The HCM City Department of Transport has sent the City People's Committee a proposal for expansion of the pedestrian street project in the downtown area.

The proposal also includes criteria for the management agency to consider when new pedestrian streets are approved for opening.

This project will be carried out in three phases between 2022 and 2025.

During the first phase from 2022 and 2023, new pedestrian streets will be opened at the International Square roundabout, Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Cong Xa Paris (from Le Duan Street to Nguyen Du Street), Dong Khoi Street (from Nguyen Du Street to Le Loi Street), Le Loi Street (from Nguyen Hue Street to Quach Thi Trang roundabout), Phan Chu Trinh Street and Phan Boi Chau Street.

Vehicles will be banned from passing through these streets during specified times.

Priority will be given to walking on Nguyen An Ninh and Luu Van Lang streets. Vehicles will be limited from traveling in and out of these streets.

During the second phase from 2023 and 2024, the city will expand the length of pedestrian streets on weekends on Dong Khoi Street (from Le Loi Street to Ton Duc Thang Street), Le Loi Street (from Nguyen Hue Street to Dong Khoi Street), Lam Son Square from Dong Khoi Street to Hai Ba Trung Street, Nguyen Thiep (from Nguyen Hue Street to Dong Khoi Street), Mac Thi Buoi Street (from Nguyen Hue Street to Dong Khoi Street) and Ngo Duc Ke Street (from Nguyen Hue Street to Dong Khoi Street).

Routes such as Dong Du Street (from Dong Khoi Street to Hai Ba Trung Street), Mac Thi Buoi (Dong Khoi Street to Hai Ba Trung Street), Ho Huan Nghiep Street, Ngo Duc Ke Street (from Dong Khoi Street to Me Linh Square), Phan Van Dat Street, and Ton Duc Thang (from Nguyen Hue Street to Me Linh Square) will give priority to walking. Vehicles will be limited from traveling in and out of these streets.

During the last phase between 2024 and 2025, weekend walking streets will include Ham Nghi Street (from Ton Duc Thang to Quach Thi Trang roundabout).

Vehicles will be limited on Ton That Dam Street (from Ham Nghi Street to Huynh Thuc Khang Street), Thai Van Lung Street and Thi Sach Street.

On a different note, safety, security, attractiveness, level of access, demand, connectivity and community support are among some criterion that management agencies need to consider when carrying out pedestrian street projects.

Expansion of pedestrian streets is also part of the city's long-term goal of reducing the number of cars entering the downtown area, improving the quality of people's living environment, and promoting the development of tourism, commerce and services in the area where multiple historical relics and architectural works are located. 

Source: Vietnam News