Experts raise warnings over Tam Dao urban planning
Many experts have raised warnings over the urban planning and high-rise buildings in Tam Dao Town in the northern province of Vinh Phuc which could badly affect the environment.
On July 12, 2013, Phung Quang Hung, chairman of Vinh Phuc People's Committee approved the adjusted urban planning which allocated more land for projects in the town centres while cutting the land for lakes and green spaces. The adjusted urban planning gave 6,876 square metres of land for hotels and 2,320 square metres of land for villas. The land for lakes and green spaces was reduced from 12,251 to 8,829 square metres. The town centre is only 21,530 square metres.
Afterwards, the Grand Victory Hotel Project was approved which covers 6,876 square metres. The hotel is a 13-story building invested by Tam Dao Tourism Services Company.
In the most recent urban planning for 2030 with a view to 2050, the amount of land and number of storeys for high-rise buildings continue to rise to make the town centre into a major tourism attraction in Vinh Phuc Province. It is hoped to attract 300,000 visitors a year. According to the plan, Tam Dao Town will be divided into nine areas and high-rise buildings with up to 15 floors will be allowed to be built into a specific area.
However, many experts said that the plan was impractical since Tam Dao is nearly filled with projects and there are few land lots left.
Dao Ngoc Khiem, vice head of Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, said, "30% of Tam Dao is expected to be turned into residential areas which, I think, is too much for an ecotourism town. Moreover, the new buildings must be in harmony with the existing French architecture there. In the past years, the development in Tam Dao has been very disorganised and public spaces have been largely narrowed down."
He went on to say that the local authorities should learn experiences from the urban planning of the Old Quarter in Hanoi or Hoi An Town.
"15-storey buildings are too high. I think the height cap for high rise buildings there should be nine floors so that surrounding landscapes, infrastructures, sewage and waste treatment activities won't be affected," he said. "People come to Tam Dao because of its nature and fresh air."
According to Khiem, the local authorities must understand the position of Tam Dao. Since the early days of the 20th century, Tam Dao has received special attention as an ideal resort and the French architecture is a highlight of Tam Dao that should be preserved.
Grand Victory Hotel Project in Tam Dao Town.
On July 12, 2013, Phung Quang Hung, chairman of Vinh Phuc People's Committee approved the adjusted urban planning which allocated more land for projects in the town centres while cutting the land for lakes and green spaces. The adjusted urban planning gave 6,876 square metres of land for hotels and 2,320 square metres of land for villas. The land for lakes and green spaces was reduced from 12,251 to 8,829 square metres. The town centre is only 21,530 square metres.
Afterwards, the Grand Victory Hotel Project was approved which covers 6,876 square metres. The hotel is a 13-story building invested by Tam Dao Tourism Services Company.
In the most recent urban planning for 2030 with a view to 2050, the amount of land and number of storeys for high-rise buildings continue to rise to make the town centre into a major tourism attraction in Vinh Phuc Province. It is hoped to attract 300,000 visitors a year. According to the plan, Tam Dao Town will be divided into nine areas and high-rise buildings with up to 15 floors will be allowed to be built into a specific area.
However, many experts said that the plan was impractical since Tam Dao is nearly filled with projects and there are few land lots left.
Dao Ngoc Khiem, vice head of Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, said, "30% of Tam Dao is expected to be turned into residential areas which, I think, is too much for an ecotourism town. Moreover, the new buildings must be in harmony with the existing French architecture there. In the past years, the development in Tam Dao has been very disorganised and public spaces have been largely narrowed down."
He went on to say that the local authorities should learn experiences from the urban planning of the Old Quarter in Hanoi or Hoi An Town.
"15-storey buildings are too high. I think the height cap for high rise buildings there should be nine floors so that surrounding landscapes, infrastructures, sewage and waste treatment activities won't be affected," he said. "People come to Tam Dao because of its nature and fresh air."
According to Khiem, the local authorities must understand the position of Tam Dao. Since the early days of the 20th century, Tam Dao has received special attention as an ideal resort and the French architecture is a highlight of Tam Dao that should be preserved.
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