Vacant land plots that had been abandoned for many years in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, in wards such as Ben Thanh, Saigon, Xuan Hoa, and Cho Quan, have gradually had their barriers removed since mid-January, transforming them into parks, gardens, and open spaces for the community.
Awakening abandoned gold mines.
The "revival" of prime land plots that had been neglected for many years in the heart of the city's most vibrant area, transforming them into temporary parks and gardens to serve the public during the Lunar New Year of the Horse, is a concrete implementation of the directive from the Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Tran Luu Quang, regarding increasing green spaces and adding public recreational areas to the city center.
Ly Thai To Park No. 1 is a typical public project in Ho Chi Minh City that "revived" a 4.3-hectare plot of land that had been vacant for many years and invested in entirely through a socialized model.
The city also plans to invest in public spaces for residents in these areas through a socialized model, mobilizing the participation of businesses. Each specific area is "identified," and the unit with some degree of involvement in the project is assigned responsibility for investment, initially focusing on creating a Tet holiday entertainment area for residents. Once the land plots have completed their legal documentation, the city will proceed with construction according to the overall plan.
The strategy of leveraging the prime land of projects that have yet to be developed for public works has truly become a point of contact that has garnered the agreement and support of both businesses and the public, leading to rapid implementation and completion within just a few weeks.
No longer left abandoned for years, the fenced-off plots of land, such as the Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium project in Xuan Hoa ward; the 135 Nguyen Hue plot belonging to the Tax Department Store project; the SJC building project - formerly the ITC building in Saigon ward; or 152 Tran Phu, Cho Quan ward... have immediately been revived, becoming green spaces, community meeting points, and places where city residents can express their emotions.
A series of more than a dozen vacant plots of land, left vacant for many years, have been transformed by Ho Chi Minh City into parks and recreational areas to serve the needs of the city's residents this Tet holiday.
First and foremost is the Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium project, which the City entrusted to Phat Dat for investment, aiming to create a green space with value in terms of landscape, ecology, and experience for the people.
In just over two weeks since its investment, the 1.44-hectare plot of land, with four street frontages on Vo Van Tan, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, and Pasteur streets, has opened to the public, offering a green space that meets various public needs, from landscaped areas to facilities for exercise and sports .
In addition, the organizing unit also set aside many separate areas for Tet flowers and seasonal decorations, contributing to creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere for the people.
The plot of land at 152 Tran Phu Street, Cho Quan Ward, which had been surrounded by corrugated iron fences for many years, overgrown with grass and littered with waste, causing urban blight and wasting land resources, has been revitalized following the city's policy.
A week before the Lunar New Year of the Horse, the park, spanning approximately 3,000 square meters, built on this land, was bustling with people coming to play, relax, and take pictures.
The park has just been renovated on the land previously designated for the Phan Dinh Phung Stadium project in Xuan Hoa ward.
People enjoy themselves and relax in the renovated park on the land designated for the Phan Dinh Phung Stadium project in Xuan Hoa ward.
Similarly, the Tax Department Store project, located between three major streets - Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, and Pasteur - covering 9,000 m², and the quadrilateral area of Le Thanh Ton, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Trung Truc, and Le Loi (formerly the ITC building which burned down in 2002), covering nearly 4,000 m², have also been transformed into vibrant spring parks and opened in time to welcome people to celebrate Tet.
Ms. Mai Hoa, a resident of Nguyen Trung Truc Street, said that for over 20 years, she had seen the former ITC building site enclosed by corrugated iron fences, looking quiet and desolate. Now that it has become a vibrant Tet flower garden, she is deeply moved; she sees new things, a revival of what was once a bustling commercial center of the city.
Boldly promote socialization.
The plot of land at 152 Tran Phu Street, Cho Quan Ward, which for many years was overgrown with weeds and littered with garbage, causing an eyesore, has been revitalized following a policy initiative by Ho Chi Minh City.
A giant horse mascot, measuring 7.5 meters long and weighing approximately 5 tons, along with many elaborate miniature landscapes, is attracting attention at 152 Tran Phu Park.
According to urban experts, even if it is only a temporary solution while awaiting the completion of legal investment procedures, bringing abandoned land plots into development still creates additional impetus to expedite project completion, thereby contributing to ending the prolonged problem of vacant land and opening up a more flexible approach to exploiting urban land resources.
Speaking at the inauguration of Ly Thai To Park No. 1 – a model park that Ho Chi Minh City decided to invest in on a 4.3-hectare plot of land that had been vacant for many years in Vuon Lai ward, through a socialized investment model – Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research and Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, said: “ This is a policy that is very popular with the people. People see that the city leaders are paying more attention to their spiritual lives, through creating more spaces for recreation and entertainment.”
According to Ms. Hau, in major cities around the world , the role of private enterprises in investing in public infrastructure is common.
The land belonging to the Tax Department Store project, located next to Nguyen Hue flower street, has been successfully transformed into a vibrant Tet park.
People in Ho Chi Minh City flocked in large numbers to enjoy themselves at the park built on land previously occupied by the Tax Department Store project.
“Urban areas are densely populated with limited land and high demand. No matter how wealthy the government is, it cannot meet all the needs. Therefore, the participation of private corporations is inevitable. Businesses not only pay taxes but can also leave a cultural mark on the city,” added Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau.
According to this expert, many vacant plots of land in Ho Chi Minh City, left unused for years, represent a significant waste. The majority of these plots are managed by the state. Not utilizing them clearly wastes state and public resources.
Transforming vacant land into gardens and parks is a way to utilize and avoid wasting scarce land resources. Many abandoned plots of land, with just a little cleaning and investment, can become cultural landscapes, enhancing the spiritual life of the people.
And as Ho Chi Minh City expands its urban space, transforming vacant plots of land, whether small or large, into flower gardens is a model that should be replicated.
"As Ho Chi Minh City expands its urban space, transforming vacant land, whether small or large, into flower gardens is a model that should be replicated, " said Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau.
Sharing the same view, architect Khuong Van Muoi, former Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, believes that if public works projects are built using state budget funds, a systematic process is required, and the use of funds must comply with financial regulations, thus taking time. Socialization, allowing businesses to share the city's workload, helps to expedite decision-making.
When businesses participate, they proactively secure funding and organize construction, thus potentially shortening the project timeline.
"They have the money readily available and can make decisions quickly. The state budget, on the other hand, requires planning and goes through many steps. The difference here is speed," he said.
Mr. Mười also affirmed the guiding and controlling role of the government. According to him, socialization does not mean loosening management. The state must control the content of investments to ensure they serve the community and are in line with public objectives.
In the future, public service projects for citizens should be privatized, but with strict control mechanisms. Making things beautiful isn't difficult, but making them meaningful is the real challenge.
Ha Linh
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cach-tp-hcm-danh-thuc-nhung-khu-dat-vang-bi-quay-ton-giua-long-do-thi-ar1003016.html
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