A four-floor underground terminal has been completed near the Opera House in HCM City. The terminal links Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi streets under the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line 1. VNA/VNS. Photo Tien Luc

The underground spaces will connect to areas near metro lines, according to the department.

Nguyen Thanh Nha, head of the department, said that an international contest to seek ideas for the underground space planning has been approved by the People's Committee.

Architect Khuong Van Muoi, former chairman of the HCM City Association of Architects, said that facilities in the underground space would relieve pressure above ground and provide additional parking space as well security and defense.

Underground spaces connecting metro lines and public transport vehicles will be important, and the main metro stations should have many services, with underground tunnels connecting markets, trade centers, and others, he said.

The city's current planning projects include underground space at Quach Thi Trang Square and the 23.9 park that will connect to metro stations in the Ben Thanh area in District 1.

On the streets of Le Loi, Nguyen Hue, and Ham Nghi, more services will be developed to attract tourists, and on Ton Duc Thang Street, a parking area will be built and a pedestrian street will connect the metro station in the Ba Son area and waterway transport along the Sai Gon River.

The basements of hotels and shopping centres along these streets should be connected with each other and to metro lines, experts have said.

Financing is the biggest obstacle for underground space planning, Muoi said, adding that the city faces a budget shortfall for above-ground space.

He said the city should call on the private sector for additional investment in underground space planning.

Experts have said that foreign consultants should be hired because they have practical experience in planning and spatial design. However, collecting initial data should be done by a local consultant because they will understand the actual situation and be able to research geological information and collect data for underground projects, Muoi said.

While waiting for the complete underground space planning, the city also needs to collect information about existing underground facilities such as parking lots and shopping centres so that new management regulations can be drawn up. VNS 

HCM City seeks ideas for underground space planning through international competitions

The HCM City Department of Planning and Architecture has reported to the city People’s Committee on underground space planning and underground space management regulations.