Building Binh Duong into a modern, smart city

Part 2: Urban rejuvenation

One of the key solutions being actively implemented to transform Binh Dương into a modern and smart city is urban renovation, with a focus on improving spontaneous residential areas, yielding positive results.

Shared responsibility

According to Binh Duong provincial Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, in the province's development zoning, area 1 which includes Thuan An city and Di An city is one of three dynamic spatial areas. These two cities will undergo urban reconstruction and renovation, utilizing available space to implement new urban models based on the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) approach. Additionally, social infrastructure will be enhanced to transform Thuan An and Di An into modern cities with a high quality of life.

In Di An city, there are 362 spontaneously developed residential areas. To date, the city has approved infrastructure plans to renovate 21 of these areas and has issued land use right certificates for 15 areas, totaling 567 certificates. In Tan Binh ward, there are 73 spontaneously developed residential areas with a total area of 388,694m², divided into 5,807 lots. Among them, 2 areas were subdivided after January 10, 2014, covering 2,531.8m² with 44 lots while 71 areas were subdivided before this date. These include 2 areas that do not conform to the plan and 69 areas that are in line with the approved plan.

Vo Thi Bach Tuyet, Vice Chairwoman of Tan Binh ward’s People's Committee stated that after 10 years of implementing the Resolution No. 35 of Di An city’s Party Committee on the renovation of residential areas, residents in eligible spontaneous residential areas have voluntarily contributed funds and are willing to dismantle structures, relocate buildings and architectural elements to meet minimum infrastructure standards as approved by the local authorities. The rejuvenation efforts have resulted in well-planned housing areas with synchronized transportation, drainage and water supply systems, effectively addressing localized flooding issues and improving infrastructure connectivity with surrounding areas.

Lai Viet Van, Head of Tan Phu 1 quarter management board in Tan Binh ward stated that the quarter has nine spontaneous residential areas. Under the Resolution No. 35 of Di An city’s Party Committee, the quarter has actively promoted and encouraged residents to contribute funds for the completion of technical infrastructure. To date, four spontaneously developed residential areas have been renovated in terms of infrastructure. The renovation of these areas plays a crucial role in improving residents' quality of life and contributes to shaping a more and more modern and well-organized urban image.

In Thuan An city, there are 187 spontaneous residential areas formed before January 10, 2014, covering a total area of approximately 65.06 hectares. Among them, 51 areas have had their technical infrastructure investment plans approved while 136 areas have not received approval for infrastructure investment plans. Of these 136 areas, the city has so far improved infrastructure in 11 while the remaining 125 are still under technical infrastructure review. Thuan An city’s An Phu ward currently has 27 spontaneous residential areas covering a total area of 178,912m², with 1,752 plots registered by investors. To date, 10 areas in the ward have been renovated. Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of An Phu ward’s People's Committee stated that the ward is renovating the remaining spontaneous residential areas while encouraging investors and residents to contribute funds for rejuvenation. In the coming period, the ward will conduct a comprehensive infrastructure assessment and proceed with renovations based on the principle of "tackling the easier tasks first, addressing the more challenging ones later".

Nguyen Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of Thuan An city’s People's Committee stated that most of the spontaneous residential areas in the city previously faced challenges in connecting technical infrastructure with surrounding areas, particularly rain water and wastewater drainage systems. Infrastructure repair also took time. To handle spontaneous residential areas, the city will renovate favorable areas first. "In order to improve the infrastructure systems of the local spontaneous residential areas, on July 9, 2024, Thuan An city’s People's Committee issued the Plan No. 2468/KH-UBND to renovate, upgrade and enhance the technical infrastructure of these areas. Following that, on October 2, 2024, the city’s People's Committee issued the Decision No. 6847/QĐ-UBND to establish a Steering Committee for the implementation of these renovation efforts", Mr. Son stated.

Comprehensive investment in essential technical infrastructure

In recent years, Binh Duong has mobilized various resources to invest in the construction and renovation of essential technical infrastructure in residential areas. This includes traffic, rainwater drainage, wastewater, water supply, street lighting, electricity and telecommunications infrastructure systems.

However, along with achievements, authorities assess that the quality of urban development in Binh Duong has not yet matched the local rapid growth and residents' housing needs. Currently, the renovation and issuance of land use rights certificates for spontaneous residential areas face numerous challenges, primarily due to incompatible land-use planning and the significant financial resources required for rejuvenation. Besides, road expansion faces many difficulties as most land lots are under 60m². When land is reclaimed for road construction, residents will have to demolish existing structures…

Binh Duong is currently developing a resolution on the renovation and improvement of essential technical infrastructure in both urban and rural residential areas through 2030. This includes plans to upgrade spontaneous housing clusters and substandard lodging facilities to further enhance residents' quality of life and effectively implement the goals of urban and rural redevelopment, promoting sustainable urban development. Binh Duong aims at completing 100% of alleys and lanes in urban areas and rural residential points under the planned construction, ensuring comprehensive investment in essential technical infrastructure. The alley and lane roads in urban areas as well as the routes connecting district centers to commune centers, are being constructed to meet minimum regulatory standards or have appropriate fire safety solutions. These roads are being asphalted or concreted, equipped with drainage systems, street lighting, household electricity and lined with trees on both sides. Local authorities are encouraging residents to contribute to transforming rural roads into model ones ensuring that road surfaces meet the minimum requirements for fire trucks to operate effectively… (to be continued)

Binh Duong is implementing the relocation and functional conversion of manufacturing enterprises located outside industrial parks and compounds in the southern region into designated industrial zones within the province, facilitating urban planning, management and rejuvenation while enhancing control over pollution sources across the province.

As of now, Binh Duong has one first-class city (Thu Dau Mot city), one second-class city (Di An city), three third-class cities (Thuan An City, Tan Uyen City, Ben Cat City) and five fifth-class cities. The province's urbanization rate has reached nearly 85%.

Reported by Phuong Le-Translated by Kim Tin