VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi will become a modern city by 2030, President of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, Tran Ngoc Chinh told the Hanoi Moi (New Hanoi) newspaper.

Hanoi will become a modern city by 2030 – File photo

What do you think about the architectural changes Hanoi has undergone since 2008?

The National Assembly's decision to enlarge Hanoi's administrative border was a step in the process to turn the capital city into the nation's centre for politics, economics, culture and international cooperation.

Currently, the city's natural area covers about 3,350 sq.km with a population of nearly 7 million people. It has now become one of the world's largest capital cities.

Since 2008, quite a number of new and well furbished urban clusters have been established. Tall buildings and good infrastructure have made the city become more elegant and beautiful.

Can you explain the planned transition towards a civilised and modern city?

A: Following the capital expansion, the government invited foreign architectural firms to offer their ideas for the Hanoi Master Plan by 2030 and vision for 2050.

Responding to Vietnam's request, many foreign firms offered their bids. In July, 2011, the proposal by the international consulting group of Perkins Eastman (USA) and Posco E&C and Jine (the Republic of Korea), or PPJ was officially approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Under the PPJ master plan, Hanoi will have a "green corridor", a national administrative centre and four satellite cities.

I should say the PPJ plan has considered factors relating to economic development, demographic changes, the environment and even future projections.

You are among those involved in the process of developing the Hanoi Master Plan by 2030 and vision for 2050. Do you think the master plan will respond to the city's development requirements?

After having the master plan, the next steps we have to do are to develop the sub-plans and detailed plans for each region/area or each sector. For example, the planning of the transport network, the markets, water supply and so on so forth.

By now I can say that our planning is very weak. It requires a good "conductor" to make things running smoothly and harmoniously. As we all know, the work of urban planning and management must always go together.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge in implementing Hanoi's master plan?

A: I think the overlapping responsibilities between ministries and sectors in urban management are the stumbling blocs for the city's development.

Management and competency of government officials at the grass roots level must be improved so that they will be able to perform their duties as required.

And last but not least, government officials, in what ever position they hold, should show professionalism and integrity in dealing with other people in one's work.

VNA/VNN