Hoi Phu Stream revived

Hoi Phu embankment area (Hoi Phu ward, Gia Lai ) was previously just a low-lying area, overgrown with trees, wastewater and household waste were dumped directly into the stream bed, making this place heavily polluted. Thanks to the project to renovate and build an anti-erosion embankment system, Hoi Phu stream has been revived.

According to people living in the Hoi Phu stream embankment area, more than ten years ago, the stream was a nightmare for people in the mountainous town of Pleiku, a place for wastewater to drain, with black water and a strong stench. Today, Hoi Phu stream is very different, with flowers blooming on both banks, open spaces for children to cycle, the elderly to exercise, a system of shady green trees..., like a miniature park.

Spectacular "Transformation"

Hoi Phu Stream began to be revived in 2015, when the local government implemented the Hoi Phu Embankment Renovation Project. More than 2 km of embankment were built, the stream bed was dredged, the drainage system was redesigned, and the environmental landscape was focused on... From 2021 to now, when the project was completed, there was still room on the embankment for portulaca, chrysanthemums and many other flowers to bloom. The vacant land between the embankment and the streamside road, 7-10m wide, was used to plant more than 3.5 hectares of butterfly and star flowers. An automatic irrigation system was installed to ensure that the flowers were fresh all year round. In addition, 300 cherry blossom trees were planted in the project area, creating an ecological space with a Japanese feel in the heart of the mountain town. Mr. Phan Dung, a retired official of Hoi Phu ward, said that in the past, whenever passing by here, everyone had to cover their noses because of the stench. Now it's very different, guests can sit by the stream drinking coffee, watching flowers, taking pictures, checking in...

Many people living in Ba Trieu alley once intended to sell their houses and move elsewhere to escape flooding during the rainy season. Now, every morning they gather to walk along the stream to enjoy the scenery and the fresh environment. The Hoi Phu stream embankment area has gradually become a playground for young groups, a generation that has never known the old stream...

NEW SPACE FOR URBAN MEMORY

What is special about Hoi Phu is not the construction techniques. The embankment is no longer a “flood control project” but has become a place for creativity. Groups of young photographers have begun to choose Hoi Phu as the setting for wedding photos, portraits, and commemorative photos. Students from Gia Lai College organize extracurricular activities, paint murals, clean streams, etc.

The mountainous town of Pleiku is famous for its Bien Ho Lake, green pine trees, and fog. But Hoi Phu is creating a different value: a close-knit, vibrant urban space with its own identity. However, not everything is perfect. During the rainy season, some sections of the embankment are still flooded. The drainage system is not synchronized, causing water to overflow into people's houses. Some households in low-lying areas such as Ba Trieu alley are still worried every time it rains heavily. In addition, maintaining the landscape is also a challenge. Flowers are wilted, garbage is thrown around, and some sections of the stream are starting to show signs of pollution again. Although there are still volunteer teams cleaning the stream banks, it is clear that a more sustainable community management mechanism is needed.

Chairman of Hoi Phu Ward People's Committee Vu Manh Dinh said that currently, Hoi Phu stream area has a detailed plan for a synchronous urban area in terms of social and technical infrastructure to become one of the landscape axes of Hoi Phu ward. This area has been invested in building anti-erosion embankments to upgrade urban infrastructure, ensure regional safety, solve technical problems and be a premise for the development of green space along the stream. With the advantage of the landscape axis, the tourist highlight is Minh Thanh pagoda, the Ward People's Committee oriented to develop the night economic zone and cuisine here. People and tourists can experience the highland coffee neighborhood, traditional and typical cuisine of Gia Lai, or shop for local products and participate in events, night entertainment. Not only selling food, each booth also has a story about ingredients, traditional processing methods, and artisans demonstrating cooking techniques...

The mountain town of Pleiku is planning to turn Hoi Phu embankment into a walking route, connecting with inner-city tourist routes, building check-in points and organizing a flower festival along the stream.

The change in Hoi Phu is not just the story of a stream. In the context of the strong urbanization taking place in the mountainous town of Pleiku, the change in Hoi Phu stream is a proof that development does not necessarily mean concretization. A small stream, if well cared for, can become the heart of the city.

LUONG TUNG

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/suoi-hoi-phu-hoi-sinh-392081.html