Greening the navel area

Rehabilitating contaminated land

Going back about 20 years, the area around Yen So was a major flood-prone region of the city. Whenever there was heavy rain, the drainage system couldn't cope, and residents had to live with the constant flooding.

In particular, the Yen So Lake area, a low-lying wetland at the end of the Set and Kim Nguu rivers, is filled with wastewater from the city, resulting in a year-round stream of black, foul-smelling water...

Yen So Park is a popular destination for Hanoi residents to relax and unwind after a week of work and study. Photo: Tuan Anh

The constant influx of wastewater from the upstream of the Set and Kim Nguu rivers has inevitably led to environmental pollution and desolation in this area. Due to the heavily polluted water, agricultural activities for local residents are very precarious. Notably, during Hanoi's historic flood of 2008, the Yen So pumping station was submerged and rendered inoperable, causing the entire city to be deeply flooded, and the Yen So area suffered even more severe consequences.

According to Tran Hoang Kim, Deputy Head of the Urban Management Department of Hoang Mai District, Hoang Mai is the only inner-city district with four rivers flowing through it: the To Lich River, the Lu River, the Set River, and the Kim Nguu River. These rivers also serve as the main drainage routes for the city. Therefore, right from the detailed planning stage, the city, as well as Hoang Mai District, paid attention to addressing environmental issues in this area.

In 2007, Gamuda Land Vietnam was established to directly implement and manage projects in Hoang Mai district. Following its establishment, the company began the renovation, dredging, and water purification of five lakes in Yen So. In addition to the lake renovation and dredging, the Yen So wastewater treatment plant project commenced in 2009 on an area of 91,959 m² with a treatment capacity of 200,000 m³/night, aiming to meet the wastewater treatment needs of the Kim Nguu and Set river basins. The investment in the wastewater treatment plant was a crucial step in addressing environmental issues.

Later, in 2014, Yen So Park was officially inaugurated and opened to the public free of charge. Notably, Yen So Park, with its diverse ecosystem, is considered the largest green lung of the city, and it even received the most prestigious award for landscape architecture from the Malaysian Institute of Landscape Architects (ILAM).

“The people living in the Yen So area in particular, and the people in Hoang Mai district in general, were very happy, excited, and thrilled to see this place transforming day by day; to witness firsthand how a perpetually polluted and abandoned swamp could be transformed into one of the largest green infrastructure projects and green parks,” said Mr. Tran Hoang Kim.

A distinct green urban expectation

Ms. Nguyen Pham Hoang Anh, residing in Quan Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, said: "On weekends, my family and friends often visit lakes and green parks in the city, and Yen So Park is one of those choices."

In reality, it can be affirmed that Yen So Park is currently a wonderful destination for rest and relaxation, helping residents of Hanoi regain inspiration and energy after a stressful week of work and study. It can be said that amidst the bustling and crowded capital city, there is still a place offering green space and peaceful natural scenery like Yen So Park, which is truly precious. Currently, hundreds of people visit the park daily to enjoy the scenery and relax. On weekends and holidays, the number of visitors reaches thousands.

“Yen So Park is not only attractive because of its many green trees, but the trees here also have very wide and shady canopies, so you can bring friends and family here to play in any season. Even though the temperature gets a bit hot after playing all day, it's still a suitable place for camping or weekend gatherings. Especially if families have young children, they will surely love it because of the fresh air here,” shared Ms. Hoang Anh.

As for Mr. Nguyen Dinh Bien, who lives at 151 Nguyen Duc Canh Street, Tuong Mai Ward, Hoang Mai District, he said that because he frequently visits Yen So Park, he has done some in-depth research about it and is very impressed by the diversity of its green spaces and vegetation, with 124 species of trees.

In addition, Gamuda Gardens urban area has 38 species of large trees, 86 species of shrubs; small potted plants and ground cover, and even many valuable timber trees such as rosewood, sandalwood, and many species with beautiful flowers such as golden shower tree, black shower tree, yellow flowering shower tree, flamboyant tree, and ironwood...

“As a former student of the University of Architecture, after graduating and working in architectural design and planning, I find the Yen So Park complex to be one of the rare areas in the city that possesses a large system of regulating lakes; a modern wastewater treatment system; and creates a living space that is friendly to nature, as well as a living environment covered with greenery, a spacious and fresh living space for the community...” - Mr. Nguyen Dinh Bien shared.

Regarding this issue, Tran Hoang Kim, Deputy Head of the Urban Management Department of Hoang Mai District, said: Based on the orientation of the planning documents, the investor has astutely recognized the development potential of the southern gateway area of the capital, and has therefore come up with solutions in the Yen So waterlogged area.

This not only improved living conditions for the people in the area but also brought about a completely different face compared to the early days of Hoang Mai district's establishment, because at that time, the southern area of Hanoi was considered an underdeveloped region with a lack of social infrastructure and an unconnected transportation infrastructure.

Over the past 20 years, Hoang Mai district has made significant progress, becoming a bright spot in urban infrastructure in the southern part of Hanoi. Notably, many modern and civilized new urban areas have been formed, contributing to increased efficiency in urban land use, addressing housing needs, and, along with an increasingly complete infrastructure system, enhancing the image of a modern Hoang Mai and continuously improving the quality of life for its residents.

Comment (0)