The Department of Construction of HCM City plans to tear down 15 grade-D apartment buildings in the city by 2020 to ensure safety for residents. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Department of Construction of HCM City plans to tear down 15 grade-D apartment buildings in the city by 2020 to ensure safety for residents.

The department plans to relocate more than 1,000 households living in the 15 buildings, which are in a serious state of disrepair.

This year the city has completed relocation of households in three grade-D apartment buildings at 128 Hai Bà Trưng Street and 23 Lý Tự Trọng Street in District 1 and 6 bis Nguyễn Tât Thành Street in District 4.

Households in two grade-D apartment buildings on 119B Tân Hoà Đông Street in District 6 and 11 Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3 are in the process of relocation.

In addition, District 1 has evaluated building E of an apartment complex on 518 Võ Văn Kiệt Street. It is leaning 45cm and could collapse at any time. Thirty-eight families living in the building have been relocated to apartments in districts 1, 4 and Bình Chánh.

The department has urged units and contractors to tear down two grade-D buildings at Hai Bà Trưng and Võ Văn Tần streets to build new ones near the location of the old buildings so that former residents can be relocated there.

The city People’s Committee has assigned the People’s Committees in the affected districts to perform tasks related to investment procedures, tear down old apartment buildings, and build new ones near the location of the old ones.

Of the 15 grade-D apartment buildings that need to be demolished, only four have an investor and only two are in the process of calling for investors.  

Nguyễn Văn Đực, member of the executive board of the Việt Nam Construction Association, said the relocation and demolition delays were due to a lack of investment. According to experts, these kinds of projects do not bring high returns to investors, so interest is limited.

The District 3 People’s Committee has asked the city People’s Committee for permission to dismantle Grade-D apartment buildings and replace them with buildings that can be used for commercial and service facilities. The residents would then be relocated to another residential area.

Last year, the city moved 188 households from three Grade-D apartment buildings in disrepair and from one grade-C apartment building. In addition, the city last year also completed the dismantling of two apartment buildings to build new ones. — VNS