Hanoi People’s Council on April 20 considered the city’s construction plans to 2030 and vision to 2050.

A big mock-up describing Hanoi in the future was placed outside the hall, accompanied by a dozen maps on the city’s future traffic, land use and social infrastructure.

Ngo Trung Hai, the director of the Institute for Urban and Rural Architecture and Planning, briefly introduced the draft construction plan for Hanoi to 2020. Many deputies expressed their concern about the plan’s incomplete points.

Deputy Ngo Van Ny pointed out that the draft plan doesn’t consider the impact of climate change on Hanoi in the next 40 years. He also questioned whether or not this plan includes a plan to build up the city along the Red River, which was designed by a Korean partner two years ago.

Other deputies agreed with Ny, claiming it would be unnecessary to build a big riverside city when Hanoi can be expanded.

Some disagreed with the Thang Long axis, including Deputy Vu Duc Tan, who remarked that it is unfeasible to build a lengthy road to run from Hanoi’s center to Ba Vi Mountain.

Nguyen Van Nam, the chief of the Economic and Budget Department of the Hanoi People’s Council, suggested that the designer needs to research further the plan’s feasibility and the influence of the Thang Long axis on the city’s green corridor and Thang Long citadel. Nam also requested that the designer provide more analysis on developing satellite cities.

Some deputies asked for clarification on the city’s green belt, because this will connect the city’s urban and rural areas. They were also interested in Hanoi’s future population.

Deputy Le Van Hoat said the draft plan doesn’t point out the way to restructure urban spaces to deal with the current disorder. He worried that Hanoi would not be able to deal with super-small and crooked houses.

Le Quang Nhue, Hanoi People’s Council Vice-Chair, said that deputy opinions will be summarized and sent to PPJ.

PPJ has sent the draft plan to the Ministry of Construction, the Government and Hanoi authorities four times already. The draft plan will be displayed in the Van Ho Exhibition Centre for public comment. The exhibition will open today, April 21.