Underground space planning and development: Creating a multi-layered, modern Ho Chi Minh City

The Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City has submitted a draft to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on the work of planning underground space based on the implementation of the Master Plan.

Formation of underground cities

According to Decision 1125/QD-TTg on the Project to adjust the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City to 2040, with a vision to 2060 approved by the Prime Minister on June 11, 2025, the planning of underground space in the whole city has been oriented. Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City encourages the organization of urban underground space in urban development areas, especially focusing on organizing underground space in central urban areas and existing urban areas connecting underground public transport systems, underground pedestrian parking lots to create a complete underground space system, reducing pressure on ground transportation; building tunnels (technical underground routes), technical trenches on external traffic routes and main urban roads.

Basement B2 Saigon Center Shopping Mall Photo: HOANG HUNG

The construction of underground space in urban areas must ensure safety regulations, land use coefficients and be specifically determined in lower-level planning projects or specialized planning. In existing urban centers with high flood risks, without enough land to arrange green spaces, regulating lakes, research on the construction of underground space to regulate water, store water to support urban flood management. Along with that, the control of underground construction space in natural ecological areas, areas affected by floods, subsidence, saltwater intrusion... is carried out on the basis of specific assessment of geological conditions, hydrology, environmental impacts...

For traffic works, the city is researching the construction of smart underground parking lots in existing urban center areas associated with public works (offices, stadiums, cultural palaces...), squares, some green areas, and parks.

Regarding the implementation of underground space planning in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Ly Khanh Tam Thao, Head of the General Planning Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture, said that the Department of Construction has sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, proposing two options for organizing the planning of underground space in Ho Chi Minh City. On that basis, the Ministry of Construction has agreed that the organization of planning of underground space in the city needs to be implemented synchronously with the Project to adjust the general planning of Ho Chi Minh City in Decision No. 1125.

Currently, the Department of Planning and Investment has included the content of planning underground space in Ho Chi Minh City into the plan to implement general urban planning projects and the list of planning projects in the city. After this plan is approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, it will be the basis for implementing underground space planning in accordance with regulations. "According to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 15 of the Law on Urban and Rural Planning, underground space planning is established on the basis of the general planning of centrally-run cities and provincial planning. Therefore, in the first phase, the underground space planning of Ho Chi Minh City will be organized within the former Ho Chi Minh City area. After the current general planning of Ho Chi Minh City is established and approved, the city will continue to implement underground space planning within the entire Ho Chi Minh City, ensuring inheritance, connection and unity in the urban planning system", said Mr. Ly Khanh Tam Thao.

Correctly assess the current situation and conditions of each area

According to Architect Ngo Anh Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Construction Planning, currently, zoning plans such as the Thu Thiem urban area, the existing 930ha city center, the Phu Tho racetrack area... all have underground space planning. Underground space planning plays a very important role in promoting socio-economic development, because it not only exploits more space for commercial and service activities, connects technical infrastructure but also helps the city reduce traffic congestion pressure, reduce flooding in central areas... "However, to develop underground space effectively, we need a methodical plan, correctly assessing the current situation and conditions of each area. Accordingly, the city needs to determine where to develop underground space, which area, how deep, consider the actual needs of the people... In addition, underground space planning needs to connect train station and metro areas to bring more efficiency", Architect Ngo Anh Vu analyzed.

Underground shopping space at Central Market (Ben Thanh Ward, HCMC) with many booths attracting foreign visitors. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Having experienced the underground space at Ben Thanh metro station on Metro Line 1 of Ho Chi Minh City (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien), Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thao, resident of Hanh Thong ward, shared: “My first impression when coming to an underground space at Ben Thanh metro station is modernity, coolness, not too noisy. In my opinion, this is not only a traffic project but also contributes to changing the appearance of Ho Chi Minh City, towards a modern and sustainable city. Ho Chi Minh City needs to develop more underground projects to limit traffic jams and congestion…”.

According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Tuan, a real estate investor in Ho Chi Minh City, underground space planning not only promotes the development of public transport works but also helps to remove obstacles for existing residential areas, because underground space planning is the basis for granting construction permits for individual houses with basements.

Architect Khuong Van Muoi , former Vice President of Vietnam Association of Architects:

Avoid encroachment on ground structures

The development of underground space and underground transport in Ho Chi Minh City is an inevitable direction in the context of increasing traffic congestion and existing infrastructure that can no longer meet the demand. If underground space is exploited effectively, it will bring many economic benefits to Ho Chi Minh City and serve the people better. The core of effectively exploiting underground space is to have a plan in advance to keep that space from being encroached by above-ground constructions. From there, a continuous, synchronous space is formed, connecting traffic works.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City has some locations such as: in the city center, the demand for transportation, entertainment, and recreation is relatively high, however, meeting this demand is hindered by construction works and compensation is too expensive. Therefore, focusing on developing underground works is to encourage investors to participate.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen , Ho Chi Minh City Urban Development Planning Association:

Underground space exploitation zoning

If Ho Chi Minh City wants to exploit underground space effectively, it must conduct a thorough survey and research by geologists. The first thing the city must do is to delimit the area, because each area will have different difficulties and advantages. Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City can be divided into areas such as Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City in the North and the central area. Each area can be exploited in a different way, for different purposes and must build an underground map. Only then will there be a basis for planning and effective exploitation.

I think that if Ho Chi Minh City does a good job of planning, the exploitation of underground space will be highly effective. Because now we have all the conditions in terms of technique, technology and practical experience from underground projects such as Thu Thiem tunnel, Metro line No. 1 Ho Chi Minh City (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien).

THANH HIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/quy-hoach-va-phat-trien-khong-gian-ngam-kien-tao-tphcm-da-tang-hien-dai-post821389.html