Da Nang Authorities Respond to Concerns Over High-Rise Projects Along River, Coast

Da Nang, Vietnam – The rapid development of high-rise apartment buildings along the Han River and coastal areas of Da Nang is drawing scrutiny, with the city's Department of Construction addressing concerns about infrastructure strain and urban planning. While the city aims for modernization and economic growth, the visible impact on traffic and public spaces is becoming a significant talking point among residents and officials.

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After merging, the signs of increased pressure on traffic infrastructure are becoming increasingly evident.

The Department of Construction has acknowledged that the integration of new urban areas and the subsequent increase in population density are indeed placing greater pressure on the city's transportation network. During peak tourist seasons, congestion has become noticeable at key intersections, particularly in the central districts and popular tourist zones. This situation highlights a common challenge in rapidly urbanizing cities: balancing development with the capacity of existing infrastructure.

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The orientation and licensing of high-rise construction along the Han River are only carried out on the basis of urban plans and zoning plans approved by the competent authorities.

Officials emphasize that the issuance of permits for high-rise structures, especially along the scenic Han River, is strictly governed by approved urban and zoning plans. They maintain that development is carefully managed, with regulations in place for building height, density, and setbacks to ensure compliance with current standards. However, the sheer scale of projects like the Capital Square 2 and 3, which will introduce a cluster of 14 high-rise apartment blocks, raises questions about the cumulative impact and the adequacy of these regulations in the long run.

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The orientation of development is studied for each area, each section, each block. At the same time, reasonably control the height, construction density, land use coefficient, building setbacks, ensuring compliance with regulations.

From a Vietnamese perspective, particularly within Da Nang, the development narrative is complex. While the city is lauded for its potential and attractiveness to investors, there's a growing local conversation about preserving the city's livability and unique character. The focus on infrastructure upgrades, including improving public transport like buses and exploring urban rail, alongside smarter traffic management, signals an effort to mitigate the negative consequences of rapid growth. The long-term vision of re-evaluating urban distribution and potentially moving some facilities southwards suggests a proactive approach to managing future expansion, aiming to create a more sustainable and less congested urban environment. The sheer number of apartments being added – over 3,300 from the Capital Square projects alone – underscores the scale of transformation underway.

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We need to promote solutions to improve infrastructure service capacity such as: handling illegal parking, clearing sidewalks, restoring pedestrian access, strengthening public transport services like buses and urban railways.