Da Nang-taken distinctive approaches to urban planning and construction have brought up a distinct urban facelift for itself. It is worth lauding that the reasonable adjustments to the strategic master plan for major developments in Da Nang to 2030, with a vision to 2045 have already been completed till date with the aim of securing the city’s position as the Central Viet Nam economic hub. The new adjustments have been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

The application the ‘compacted / high-density urban’ model will be conducted for public space expansion.

Under the master plan to 2030, Da Nang’s total population will reach about 1.97 million, whilst land resources earmarked for urban construction will stand at more than 34,000 ha, accounting for more than 35.5% of the city’s total area.

Da Nang is on its ambitious journey of becoming a part of the global supply chain network, the country’s gateway to the East-West Economic Corridor, as well as seeking a berth in the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) and developing itself into a tourism, service and economic hub by 2030.

Da Nang urban landscape structure will feature waterfront, green-covered, hillside and ecological zones. Work is promised to start on the creation of the two so-called ‘economic belts’, namely the northern part boasting high-tech industry and seaport- logistics, and the southern part showing off innovations and hi-tech agriculture.

With regard to technical infrastructure orientations, focus will be on increasing the Da Nang International Airport’s annual capacity of handling 30 million passengers by 2030.

Also, the development of a tunnel connecting the city’s airport with a road network in the western part, and the construction of new coach stations in the northern and western parts of the city serving vehicles heading towards the Central Highlands have been added to the master plan. Meanwhile, the existing Da Nang coach station will serve inter-provincial bus routes only.

Besides, a tunnel stretching through the city’s new railway station and a highway connecting with the city’s western part will be built in the future.

Urban infrastructure has been thriving in the city’s northwest part.

From 2021, Da Nang will muster up all its strengths to build up a synchronous infrastructure system with a special heed paid to ensuring a modern urban space in harmony with the nature, a marine urban structure imbued with its own special characteristics, and developing more eco-friendly urban centres in the western and northwestern parts of the city.

In particular, the application the ‘compacted / high-density urban’ model will be taken into account for the sake of public space expansion. This is an urban planning and urban design concept, which promotes relatively high residential density with mixed land uses. It is based on an efficient public transport system and has an urban layout which – according to its advocates – encourages walking and cycling, low energy consumption and reduced pollution.

In addition, urban reconstruction projects will be carried out on a trial basis in some parts of the Hai Chau and Thanh Khe districts.

Work is also expected to start on the construction of the Da Nang Intelligent Operations Centre (IOC), which acts as the brain and central nervous system of a smart city, integrating and interconnecting information and processes, and providing a platform for cutting-edge technology, operations, and management.

Besides, another attention will be paid to enhancing the quality and efficiency of natural resources, protecting the ecological environment, and strengthening forest management, nature conservation, biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Given its great efforts in placing the master plan on the spotlight of its long-term and sustainable development, along with its important geopolitical position in the country, Da Nang is still in need of more active support from the national government agencies so that it can maintain on its feet to fulfill its socio-economic targets.

By TRIEU TUNG – Translated by A.T