The fate of existing homes in Ho Chi Minh City's TOD zones will be decided during detailed planning, the director of the city's Department of Planning and Architecture, Truong Trung Kien, said.
On the morning of October 30, at the plenary discussion of the sixth session of the 11th Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, Truong Trung Kien spoke about developing the city under the TOD model, or development around public transport, and several parts of the city's master plan with a 100-year outlook.
Kien said the People's Council approved a resolution on TOD development at its previous session. The model aims to create high-density urban areas around stations, making public transport easier for residents to reach and improving the use of systems such as the metro and light rail.
Under the new master plan, metro lines and station locations will provide the basis for defining TOD development zones. After the plan is approved, authorities will set precise boundaries and prepare urban plans for each area. The study area is expected to extend about 1,000 metres from the centre of a station.
Asked about the possibility that existing homes in TOD zones could be relocated or cleared, the director of the Department of Planning and Architecture said this would be decided during the preparation of zoning and detailed plans.
"Authorities will review current conditions and development directions to identify areas for new development and concentrate projects there. If existing residential areas are suitable for remaining and being upgraded, the city may consider keeping them. New development areas will focus on implementing projects," the department director said.
After the master plan is approved, Ho Chi Minh City will publish it as required, draw up an implementation plan, identify resources and assign responsibilities to local authorities, especially in key areas. Lower-level urban and sectoral plans will also be developed in coordination.
Truong Trung Kien said the department would work with local authorities to hold seminars and training sessions. They will explain the plan's content and implementation process, discuss its feasibility and collect feedback from local communities.
Responding to a proposal to add a focus on creative industries and high technology in northern Ho Chi Minh City rather than concentrating mainly on the east, Kien said the master plan identifies five growth poles with different functions.
Each pole will not be limited to one function. It will also include high technology, innovation and education. After receiving feedback, the plan added these functions to the northern pole and set an appropriate balance between the fields.
The department will continue considering a proposal to clarify zoning boundaries to make implementation more practical as it completes the relevant planning documents.
Sources: Dân Trí
