HCM City plans to have more green space by building more public parks. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The HCM City authorities have directed relevant agencies to review the use of land planned for public parks to have more urban green space from 2023 to 2025.

According to the city's Department of Construction, the city has around 369 public parks and parks of residential areas with a total of 500 hectares. The current ratio of park areas and the city’s population is very low at only 0.55 square meter per capita.

For the past few years, the city has strived to increase public green space and expand public parks, but the result has not been as expected.

Most public parks are located in the inner city. There are no public parks in the suburban districts of 9, 12, Thủ Đức, Bình Tân, Nhà Bè, Hóc Môn, Củ Chi and Bình Chánh.

The land area of some public parks was even reduced for the expansion of streets, such as Gia Định Park in Gò Vấp District and Tao Đàn Park in District 1 or to use as parking lots such as Lê Văn Tám Park in District 1.

According to the Department of Construction, after reviewing the land reserves for public parks, the department will propose preparing construction projects and calling for investment.

The city targets to achieve 2.5-12 square meters of green space per capita by 2025.

In 2023, the city authorities will realise a plan to build 10 hectares of public parks and two hectares of green public space, planting and renovating 6,000 green trees to meet the target of 3-4 square meters of green space per capita. — VNS