Da Nang is researching transit-oriented development in urban planning  in an attempt to  solve problems related to traffic congestion, reduce the number of personal vehicles, meeting demands of pedestrians, daily commuters and tourists, as well as satisfy residents' needs for quality of life.

A corner of Da Nang (Photo:DNO)

In urban planning, transit-oriented development (TOD) is a type of urban development that maximizes the amount of residential, business and leisure space within walking distance of public transport. It promotes a symbiotic relationship between dense, compact urban form and public transport use. In doing so, TOD aims to increase public transport ridership by reducing the use of private cars and by promoting sustainable urban growth.

For Da Nang, in the content of the Da Nang Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 issued by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1287/QD-TTg dated November 2, 2023, land funds (underground, surface) are pre-arranged and suitable for terminal and transfer stations (underground, surface, elevated) of MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) systems with an orientation to boost the development of these stations according to the TOD model, synchronously connecting with other types of public passenger transport (buses, public bicycles, taxis) combined with centralised trade and service development planning.

After the current Da Nang railway station is moved out of the city centre, the available track of the national railway route will be utilised to implement urban redevelopment along the LRT corridor according to TOD orientation. The current Da Nang station area is being redeveloped into a major public passenger transport hub combining commercial and service development according to TOD orientation and CBD (central business district).

In addition to the above-mentioned TOD development directions, the city is implementing the project to renovate and upgrade National Highway 14B and once completed, the route will contribute to changing the appearance of the city's western gateway in the direction of modernity, creating new spaces for urban development, especially TOD-oriented urban development.

However, the city faces many difficulties and challenges in implementing TOD, especially lacking an experienced consulting unit to research and develop TOD, along with mechanisms, policies and mobilization of large financial resources to implement this new model.

According to Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Transport Luong Thach Vy, TOD-oriented urban development is an important development direction and has been included in the Da Nang planning.

The city has planned an urban railway system and a number of urban areas around some stations in the urban railway system. To implement this orientation, a large financial resource as well as experience in implementing TOD-related projects is needed. Yokohama in Japan has a lot of experience in building TOD models, so the Da Nang Department of Transport has asked Yokohama to cooperate with Da Nang in TOD-oriented urban development.

“Large cities in Viet Nam are researching TOD-oriented urban development, especially Ho Chi Minh City and the capital city of Ha Noi. Da Nang is also researching TOD. The Da Nang Department of Transport is researching the development of TOD along Highway 14B, both ends of the tunnel across Da Nang airport, the intersection of Nguyen Sinh Sac Street and Western Ring Road No. 2, the metro corridor”, said Mr. Luong Thach Vy.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by A.THU