On October 4, the 6th session of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council was opened by chairwoman Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, with the main task to discuss establishment, implementation and management of the new urban development plan and to resolve land clearance compensations and resettlement issues.
Several property development projects are lying suspended in recent years which have had a negative impact on the living conditions of residents, said delegates at the session.
Speaking at the opening session, Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, deputy secretary of the City Party Committee and chairwoman of the Council, said the establishment, implementation and management of the city's urban development plan would affect the population in many ways.
During the two-day meeting of the People's Council, the delegates will discuss ways to remove or ease this negative impact and help stabilize people's lives.
In discussion groups, the HCMC council deputies gathered to discuss and find solutions to the projects that have been suspended for many years in the City.
Summarizing recommendations of voters, Pham Van Hai, vice-chairman of the HCMC Fatherland Front Committee said that in past years they had conducted planning and implementation of projects but many problems existed that affected people’s lives in these project areas, and hence they had to be shelved.
Hai stressed that there are still numerous projects lying suspended for the last 10-20 years, such as development in the village of Doi in Ward 15 of Go Vap District over an area of 40 hectares. The area was planned to be the ‘green lung’ of the City but up till now nothing has happened for 14 years.
He also mentioned the project at Thanh Da in Ward 28 of Binh Thanh District, which has been on hold for 12 years from date of approval.
Deputy Tran Trong Dung told the delegates at the session that the idea of urban planning was to harmonize the interests of the state, investors and residents, but the fact is contrary to the theory, as too many people suffer from these negative impacts.
It is unreasonable that people have to suffer inconveniences and for such delays we have no means to punish investors, Dung stated.
Dao Anh Kiet, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, defended urban planning, arguing that more than 50 percent of the compensation needed for site clearance has been completed on 45 projects. Fifty-two projects have completed with less than 50 percent of the compensation amount for site clearance.
He disclosed that of the 882 housing projects that have been licensed in the city, investors have completed land handovers, site-clearance compensation and infrastructure development for 785 projects.
Most of the 1,143 property projects to develop warehouses, office buildings and business centers have completed compensation for site clearance. According to the City People's Committee, most delays in compensation for site clearance are projects that are funded from the State budget.
Vice Chairman Nguyen Huu Tin shared the same view with Kiet, explaining that the City will also consider the feasibility and progress of certain projects as well as adjustments to urban-planning schemes until 2025, which has been approved by the Government.
The 1:2000 ratio and the regulations for management of the existing City Center will also be on the agenda.
According to figures released by the People's Committee, HCMC is forecast to have about 10 million people by 2025, plus some 2.5 million non-residents with temporary stays of less than six months.
The City's total population would be 7-7.4 million residents in inner districts and 2.6-3 million in suburban districts in future.
With such a huge population, the city is expected to allocate 90,000-100,000 hectares for construction, with 49,000 hectares in inner districts, and 40,000 to 50,000 hectares in suburban districts.
