Da Nang is conducting a competition for architectural planning plans for squares and museums along the axis from the Da Nang Administrative Centre, Bach Dang, Tran Phu streets and a number of related administrative headquarters in Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District. The competition aims to find and select the optimal planning and architectural plan as a basis for implementing investment design and construction of a worthy central square of the city, with the nature of being a historical and cultural square chemistry.

Here is a perspective of the planning scope and architecture of the Da Nang central square. Photo: PV

Historical and cultural square

The Da Nang Urban Development and Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Board and the Construction Technical Consulting Centre under the Da Nang Department of Construction are coordinating to organise a competition for the planning and architecture of this central square in 75 days, to search and select the optimal planning and architectural plan, meeting the requirements of planning, architecture, culture, socio-economic efficiency, national defense, security and environmental protection  as a basis for implementing investment design and building worthy squares.

This is a square with the nature of a historical and cultural square, a place to record the mark of Da Nang people representing the people of the whole country at the forefront of the resistance war against foreign invaders, and this is an address for historical and cultural education for younger generations.

This square is a large public space for the organisation of cultural exchange activities, political festivals and daily activities to serve both residents and tourists. The square is also a dynamic site at night, a multi-purpose and diverse public space with a combination of architectural elements, building landscapes, trees and water surface.

The planning scope of the Da Nang centre square has a total area of 16.2 hectares, divided into 3 areas. Specifically, Area A covers an area of 10.69 hectares, limited by Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ly Tu Trong, Quang Trung streets, and the west bank of the Han River. Area B has an area of 2.37 hectares, at the marina location (the Song Han port). Area C has an area of 3.16 hectares, limited by Tran Phu and Quang Trung streets, the west bank of the Han River, and the Han River bridge (including the Da Nang Museum at 42-44 Bach Dang and 31 Tran Phu; the Da Nang General Science Library).

The scope of research to expand the planning area comprises of entire Bach Dang Street and the Han River western bank from Han River Bridge to Hoa Binh Park (the end of Bach Dang Street); roads around the planned area include Tran Phu, Ly Tu Trong, Quang Trung and Nguyen Chi Thanh.

Within the planning scope, there are high-rise buildings including Novotel Hotel (37 floors high), Software Park No. 1 (19 floors high), Da Nang Administrative Centre (34 floors); Dien Hai Citadel national relic site, especially the oldest and only remaining road sign of the former Tourane urban area at the corner of Bach Dang - Thanh Dien Hai Street; a parking lot south of the Da Nang Administration Centre; a park north of Thanh Dien Hai; a park south of the Novotel Hotel;  a tennis court, a Indochina coffee shop and public yard area (book garden planning according to the approved planning); restaurants and marinas; existing residential areas follow the routes of Quang Trung, Nguyen Chi Thanh and Ly Tu Trong.

Da Nang is looking for planning and architectural plans for the city’s central square in the area. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Both take the entrance exam and set up investment policies

The planning and architectural orientation of the central square is to reorganise the landscape architectural space in the eastern area of Dien Hai Citadel into a public square facing the Han River. Entire Bach Dang Street in the future will be organised into a walking street along the Han River, extending from the foot of Tran Thi Ly to Thuan Phuoc bridges to form a unified spatial axis.

The existing tennis court and public yard areas are built into parking lots, underground parking and renovating the surface of the existing surface parking lot in the south of the Da Nang Administration Centre. The square's surface space is connected to the water surface space, with additional decorative items such as water music and artistic lights arranged.

The unit participating in the competition proposed converting the existing restaurant and marina areas to serve tourism and combine contemporary art and culture, reserving the status quo of the special national relic of the Dien Hai Citadel and restore the original southern gate.

At the same time, it is proposed to renovate the artistic lighting system for the facades of architectural works in sync with the square; renovate the landscape of the Han River weatern bank area adjacent to the square but do not build wharves that will impact the river bed and affect the flow, and directions to expand the square.

Director of Da Nang Construction Technical Consulting Centre Tran Van Nam said: “Through the competition, any planning or architectural plan that wins the prize and meets the set criteria and requirements will be selected. The city has proposed the design of an investment project to build the city’s central square.Director of Da Nang Infrastructure Construction and Urban Development Investment Project Management Board Nguyen Huu Nhat said that the competition aims to have a plan to design investment projects and build the city’s central square."

Along with the competition for planning and architectural plans, the unit also deploys procedures and investment policies in parallel to save maximum time to quickly deploy project construction. “The city’s center square is a key, motivating and very important project for the city, so it is implemented very methodically, focused and meticulously. Hopefully, in the competition to select architecture plans, the city will have a good plan that meets the needs and aspirations of officials and people and it is worthy of the Da Nang central square.”, said Mr. Nguyen Huu Nhat.

The total value of the contest prize is VND 950 million, consisting of one first prize worthVND 450 million, one second prize worth VND 200 million, one third prize worth VND 100 million, and one community prize worth VND 50 million. In particular, there is support for options entering the audition round (Top 5 options with high scores are taken from top to bottom, except for 3 options in Round 3): VND 150 million (VND 30 million/option).

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by A.THU