Vinh City: Infrastructure pressure from apartment development

Lack of campus and parking

In recent times, basic construction investment projects have been implemented in accordance with current regulations; with the consensus of all levels, sectors and localities. The projects, when completed, are in line with the spatial development orientation of Vinh city, contributing to improving urban architecture and landscape; meeting the housing needs of Vinh urban residents.

A high-rise apartment building on Le Loi Street has narrow surrounding infrastructure. Photo: Tran Chau

However, the construction of high-rise apartment buildings has and will put pressure on Vinh's urban infrastructure, while investors seem to "forget" this issue.

In fact, in the city, there are many independent apartment buildings built with dozens of floors on narrow plots of land, the construction density does not meet the prescribed ratio and the surrounding area for parking and transactions is limited. According to the reflection of residents of some apartment buildings, the building does not have a campus as originally planned; or if there is, the campus is very narrow, close to the sidewalk; and the basement parking of the apartment building is too cramped. In many apartment buildings, residents often have to leave their cars on the street.

Vinh city still lacks parking lots.

Another problem is schools. For example, in Quang Trung ward, which has recently invested in building many apartment buildings, the kindergartens and primary schools here tend to be overloaded because the number of students enrolling in school increases rapidly every year.

Infrastructure connection is not guaranteed

According to Vinh city's report, currently, the scale of the projects is mainly small; some independent apartments, some projects are interspersed in residential areas, lacking social infrastructure, accompanying public services such as: Trung Duc High-class Trade and Service Center; Nghe An Petroleum Building in Quang Trung Ward; Sao Nghe Commercial Service and Apartment Project in Hung Binh Ward... causing great pressure on the social infrastructure system (schools, medical stations, entertainment areas, sports...), available technical infrastructure of the area, forcing the State to invest to overcome.

Inadequate infrastructure connection is a cause of flooding during the rainy season. Photo courtesy

Regarding construction planning indicators, Vinh city said: Land for housing construction of high-rise apartment buildings accounts for a large proportion; while construction planning indicators for parking lots (most apartment projects), public works, cultural institutions, trees, roads... still apply the minimum level: Small sidewalks (2 - 3m) leading to difficulties in building water supply, electricity supply, drainage, public lighting infrastructure and arranging trees along the roads.

Some urban and residential areas have been adjusted many times during the planning process; the adjustments are often in the direction of increasing construction density, reducing green and public areas, changing the original planning goals and nature, etc.

"There are some feasible apartment projects in terms of traffic connections between projects that are not guaranteed. Then there are the leveling, drainage, power stations, fire water supply systems, wastewater drainage... between urban areas, neighboring residential areas; between new areas and existing residential areas, the approved detailed planning of wards and communes is different. This can easily lead to local flooding, environmental pollution and other problems in urban areas, residential areas of the city" - Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thang, Vinh Urban Management City said:

Too many cars parked in front of the apartment building narrow the road. Photo: Hoang Hao

Sharing by Mr. Nguyen Hoai An - Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said: Currently, Vinh City is the busiest destination for real estate projects. In principle, when investors come to the city, the city must ensure infrastructure for investors. However, there are investors who, although they see that the city's infrastructure is not guaranteed, still "volunteer" to invest and commit to connecting to the city's common infrastructure. And there are also many investors who, after completing their projects, do not fully connect to the city's common infrastructure, causing flooding like in the past, especially in new areas like Vinh Tan. Or some projects interspersed with residential areas do not ensure surrounding conditions for the residents there.

So how can Vinh city have standard urban areas, with hospitals, schools, and full services for its residents?

The city is currently implementing two major projects in Dong Vinh (implemented by Korean consultants) and in Vinh Tan by French consultants. When completed, these will be standard urban areas that meet standards and reduce pressure on Vinh city's current infrastructure. In addition, the city also requests investors to pay attention to investing in infrastructure according to design and ensuring quality./.