A view of HCM City’s downtown area located along the banks of the Sài Gòn River. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

HCM CITY — The HCM City People's Committee has approved adjustments to urban planning for the city’s 930ha central area, including a residential area and a street in District 1.

Under the plan, a ​​1,000sq.m area now being used by the HCM City Branch of the Việt Nam Evangelical Church will be permitted to have construction density of 60 per cent (previously 50 per cent), buildings with  maximum height of 39.4m (previously 25m), and a coefficient land-use rate of 5 (previously 2.5).

This area borders Trần Hưng Đạo Street in the north, a residential area in the south, Đề Thám Street in the east, and a residential area in the west.

The city will also redesign the landscape on a section of Lê Lợi Street from the intersection at Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street to Bến Thành Market in District 1 where the city’s first metro line underground station has been built.

The changes in urban planning aim to change the city's appearance, as well as maintain trade and service activities on Lê Lợi Street.

The city’s Department of Planning and Architecture has submitted a landscape redesign that will take place in three phases.

In the first phase, the city will renew the pavement of the Lê Lợi Street section after the HCM City Urban Railway Management Board completes the underground station and returns it to the site.

The section will have a specific path for people with disabilities, and new trees and flower pots.

It is estimated that the works will cost about VNĐ21.4 billion (US$928,230).

The second phase will see the completion of the design of the pavement and an upgrade of the roadway and other facilities on this section to encourage people to use public transport.

The third phase will include expansion of the section to promote trade and services activities and investment in businesses on the street.

In a related matter, the municipal People’s Committee has approved an architectural design competition for the An Phú intersection project in Thủ Đức City. The current intersection sees a huge volume of vehicles but its traffic capacity is limited, leading to congestion.

The new intersection will link with the HCM City-Long Thành-Dầu Giây Expressway, and connect Mai Chí Thọ Street and Đồng Văn Cống Street. It is expected to be a traffic optimisation solution and become an impressive landscape in Thủ Đức City’s gateway area, connecting to the central city and surrounding areas. — VNS