Need to expand Da Nang urban area to the south

After the merger, Da Nang became the largest centrally-governed city in the country, with a population of over 3 million people. However, the core urban area is facing pressure on infrastructure and population. The problem is to soon expand the urban area, especially to the south, where there is still much potential for land, transportation, industry and tourism to form a new growth pole.

Chu Lai Airport is planned to have a capacity of about 10 million passengers/year by 2030. Photo: ACV

The new Da Nang City has an area of ​​nearly 12,000 km2, many times larger than before. However, population and infrastructure pressure is still mainly concentrated in the core area, especially the wards of Hai Chau, Hoa Cuong and Thanh Khe. Currently, the population density in Hai Chau has exceeded 17,000 people/km2; Thanh Khe is even higher, about 25,000 people/km2, while the southern and suburban areas are only a few thousand people/km2.

Great room for development

In the overall planning picture, the southern area, stretching from Dien Ban to Nui Thanh, emerges as the most feasible option for population dispersion and urban expansion. This area possesses a large land fund, stable geology, low population density, favorable for the construction of new urban areas, industrial parks, high-tech parks and tourism projects along the Vo Chi Cong coastal line.

In reality, the southern Da Nang - northern Quang Nam region has many large projects in the pipeline: Dien Nam - Dien Ngoc new urban area, Tam Hiep and Tam Thang industrial zones, and a chain of coastal resorts stretching to Hoi An. However, the development has not been synchronized, is still scattered and lacks overall planning. That creates a large gap for planning a "southern metropolis" with additional functions for the central core.

In particular, the south has a prominent advantage in terms of connecting infrastructure. The Da Nang - Quang Ngai expressway, national highways 40B, 14E, 14G and the coastal road system form a complete traffic network. At the same time, this area is also directly connected to the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, which is striving to become a national-scale industrial - service center, converging seaports, logistics and Truong Hai automobile supply chain.

Not only that, the south also has beautiful coastlines, rivers and mountain ranges, creating potential for green urban tourism development. If connected with Hoi An ancient town, My Son relics and a chain of traditional craft villages, this area can become a "golden triangle" of culture - tourism - modern urban, complementing Da Nang, which is already famous for its sea services and conference tourism.

Chart 1: Population density by area of ​​Da Nang after merger

Developing to the south not only reduces the load on the core area but also opens a new economic-urban corridor, connecting from Da Nang to Chu Lai and Quang Ngai, connecting the Central region with the Central Highlands and the East-West corridor. This is the long-term direction for a dynamic urban area in the Central region.

Strategic solutions to prioritize

To realize this orientation, the city needs to focus on a number of key solutions: First, the planning after the merger. Da Nang and Quang Nam previously had separate planning for the period 2021 - 2030. After the merger, it is necessary to review and adjust to build a unified planning, ensuring regional connectivity and long-term vision. The core area needs to be redeveloped according to a compact urban model, adding green space, increasing the land use coefficient, strictly controlling coastal corridors and connecting with public transport.

Chart 2: Infrastructure connectivity level in the South of Da Nang

Second, develop dynamic infrastructure. Chu Lai airport needs to be invested to meet 4F international standards, sharing the role with Da Nang airport. Chu Lai, Ky Ha, Truong Hai seaport systems must become cargo and logistics transit centers. In parallel, the Chu Lai - Hoi An - Da Nang urban railway needs to be deployed, not only to solve traffic problems but also to open the door to connecting tourism and industry along the coast.

Third, forming a new financial and commercial pole. Some items such as financial centers and free trade zones can be partially moved to Chu Lai, connecting with industry, logistics and urban areas to form a sustainable service chain, reducing the load on the core area. From international experience, many cities have succeeded in moving economic centers out of the core area: Seoul expanded to Incheon, Tokyo developed strongly in Yokohama. Da Nang can completely learn to create a new growth pole in the south.

Fourth, urban - education - industrial linkage. Bringing Da Nang University Village to the intersection of Dien Ban Dong and Dien Ban Bac, and linking training with the Chu Lai - Truong Hai Automobile Complex in the south, will create high-quality human resources in the mechanical, automobile, and manufacturing industries. This is a strategic step to combine training - research - production right on the spot. Moreover, placing the university near the industrial park will create an innovative ecosystem, helping Da Nang - Chu Lai become the technology - industrial center of the Central region.

Fifth, focus on social security. Surplus office buildings after the reorganization can be converted into social housing, housing for workers and low-income people. This solution is both cost-effective and ensures humanity in the process of urban development. At the same time, it is necessary to focus on community cultural spaces, building parks, activity houses and basic education and health care systems so that new residents can feel secure in their long-term commitment.

In addition, it is necessary to consider the strategy of smart urban development. The application of technology in traffic management, lighting, drainage, waste treatment, etc. will help reduce operating costs and improve the quality of life for people. The new urban area in the south has the advantage of being built from the beginning, avoiding the limitations of the core area, which is already overloaded.

Expanding the urban area to the south is not only a solution to reduce congestion but also opens a new door for the city. The long stretch of sand, the continuous blue sea and the far-reaching traffic routes will become the land that ignites new growth poles. From there, Da Nang can take off, becoming the leading bird of the Central region, both preserving the soul of the coastal city and reaching out to the international community.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/can-keo-gian-do-thi-da-nang-ve-phia-nam-3303418.html