Ho Chi Minh City cooperates in developing TOD urban areas, towards a connected super city

Many international experts, especially from the UK, have shared their experiences in implementing TOD, from financial mechanisms, legal frameworks to choosing models suitable for Vietnam's conditions, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.

On the morning of September 23, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City organized a workshop on "Improving the capacity to implement public transport orientation (TOD)" and the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Commonwealth and Development of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Attending the workshop were: Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Mr. Matt Western, Member of the UK Parliament , Trade Envoy of the UK Government to Vietnam; Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam; Ms. Alexandra Smith, Consul General of the UK in Ho Chi Minh City...

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong delivered the opening speech. Photo: QUOC HUNG

In his opening speech, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that the city is at a pivotal stage when it has just merged with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces, expanding its space to more than 6,700 km², with about 14 million people. In the new stature, Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a regional megacity, a center of finance, trade, logistics, high technology and sea tourism, while playing a key role in the national and regional economic and creative network.

With the advantage of converging all 5 types of transportation including road, rail, air, sea and waterway, Ho Chi Minh City is gradually affirming its position as a center of inter-regional and international connections. In the development orientation, the TOD model - public transport-oriented urban - is considered a key strategy to build a smart, sustainable city. The city aims to put 355km of urban railway into operation by 2035, and at the same time develop TOD areas according to Resolution 38 to solve traffic problems, promote trade and improve quality of life.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Photo: QUOC HUNG

Ho Chi Minh City has determined to implement TOD in three phases: from 2025–2030, focusing on metro lines 1, 2 and Ring Road 3; from 2030–2045, expanding metro lines 3, 4, 6, and the extension line to Binh Duong and Vung Tau; after 2045, the closed metro network will be completed with lines 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

In the first 5 years, the city selected 11 pilot locations around metro stations and Ring Road 3 such as Area C30, Phuoc Long station, 29ha Long Binh area or Tan Kien station area. The selective pilot method is considered appropriate, helping to gradually form an urban ecosystem associated with modern public transport. At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City is planning land use around metro stations, auctioning and calling for investment to effectively exploit land value and reinvest in transport infrastructure.

According to the representative of the HCMC Urban Development Management Board, to implement it widely, the city needs to synchronize many solutions: detailed planning, timely site clearance, transparent financial mechanism according to the land value sharing model, attracting PPP investment and ensuring social housing development in TOD areas. In particular, it is necessary to soon establish a specialized agency to coordinate, avoid overlap and increase implementation efficiency.

At the workshop, many international experts, especially from the UK, shared their experiences in implementing TOD, from financial mechanisms, legal frameworks to choosing models suitable for Vietnam's conditions.

Ho Chi Minh City leaders expect that cooperation with the UK and international partners will open up great opportunities in infrastructure development, helping the city realize its “super-connected” vision, becoming a regional economic and financial center and improving the quality of life for its people.

QUOC HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-hop-tac-phat-trien-do-thi-tod-huong-toi-sieu-do-thi-ket-noi-post814305.html