How are 13 unique ancient villas in Ho Chi Minh City being preserved?

(CLO) The Ho Chi Minh City government is developing conservation plans for unique ancient villas with high architectural, historical and cultural values ​​to preserve and promote the value of these villas.

The Center for Architectural Research (under the Department of Planning and Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City) has just released a preliminary report on the inventory and classification of old villas in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 13 unique ancient villas. Photo: PLO

Accordingly, among nearly 1,300 villas built before 1975, the Villa Classification Council advised the City People's Committee to decide to recognize 13 ancient villas in group 1.

These are villas with typical architectural values, ancient houses, many of which are also historical witnesses, contributing to enriching the urban identity.

These are well-known villas such as 60 Vo Van Tan ( Hoa Binh tourism headquarters building), 110-112 Vo Van Tan, 124 Cach Mang Thang Tam, 169 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia...

According to regulations, these villas are kept intact in terms of external architectural shape, internal structure as well as high building density.

In addition, the HCM City Villa Classification Council also advised classifying 226 villas into group 2, and the owners of these villas must keep the original exterior architecture.

According to the Center for Architectural Research, the conservation of old villas in Ho Chi Minh City has faced many difficulties in recent years.

The rapid development of housing and commercial projects has put great pressure on the preservation of old buildings. Many villas have been demolished and converted without close supervision.

Some of the villas listed in the inventory were inaccessible (54 units), either because the owners were uncooperative or because their actual locations did not match the management records. This resulted in a lack of data to compile the assessment form, causing the inventory work to be interrupted.

On the other hand, the classification of villas as well as the preservation of architectural values ​​are under great pressure due to the development requirements of Ho Chi Minh City.

Most of the valuable villas are in prime locations in the city center, so high land prices and large demand for new construction put certain pressure on classifying and preserving works of architectural, cultural and historical value.

To preserve ancient villas, the Department of Planning and Architecture also recommended that the People's Council and People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City consider reclaiming or purchasing (if privately owned) to create conditions to preserve and promote the value of these villas.

In addition, the HCM City People’s Committee requires individuals and organizations that own old villas to comply with the principles of management, use, maintenance and renovation. In particular, for old villas in group 1, the external architectural shape, internal structure, construction density, number of floors and height must be kept intact.

Group 2 villas must maintain the original exterior architecture. Group 3 villas must comply with planning, architecture and construction regulations.

Owners are not allowed to demolish old villas if they are not severely damaged and at risk of collapse according to the inspection conclusion of the Department of Construction.

In case of demolition for reconstruction, it must follow the original architecture, use the right materials, ensure construction density, number of floors and height as the old villa.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/13-biet-thu-co-doc-ban-tai-tp-hcm-dang-duoc-bao-ton-the-nao-post322985.html