Eliminate "slum" areas in Hanoi's development

Create a breakthrough development

On the sidelines of the National Assembly, Nguoi Dua Tin (NDT) listened to the sharing from National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong (Hanoi delegation) about the Capital Law (amended) that will be considered for approval at the 7th session. Mr. Cuong affirmed the cooperation of each National Assembly Deputy with the Hanoi city government in creating together a superior and most suitable legal framework for the development of the Capital.

Investor: Dear delegates, at the 7th Session, the National Assembly will consider and pass the Law on the Capital (amended). After receiving and explaining the opinions at the 6th Session, how do you evaluate the draft law submitted to this session?

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong: When drafting the Law, all National Assembly deputies wish to convey their thoughts, aspirations, and wishes, as well as those of the people of the whole country, into mechanisms for the development of the Capital, not just for Hanoi. Hanoi must fulfill the responsibility and mission entrusted by the people and voters as well as all localities, which is to build the Capital into a representative face for the whole country.

In this session, the National Assembly will simultaneously discuss and approve three very important contents: the Capital planning, the Capital master planning and the Capital Law. This is a very rare opportunity to create a breakthrough, create orientations and legal basis to implement these orientations.

Capital planning is to create general development orientations, overall development, and long-term development for the capital, to turn the capital into a representative image of the country, worthy of comparison with the capitals of other countries in the world.

There needs to be truly clear and truly superior regulations specifically for the Capital.

Currently, the draft Law on the Capital has been basically completed. Especially the spirit of decentralization, empowerment and responsibility for Hanoi, must carry out missions to create a breakthrough development.

However, there are still some areas that need to have really clear and truly outstanding regulations for the Capital. A typical issue that is causing many concerns is the exploitation and development of the city on both sides of the Red River, how to turn the Red River into the central axis of culture, ecology and tourism of the city.

If we still keep the two regulations as in the draft Law that the construction of riverside works must comply with the regulations of the Law on Dykes, it means that all the riverside corridors of Hanoi will be the same as the riverside corridors of all other provinces. Accordingly, the current state of desolation will continue and it will be impossible to create a face for the development of the capital.

This is something that needs to be re-adjusted, to create a separate mechanism for Hanoi in exploiting both banks of the Red River, Duong River, as well as other rivers in the area.

Investor: Urban planning is a difficult problem, causing frustration in Hanoi. Hanoi has witnessed two fires that caused catastrophic consequences in terms of human lives and property. When discussing the Law on the Capital (amended), what opinions will delegates have?

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong: We all see the shortcomings in urban development in Hanoi and it has left behind very unfortunate and unpredictable consequences. Thus, the Capital Law and the Capital planning must aim to solve the current pressing issues.

For example, in the past, according to the law, many areas within the so-called historic inner city boundaries were almost not allowed to invest in too much renovation.

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong talks to the press in the hallway of the National Assembly.

Because of the control of investment and development indicators of historical inner-city areas, there are many old apartment buildings that have not been renovated for many years, many self-built houses that do not meet technical requirements, do not meet fire safety requirements, as well as living environment conditions. But there is no mechanism to renovate or change these conditions.

In the Capital Law, I think it is necessary to create a legal framework to determine which areas are truly conservation areas, which are truly historical areas such as the Old Quarter, to protect the historical value of Thang Long - Hanoi, or important architectural works or areas with historical development factors.

The remaining areas must come up with investment and renovation models according to the modern urban model. The capital cannot be allowed to develop spontaneously, with people building according to their own subjective will without following large urban planning standards.

If we can do that, we will solve current problems, such as spontaneous urban development, or residential areas that do not meet standards or many "slovenly" areas that are not worthy of the capital.

Need a plan to renovate the "slovenly" area

Investor: Regarding fire prevention and fighting, especially when fires occur in long, narrow alleys, what suggestions do you have to solve this problem not only in Hanoi but also in other large cities?

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong: Obviously, areas that do not meet the requirements for fire prevention, fire fighting, rescue, or do not have space for public activities must have renovation plans to turn those areas from urgent to modern civilized development.

This is completely possible. Because most of the areas that are very messy and shabby are located in the most central areas of the capital and are all in locations that, if well renovated, will become areas of high economic value.

The problem is to create a legal framework to allow changes, to exploit underground space, overhead space and have a modern public infrastructure system, especially a public transport system with large transport volume, such as urban railways.

Both the Capital Planning and the Capital Law give priority to the development of public transport systems, especially railway transport.

If that can be done, areas with high population density and many low-rise buildings can be completely converted into areas with a few high-rise buildings to increase living space.

The ground space will become green space, public space, underground space, traffic space and service development space. I think that the areas that are currently in urgent need all meet this planning.

Investor: In your opinion, what will Hanoi have to sacrifice in the process of renovation, development and becoming a representative image for the whole country?

The urban renovation mechanism does not only solve people's concerns.

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong: The first thing that must be exchanged is the concept and habit. Because everyone nowadays wants to live in a house on the ground and does not have the habit of living in a high-rise house. Although, the living conditions in an apartment can be many times better than in a house on the ground.

Regarding the mechanism, we also have to change. Specifically, the urban renovation mechanism not only solves the people's concerns but it is also the responsibility of the State and the government. There must be an investment mechanism.

For example, the public transport infrastructure system must be invested by the State. Without investment, the problem of population concentration cannot be solved.

To change people's psychology, habits, and lifestyle, we can give people the opportunity to choose opportunities to change.

If people accept to give up living in slums and move to higher ground, they will be converted. Those who still have the habit of living on the ground will be given the opportunity to move out of the area.

The city center must be planned into modern development areas, not spread out on the ground. Thus, there will be no more free space for public activities and green activities for the city.

Investor: So, how many years will it take Hanoi to achieve this development goal, sir?

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Van Cuong: Developing the capital is a process, not a short-term measure. We set a goal that by 2045, Vietnam must be a high-income country and on par with developed countries. In particular, the capital planning also sets a goal that by 2050, Hanoi must be a leading capital compared to other countries in the region and on par with the capitals of advanced countries in the world.

This is the set roadmap and whether it can be achieved or not will depend on how we exploit the special and superior regulations and mechanisms for the Capital.

At the same time, it also requires a very high determination not only from the Capital government in implementing the transformation process, but also requires the concentration of huge resources from the whole society. From there, creating a truly breakthrough face of the Capital and worthy of being a developed country by 2045.

Investor: Sincerely thank you, delegates !

Hoang Bich - Thu Huyen

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/sua-luat-thu-do-xoa-so-khu-vuc-nhech-nhac-trong-phat-trien-ha-noi-a665511.html