Industrial facilities interspersed within residential areas: an unresolved problem!

Along with socio -economic development, an increasing number of production facilities have emerged in Ha Tinh province. However, a current reality is that many of these facilities are interspersed, or even located within, residential areas. This is causing serious consequences in terms of environmental pollution, fire hazards, and directly affecting the lives and health of the people.

The wood processing facility owned by Mr. Cao Van Hoai in Trang Son village (Gia Hanh commune) has been operating within a residential area for over a decade. Although the facility is small, with limited machinery, and operates within his family's property, its operation inevitably generates dust and noise. More worryingly, the facility contains many flammable materials such as wood, paint, and chemicals, yet fails to meet fire safety standards, posing a constant threat to neighboring households.

Mr. Hoai acknowledged the inconvenience but also shared the reason for maintaining production here: "Currently, there is the Yen Huy Industrial Cluster in the area, however, the facility still chooses to produce in the residential area to take advantage of the available space, and it will be more convenient for the production process."

Mr. Cao Van Hoai's wood processing facility in Trang Son village (Gia Hanh commune) is located right in the middle of a residential area.

Similarly, at a mechanical manufacturing facility in Thanh Phu village (Tran Phu ward), day or night, whenever there's an order, the sound of saws and metal cutting machines resounds.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam, a resident living near this mechanical workshop, shared: "For more than six years now, since this facility started operating, my family and the surrounding households have had to endure the noise. To reduce the noise, we have no choice but to keep our doors closed all day."

Production facilities operating within residential areas are causing public resentment.

According to the regulations in Decree 08/2022/ND-CP guiding the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, Clause 2, Article 52 stipulates that production, business, service establishments and warehouses must maintain a safe and environmentally friendly distance from residential areas.

Lawyer Phan Van Chieu – Director of Ha Chau Law Firm, said: Economic development must absolutely comply with legal regulations and not affect the community, residents, and surrounding areas. For production facilities in residential areas, the following conditions must be met: suitability for the industry, distance from residential areas, adequate noise levels that meet regulations on maximum noise levels in residential areas, and minimal wastewater discharge into the environment. However, in reality, enforcement and control still face many limitations.

The problems arising from manufacturing facilities interspersed within residential areas are a persistent issue requiring a comprehensive solution. Mr. Truong Ba Khanh, Head of the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of the Tran Phu Ward People's Committee, stated: "Specific planning, sufficiently strong sanctions, and a decisive roadmap are needed to relocate unsuitable facilities out of residential areas, aiming for a clean, safe, and civilized living environment."

The presence of manufacturing facilities within residential areas is not only a problem unique to Ha Tinh province but also a common challenge for many localities in the process of urbanization and economic development. To thoroughly address this issue, it requires decisive action from all levels of government, the consensus of the people, and the awareness of law compliance from the owners of these facilities. Only then can the goal of a quality, safe, and sustainable living environment become a reality.