In their efforts to increase urban green space, Da Nang authorities have continued to call for investment from organizations and individuals to participate in the green tree development, which focuses on building flower gardens and small gardens in residential areas and setting aside land for the public greenery.

Women in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District plant and care for local trees. Photo: Tieu Yieu

Accordingly,  the society is encouraged to participate in planting or sponsoring the planting, care and protection of urban trees; renovating and upgrading trees in parks, flower gardens, public lands, and traffic safety corridors. Individuals do not arbitrarily cut down or move trees. If there is a need to plant a new, it is necessary to consult the local authority of the place of residence.

Efforts from the local

Nai Nghia Park – Garden, Nai Hien Dong Ward, invested by Son Tra District People's Committee,  is built in 2021 with an area of 2,360m². After a period of active planting, more than 5,000 trees including about 71 fruit trees, perennials have gradually grown and given many young buds.

According to Mr Tran Huu Vy, Director of the Green Viet Biodiversity Conservation Center (GreenViet)- the main sponsor of greenery here, the centre had looked for plants suitable for soil, climate, multi-layered canopy to help regulate the air, create a vivid landscape. “Our goal does not stop at contributing to greening the city, but expecting each park to be a place where the elderly can rest and relax, children can have fun, learn, experience about nature,” said he.

Nai Nghia Park - Garden is one of five parks invested in by the Son Tra District People's Committee in 2021. The park is designed methodically, based on modern and diverse criteria, suitable for the common landscape, safe electric lighting system and has swings, exercise equipment, and seats.

As shared by Mr Hoang Cao Thang, Head of Urban Management Department, People's Committee of Son Tra District, the district has 48 plots of land planned for parks and gardens with a total area of about 130,122m2. So far, 26 parks and gardens have been invested in by the People's Committee. The rest will be phased out in the 2021-2025 period to ensure the entertainment needs of the people.

According to Mr Thang, the Department has focused on surveying, assessing demand for use, ensuring traffic, saving budget, social assets and calling on people in the area to perform their duty of care, management and protection of trees. In 2022, Son Tra District People's Committee will continue to invest and build 11 new parks and gardens with full physical and sports equipment, in line with the municipal development orientation and urban construction planning.

The need for an incentive mechanism

Creating green space is one of the crucial criteria in adjusting the general planning of Da Nang to 2030, with a vision for 2045. In which, the land fund and the density of trees play an important role, contributing to the improvement of the citywide living environment and urban landscape. Since 2018, the authorities have added more than 22 hectares of land used for planting trees.

In addition, the implementation of the project calling for investment from society to develop urban greenery has mobilized maximum resources and raised people's awareness of preserving, protecting and planting more trees. The project has also helped to reduce a part of the budget spent on public and environmental activities.

According to Mr Vo Tan Ha, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, the city authorities have decentralized management, arrange related organizations and units in the field of urban greenery and socialize the care, and maintenance of public trees.

In addition, thanks to some programs such as "Tree Planting Festival", "Green-Clean-Beautiful Sunday", " Civilized and Model Route", people have directly participated in planting and caring for green trees in front of their houses, headquarters, public areas, contributing to increasing the density of trees.

On top of that, a leader of a business suggested that Da Nang needs more incentive mechanisms, such as allowing businesses to invest in planting, tending and maintaining trees in planned parks and green gardens, combined with commercial advertising, suitable business services; or allows green tree enterprises to exploit the urban development reserve fund to build a satellite nursery system, creating a source of seed supply for the need for green tree development; publicizes information on types, specifications, planting techniques, care and pest control for trees in each area, as well as adopt a timely and appropriate form of honour and reward.

Reporting by TIEU YEN- Translating by T.VY