HoREA proposes that HCMC recalculate the method of determining population in apartment buildings

(CLO) On November 26, the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) sent a document proposing that Ho Chi Minh City should recalculate the method of determining population in apartment buildings, in the direction of increasing the average housing area of ​​residents to create a better quality living environment.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction is seeking comments on a draft regulation on methods for determining population in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings. The draft proposes two calculation methods, including determining according to the target of 3.5 people/apartment or determining according to the structure of the rooms and the corresponding apartment usable area (for example, a 25-40 m2 apartment has 1 person; a 40-60 m2 apartment has 2 people; a 60-80 m2 apartment has 3 people).

In a document providing comments to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, Mr. Le Hoang Chau, Chairman of HoREA, proposed to amend and supplement Clause 1, Article 4 of the "Draft Regulations" in the direction of increasing the average housing area used by people.

HoREA proposed that HCMC recalculate the method of determining population in apartment buildings. (Photo: ST)

Giving reasons for proposing to increase the usable area of ​​apartment buildings, HoREA affirmed that the adjustment creates a better quality living environment, suitable for the needs of society.

Specifically, HoREA said that referring to the method of determining the population of apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings stipulated in Decision No. 34/2024/QD-UBND dated May 27, 2024 of the Hanoi People's Committee is more reasonable in the direction of increasing the average housing area of ​​people to create a better quality living environment compared to the "Draft Regulation" of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

For example, with a 2-person apartment, Hanoi allows planning for apartments up to 70 m2; but in Ho Chi Minh City, it is expected to only allow up to 60 m2. Meanwhile, both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are special-class urban areas and are oriented to develop into multi-center urban areas with many satellite cities in the outlying districts (Thu Duc City belongs to Ho Chi Minh City) and suburban districts where there is a large land fund, creating a quality living space for families.

In addition, according to Mr. Le Hoang Chau - Chairman of HoREA, in terms of calculating the population in apartment buildings, the two methods of Ho Chi Minh City are contradictory to each other. Specifically, compared to Hanoi, the average calculation method of Ho Chi Minh City is decreasing in population density; however, if calculated by m2 of use, Ho Chi Minh City shows an increase in density when dividing the area into smaller areas.

Regarding the social situation, by dividing the area into smaller areas, Ho Chi Minh City is going against the trend and policy of increasing the usable area of ​​people, creating a better quality living environment. For example, with an apartment for 2 people, in Hanoi, it can be planned to be 70m2; but in Ho Chi Minh City, it is only a maximum of 50m2. This is also inconsistent with the orientation when Ho Chi Minh City is aiming to develop urban areas in satellite areas, new central areas, where there is a large land fund, creating a quality living space for families.

Therefore, the Association recommends that the Department of Construction submit to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to reconsider issuing the "Decision on promulgating regulations on methods for determining population in apartment buildings and mixed-use apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City" in the most reasonable way to orient the development of new urban areas and residential areas and renovate and redevelop existing modern urban areas, improve housing quality and increase the average housing area for people because currently, the average housing area per capita in Ho Chi Minh City is only about 23 m2/person, lower than the average housing area per capita of 27.8 m2 in 2023 of the whole country.

"HCMC needs to have a reasonable calculation method, increase the number of people/apartment or the area of ​​apartment/person, thereby improving the quality of life of urban residents. HCMC should also refer to Hanoi, should not divide the area of ​​use too small, going against the policy of improving the quality of urban life", Chairman Le Hoang Chau affirmed.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/horea-de-xuat-tp-hcm-tinh-lai-phuong-phap-xac-dinh-dan-so-trong-cac-toa-chung-cu-post322949.html