Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam has plans to develop multi-purpose riverside infrastructure along the Saigon River by 2040. The plans, which include a road from District 1 to the outlying Củ Chi District, come following instruction from Lê Hòa Bình, standing vice chairman of the city’s People’s Committee, to adjust the city urban planning, reports the Vietnamese newspaper The Star.
The Saigon river passes through the city centre and has the potential for economic services, as well as public activities and entertainment services, according to Nguyễn Thanh Nhã, director of the Department of Planning and Architecture in Ho Chi Minh City. Along the banks there are between 3,100 and 5,000 hectares of land that could be used to plant trees, build traffic infrastructure, and provide space for the public and businesses, he adds.
Lê Hòa Bình is quoted in the article as saying, “The move aims to improve the scenery and public utilities along the river, and reinforce the city’s capabilities in addressing floods, erosion global warming.” He urged the Department of Planning and Architecture to complete the changes to urban planning for submission to the Government in June, according to the article.
