Floodplains are land designated for water, not for subdivision.

Architect Tran Huy Anh emphasized this point when he noted that with the Red River placed at the center of the Capital City Planning, many people mistakenly believe it refers to the strip of land along the riverbank.

The Red River is being placed at the center of Hanoi's centenary urban planning. Expected to become a green space axis, a landscape feature, and a new driving force for development, the area along both banks of the Red River is considered a "mega-project" with the potential to transform Hanoi's appearance in the future.

However, as soon as the first information about the planning emerged, the riverside land market began to heat up. Land speculation frenzies and rushes for alluvial land and agricultural land along the river continuously appeared, along with advertisements about opportunities to "cash in on the planning," causing many individual investors to rush to buy land in the hope of changing their lives.

Many people are caught up in the "land rent illusion".

Speaking with a reporter from the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, architect Tran Huy Anh, a member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Architects Association, emphasized that floodplains are "land for water," not land for subdivision or real estate development. Illegal land transactions in riverside areas pose significant risks because when the State reclaims land, compensation is based solely on legal ownership, not on market prices.

Architect Tran Huy Anh (right) emphasized that flood drainage space is "land for water," not land for subdivision or real estate development. Photo: Doan Phong.

According to architect Tran Huy Anh, "the flood drainage space is defined by two existing dikes. This space is for water and, in principle, should not be concretized or built upon indiscriminately." One of the worrying issues today is that many people are misunderstanding the nature of the Red River planning.

Many investors believe that once zoning plans are in place, the alluvial land along the riverbanks will be legalized as residential or commercial land to benefit from the land value differential. However, he emphasized that the flood drainage corridor of the Red River has been clearly defined in the Law on Dikes and current flood control plans.

According to him, the area between the two dikes plays a particularly important role in the hydrological safety of Hanoi and the entire Northern Delta region.

These spaces not only serve to drain floodwaters but also retain water during the dry season, maintaining natural ecosystems and ensuring water resources for tens of millions of people.

Ancient villages along the river, such as Bat Trang, Tam Xa, and Hai Boi, are communities that have adapted to the natural environment over many generations. However, the majority of the riverbank area today is public land, flood plain land, and unsuitable for real estate development.

He asserted, "There is no incentive whatsoever to turn floodplains into real estate. The current 'land fever' along the riverbanks is driven more by speculation than by investment in real development value. A feasible 100-year plan must be 'smart,' not only in form but also in its ability to solve problems related to space, energy, transportation, and quality of life."

Perspective view of the Red River scenic boulevard project section passing through the inner city area. Photo: Hanoi People's Committee.

According to this expert, many people are caught up in the "land rent illusion," believing that simply having planning information will cause land values ​​to skyrocket in the future. However, illegal land transactions can carry significant risks. When the state reclaims land for public infrastructure, compensation is based on the legal origin of the land, not on market prices. Public land or land outside the legal framework may not receive the compensation that speculators expect.

The excessively high land prices also have long-term consequences for urban development itself, as the cost of land acquisition for public works projects will increase significantly in the future. Meanwhile, the Red River planning project is a very large-scale investment project that needs to be implemented over a long period and depends on many different resources. Therefore, the risk of "capital being tied up" for investors who follow the crowd mentality is entirely possible.

Ensuring water security against floods and droughts is paramount.

The Red River alluvial plain is not only agricultural land but also a water-retaining ecosystem that replenishes surface water sources and contributes to maintaining food security for the capital city.

Architects recommend that riverside agriculture should be maintained organically, using short-term crops and minimizing the use of chemicals to protect water quality. However, in recent years, the pace of urbanization in Hanoi has been too rapid. Large areas of agricultural land have been reduced to make way for real estate, while the quality of life for residents has not improved proportionally. If the land continues to be covered with concrete, Hanoi will face many significant risks.

Mr. Tran Huy Anh believes that the Red River planning is a great opportunity for Hanoi to reshape its development model in the new century.

"The 100-year vision for Hanoi's urban planning must prioritize compliance with the Law on Dikes, flood control planning, and dike planning for the Red River and Thai Binh River systems. Ensuring water security against floods and droughts should be the primary and top priority, not short-term gains. Future planning for Hanoi in general, and the Red River in particular, must prioritize human well-being, placing people above short-term interests!" - emphasized a member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Architects Association.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khong-gian-thoat-lu-la-dat-danh-cho-nuoc-khong-phai-de-phan-lo-d813928.html