Urban planning has been identified by Da Nang as an important and necessary goal in its development journey. In fact, in order to meet the standard of a civilised city under the guidance of the national government, Da Nang must meet some important evaluation criteria, including the content of planning urban areas approved by competent authorities and publicly announced.

New urban area formed along the extended Nguyen Tat Thanh route whose section runs through Lien Chieu District. Photo: XUAN SON

Based on this orientation, districts have actively made proposals to the municipal People's Committee on planning solutions suitable to the local socio-economic situation.

Ensuring sustainability principles

The Da Nang Master Plan for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision towards 2050, is built based on 6 principles: focusing on subdivisions with full life utility services for residents of all income classes and all ages according to the compact urban model, planning on share services, saving land and reducing living costs for each individual; environmental protection, biodiversity, historic preservation; urban areas for pedestrians and cyclists, limiting the use of personal vehicles; increasing connectivity between major large streets and small ones, thereby helping set up more commercial shopping services with street facades; prioritising public transport network planning; effectively exploiting the geographical position and natural topography.

Up to now, the city has completed the announcement of the adjustments to the Master Plan for its major developments, building an urban spatial and planning database on GIS (geographic information system) system on a trial basis under the Smart City Construction Project.

Architects. Tran Ngoc Chinh, Chairman of the Viet Nam Urban Planning and Development Association (VUPDA), said that Da Nang boasts enough strengths and advantages harmony to create its own identity.

According to him, the city is blessed with sea, rivers, mountains, forests and a moderate area to concentrate all development resources.

Not to mention, as a dynamic city in Central Viet Nam, Da Nang has received special attention from the national government on mechanisms.

Those are the necessary and sufficient conditions for Da Nang to soon complete important goals, towards sustainability, saving land fund and developing urban infrastructure interspersed with public areas, parks and green-covered spaces.

Along with the population growth with about 1.79 million people expected in 2030, including permanent population, temporary residence and tourist conversion, Da Nang has adjusted the planning, allocated population in accordance with the current state of investment projects, effectively use dthe land fund, facilitated diversification of resources for investment in infrastructure institutions and taken the initiative in budgetary capital for socio-economic. development.

As proposed by Mr. Bui Van Tieng, Chairman of the Da Nang Historical Science Association, in addition to setting aside a land fund to develop parks and gardens, creating green cores in residential areas, the new master plan needs to keep cultural and historical sites intact that mark the formation and development of the city such as communal village houses, temples, cultural works, museums, historical and spiritual relics.

At the same time, it is necessary to carefully consider and evaluate the environmental impact, especially the river, sea and mountain environment during the process of appraising investment projects.

In support for mechanism, maximize potential

According to the Prime Minister-approved project of adjusting the Da Nang Master Plan for its major developments by 2030, with a vision towards 2045, Lien Chieu District is identified as a key area for the development of industry, services and tourism and it holds a strategic, important position in terms of defense - security to the west of the city.

The local authorities have made adjustments to the planning of more than 126 projects in this district.

As reported by Mr. Nguyen Dang Huy, Chairman of the Lien Chieu People's Committee, most of the key projects such as Hue T-Junction Overpass, the extension of Hoang Van Thai road through Pham Nhu Xuong Street, Phuoc Ly urban area have been implemented on schedule.

In addition, the construction of such large-scale projects as Lien Chieu mega-port, North West axis I, Lang Van general resort and entertainment area, Nam O eco-tourism area and West Ring Road 2 have been accelerated.

It can be said that urban planning activities need to go hand in hand with urban development strategies. In particular, it is necessary to be transparent in terms of land recovery, land allocation, land use purpose change, and publicise administrative violations in the land field so that people can feel secure and increase trust in the leadership of the Party and State during the process of spurring the city’s future development.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by A.THU