HCMC must use rivers as special natural resource for future growth: Party Chief

According to him, HCMC authorities must have a strategic plan in zoning rivers and linking embankment construction with land use around rivers because after construction of embankment, land prices around rivers will rise, bringing an important financial support for re-investment.

Mr. Nhan noticed that some countries have made mistakes in urban planning, HCMC therefore should learn from their lesson to avoid the mistakes.

By the end of 2019, the municipal People’s Committee must outline a plan for embankment construction and land use around rivers and canals from now to 2030 with the vision to 2050.

To carry out the plan, Mr. Nhan suggested ongoing seminars on lessons of other countries in zoning and using land around rivers and canals. Additionally, HCMC needs to work with experts upon the matter of the flooding and drainage system in the city to work out long-term solutions in fighting flooding.

More importantly, HCMC should take heed of technology adoption and employment of technique to cut down cost.

The project in the form of public-private partnership involves State agencies, investors, and people who will be affected by construction projects.

Another solution suggested by Secretary Nhan was some solutions which HCMC authorities have applied in building dykes. Base on reality, HCMC should check all hiccups along the way to carry out the new project.

Head of the Vietnam' Environmental Science and Development Institute Dr. Le Trinh was against concrete embankment dams but using soft intraocular ecological embankment for ecological benefit and money saving.

He also opposed construction of restaurants or other facilities in river corridors as he took Da Nang as an example. The central city of Da Nang has allowed investors to build facilities in river corridors and beaches but city’s residents didn’t gain benefit from these facilities.

Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuc from the Institute of Immigration said the city should draw a map of geography for general management as well as connect the old infrastructure with new ones while Head of the National Institute of Architecture Do Thanh Tung suggested to include rivers and canals into the city’s general zoning plan.