The owner of The Canopy complex in Dak Lak was fined VND12.5 million for planting 22 trees on a sidewalk without permission.
The chairman of Tan Lap Ward People's Committee in Dak Lak fined the owner of The Canopy, a complex with a cafe, restaurant and play area, VND12.5 million. He had planted 22 trees on the sidewalk along Vo Nguyen Giap Street without permission and in breach of regulations.
He was also ordered to restore the damaged section of sidewalk to its original condition.
After the report was published, Dân trí readers said sidewalks are public space and should be managed consistently, while keeping the streetscape orderly and pedestrian paths clear.
Reader Nguyen An wrote: "If everyone plants trees and decorates the space in their own way, what do government specialists do? Each person would decorate the area outside their home differently, and eventually the sidewalk would become an extension of their house."
User Ticy agreed that sidewalks should be designed consistently, kept tidy and clean, and left open for pedestrians. The user said residents often alter sidewalks and tree pits without permission in Hanoi.
Reader Dien Gia Dung asked: "If you occupy the sidewalk to make it look good for yourself, how are pedestrians supposed to get around? Walk in the street?"
Reader Khoa Nguyen Dang took the opposite view, saying that decorations could significantly improve the streetscape. In the reader's opinion, residents should be allowed to do this if the work does not block the path or alter the sidewalk's original design.
User Nguyen Minh Quang responded: "Arbitrary changes can easily turn public land into private land and lead to encroachment. That is why written approval from the competent authority and a number of commitments are needed, rather than simply doing whatever one wants."
"Beauty depends on your taste. Tomorrow I might decide bamboo is beautiful and dig up the sidewalk to plant a bamboo grove," reader Minh Triet replied.
Authorities previously found that the owner of The Canopy had workers use machinery. The work damaged 50 square metres of zoysia grass, four plastic sprinkler heads and another 80 square metres of turf.
The business also planted 22 date palms and Washingtonia palms on the sidewalk in front of the venue without permission.
The owner paid the fine more than two months after the penalty decision. However, the 22 date palms and Washingtonia palms are still on the sidewalk, and the area has not been restored as required.
The sidewalk leading to the cafe was also decorated with several water jars, flowers and other landscaping elements.
Tan Lap authorities said they support private organisations taking part in urban landscaping. Such work must comply with the law: permission must be obtained first, and the work can begin only after written approval.
Sources: Dân Trí
