Quyết định 445/QD-TTg

DECISION

APPROVING MODIFICATION OF THE MASTER PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF VIETNAM’S URBAN SYSTEM BY 2025 WITH VISION TO 2050

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization dated December 25, 2001; Pursuant to the Law on Construction dated November 26, 2003; Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 08/2005/ND-CP dated January 25, 2005 on the construction plan; After considering the request of the Ministry of Construction,

HEREBY DECIDES

Article 1. Approve modification of the master plan for development of Vietnam’s urban system by 2025 with vision to 2050, including key elements as follows:

1. Viewpoint

The master plan for development of Vietnam’s urban system is aimed at succeeding in the objective of industrialization, modernization, and working toward the people’s prosperity, the country’s strength, equal, democratic and civilized society. The establishment and development of Vietnam’s urban system by 2025 with vision to 2050 must conform to the following requirements:

- In line with the distribution and development level of forces of production along with Vietnam’s requirements of the process of industrialization, modernization and international economic integration;

- The urban system should be properly developed and distributed throughout the country, and create the balanced regional development. Take into account the connection between urban and rural areas, assure the national strategy for food security; improve the urban quality, preserve and uphold appropriate cultural and traditional values over time periods of the country's general growth;

- Promote the stable, sustainable development on the basis of proper spatial organization, and rationally utilize natural, land resources and consume less energy; stimulate the environmental protection and maintain the ecological balance;

- Consistently develop social and technical infrastructure systems at an appropriate and modern level in conformity with operating and utilization requirements and the development strategy of each urban zone;

- Firmly combine with commitments on maintenance of social security, national defence and social safety; in relation to coastal, islandish urban areas and those developed alongside border corridors, meet requirements for performance of national sovereignty protection and maintenance duties.

2. Objectives

Gradually establish and improve Vietnam's urban systems to the extent that they are developed by applying the urban network model; keep relevant, consistent and modern technical and social infrastructure system in place; have good urban environment and living standards; uphold progressive and traditionally unique urban architect; reach the targeted position and demonstrate high competitive capability in the process of national, regional and international socio-economic development, and take part in effective implementation of two strategic missions, including the construction of socialism and protection of the nation.

3. Urban development requirements

a) Urban population growth rate:

By 2015, the urban population nationwide is expected to be about 35 million of inhabitants, accounting for 38% of total urban population nationwide; by 2020, the urban population is expected to be approximately 44 million of inhabitants, accounting for 45% of total urban population nationwide; by 2025, the urban population nationwide is expected to be about 52 million of inhabitants, accounting for 50% of total urban population nationwide.

b) Urban classification and level of urban government

- By 2015, urban zones nationwide are expected to amount in total to about 870 of which there are 02, 09, 65, 79 and 687 of special-class, class I, II, III, IV and V urban zones respectively.

- By 2025, urban zones nationwide are expected to amount in total to about 1,000 of which there are 17 of class I to special class urban zones, 20 of class II urban zones, 81 of class III urban zones, 122 of class IV urban zones, and the rest is class V urban zones.

c) Demand for urban development land:

By 2015, urban development land in demand is expected to be 335,000 ha, accounting for 1.06% of total natural land areas nationwide with the intended occupancy density of 95 m²/inhabitant on average; by 2020, urban development land in demand is expected to be about 400,000 ha, accounting for 1.3% of total natural land areas nationwide with the intended occupancy density of 90 m²/inhabitant on average; by 2025, urban development land in demand is expected to be about 450,000 ha, accounting for 1.4% of total natural land areas nationwide with the intended occupancy density of 85 m²/inhabitant on average.

d) Urban technical infrastructure:

- In large or extremely large-sized urban zones (special class, class I and II), land used for transportation facilities account for 20%-26% of urban construction land while the percentage of such land account for 15% - 20% in average and small-sized urban zones; the percentage of public passenger transportation in large-sized urban zones is expected to be 35% by 2015 and more than 50% by 2025.

- More than 80% and 90% of urban population by 2015 and 2025 respectively are expected to have access to clean water; 100% of urban zones is expected to have access to electricity for daily use by 2015; more than 80% of main streets is expected to have access to lighting systems and more than 50% of these streets is expected to have access to landscape lighting system by 2025; waste water and solid waste discharged from urban areas are planned to be collected and radically treated in accordance with stipulated standards.

- Information and communications infrastructure is expected to grow robustly to meet requirements for urban development and international economic integration; by 2015, more than 80% and 100% of government of class III urban areas or higher class ones by 2015 and 2025 respectively are expected to apply the model of electronic urban government and citizenship.

- Other technical infrastructure must conform to stipulated construction standards and Vietnam’s laws.

dd) Urban housing development:

- By 2015, the residential space is expected to be more than 15 m²/inhabitant on average;

- By 2025, the residential space is expected to be more than 20 m²/inhabitant on average.

4. Plan for the national urban system

a) General plan:

Vietnam’s urban system by 2025 with vision to 2050 is planned to develop over stages with assurance that advantages specified in the master plan for Vietnam's urban development by 2020 approved by the Prime Minister in 1998 will be upheld, and to conform to requirements for the national socio-economic development over periods of time and for the international economic integration.

The plan for development of urban spatial structure nationwide must ensure the reasonable development of basically urbanized areas within 6 national socio-economic regions, the North, Central Coast and South; the East and West; ensure relation to the development of national primary and secondary growth poles as well as ensure network-based development with multi-layer connections between urban classes and categories.

From now to 2015, the development of key economic regions, large-sized urban zones and general economic zones should be prioritized to make them play a significant role as national-level growth pole; from 2015 to 2025, development of basically urbanized areas should be prioritized to reduce the dispersed and confined development; from 2026 to 2050, the urban development by using the model of urban network should gradually prevail.

b) Plan for the spatial structure of nationwide urban systems:

- Urban network

The national urban network is classified into central urban zones at the national level; central urban zones at the regional and inter-provincial level; central urban zones at the provincial level; central urban zones at the district level; central urban zones at clusters of rural residential areas (hereinafter referred to as central urban zone at the regional level) and new urban zones.

The nationwide urban network is established and developed on the basis of central urban zones, including central cities at the national, regional and international level such as Hanoi capital, Ho Chi Minh city, municipalities like Hai Phong, Da Nang and Hue; central cities at the regional level such as Ha Long, Viet Tri, Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Vinh, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Buon Ma Thuot, Bien Hoa, Vung Tau and Can Tho; central cities and townships at the provincial level, including 5 central cities at the national, regional and international level, and 12 urban zones which are aforesaid central cities along with other cities and townships; central urban zones at the district level, including townlets and townships which plays their role as specialized centers of provinces and central urban zones at the subregional level, including townlets which play their role as the centers of clusters of rural residential areas or as satellite urban zones and counterpoise urban zones in territories over which large and extremely large-sized urban zones have influence.

- Central urban zones at all levels are distributed in an appropriate fashion by taking into account 6 national socio-economic regions:

+ The Northern Midlands and mountains, including 14 provinces: Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Dien Bien, Son La, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Hoa Binh and Phu Tho; is subdivided into smaller regions such as the Eastern Mountains of the North, the Northern Mountains of the North and the Western Mountains of the North.

+ Red River Delta, including 11 cities and provinces: Bac Ninh, Binh Phuc, Quang Ninh, Hanoi capital, Hai Duong, Hai Phong city, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Ninh Binh;

+ North Central area and Central coastal area, including 14 provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang city, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan; is subdivided into smaller regions, including the North Central area, the Middle area of Central area and South Central area;

+ The Central Highlands, including 5 provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong;

+ The Southeast, including 6 cities and provinces: Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh city and Tay Ninh;

+ Mekong River Delta, including 12 cities and provinces: Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Can Tho city, An Giang, Tien Giang, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

c) Large and extremely large-sized urban zones

Large and extremely large-sized urban zones, such as Hanoi capital and Ho Chi Minh city, Hai Phong, Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, Quy Nhon and Can Tho, etc. are planned to develop by using the model of conurbation, counterpoise urban zones or satellite urban zones with protective barriers in order to maximally restrict the concentration of population, economic facilities and ecological imbalance. Hanoi capital and Ho Chi Minh city are major urban areas designated to play their central role.

d) Urban megalopolis and conurbation

Depending on natural conditions, relations and resources for development, urban megalopolis and conurbation must be properly arranged in basically urbanized areas, alongside border and coastal corridors, on islands and East-West corridor routes, and create reasonable connection within each region and throughout the entire national territory, and relate socio-economic development to security and national defence maintenance.

5. Plan for arrangement of national urban technical infrastructure

a) Arrange the spatial structure of technical and social infrastructure for urban zones at the regional or inter-regional level over specific stages provided that this is relevant to potentials and the master plan for regional socio-economic development and ensures connection between inland regions and conforms to requirements for the international economic integration. Capitalize on national resources to build, refurbish and improve important technical facilities at the regional or inter-regional level, including roads, railroads, airports and sea ports, North – South national highway and railroad system, and build access roads to connect urban zones to basically urbanized areas, border and coastal corridors and islands.

Specific territories must equally have access to energy and water supply, information and communications, surface water and dirty water drainage, environmental sanitation, and meet requirements for and reach the level of regional and urban development.

b) Upgrade and build technical infrastructure within urban zones with a view to ensuring consistency and modernity upon request and level of development of each urban zone. Have capability of preventing floods that may cause harm to urban zones; combine with the master plan for development of irrigation and hydropower projects on river basins, including effective operation, management and conduct of irrigation and hydropower projects located upstream.

6. Protection of environment, natural landscape, and maintenance of ecological balance in urban zones

- Define, protect and maintain basic natural system including natural forests, protective forests, national parks, plants and water surface, etc. which are relevant to natural conditions of each region and urban zone.

- Reasonably exploit natural and land resources, and consume less energy, water, mineral and forest resources, etc. to serve the purpose of urban improvement and construction.

- Draw up the plan for proper urban structure which ensures that it can meet people’s and social demands for accommodations, work places, travel, rest and recreational activities; strive to reach green and aesthetic urban standards.

7. Plan for development of urban architecture and landscape

- The general urban architectural and landscape characteristics of each region or urban zone must be unique and consistent with specific conditions in relation to economy, nature, population, society, scientific and technical competence, local cultural and historical traditions and new development requirements. The general urban architecture is the harmonious combination between improvement of existing facilities and construction of new ones; encourages the reform of traditional cultural and architectural environment.

- Create the urban architectural and landscape face which is modern, unique and contributes to creating urban images equivalent to the stature of our country in the period of industrialization, modernization and international integration. Stimulate the work of urban design in order to improve the spatial quality and landscaping architecture of each urban zone in general, and of central areas or main streets in particular.

- Pay particular attention to the urban architecture of urban zones which play their central role in the country, including Hanoi capital, Ho Chi Minh city; protect and decorate urban landscapes at heritage and particular urban zones, including Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat and Sa Pa; of ancient and old towns; historical and cultural sites as well as valuable architectural and landscaping structures, etc.

8. Implementation timeline

a) From now to 2015

- Prioritize development of key economic regions, economic zones located near coasts, on islands and at bordergates, which are expected to emerge as national primary or secondary growth poles. Take best advantage of key regions so that these regions will make greater contribution to the whole development of the country and assist regions which are faced with hardship or are capable of integrating into the international economy on a large scale and at a higher level. Concentrate on attracting investments, develop large or extremely large-sized urban zones which will play their central role or the role as main drive force in each region, and create the balanced development on national territories in order to contribute to promoting development of the whole economy in the country.

- Promote development of urban zones which are secondary growth poles at the Northwest, North Central area, South Central area, Central Highlands and Mekong River Delta; concentrate on investment in development of production infrastructure, industrial, service and commercial zones which play their role as the labor-attracting centers with assurance that economic growth is stable, and serve as the basis for changes made to economic sectors with a view to meeting industrialization and modernization requirements, and to increasing state budget receipts and creating employments.

- Save relevant resources for investment in development of average and small-sized urban zones on the basis of making best use of advantages and potentials of all regions, and cooperate with each other in development of all regions.

- Invest in development and modernization of urban infrastructural facilities, and create the favorable environment for attraction of investments, improve manufacturing conditions and living standards of the population and stimulate the process of urbanization and new rural development.

- Prevent the uncontrolled spreading of urban development, and properly utilize natural and land resources, and restrict major grading activities which may cause topographical and landscape distortion to lead to land erosions and floods. Concentrate on investment and improve environmental hygiene conditions in urban zones, and preserve cultural and historical values of each urban zone, and protect environment and maintain ecological balance in urban zones as well as develop green, clean and aesthetic urban zones.

b) From 2016 to 2025

- Stimulate the vigorous development of basically urbanized areas, healthy economy, and ensure the connection for development between regions, the North, Central area and South, the East and West, and urban and rural areas is harmonious.

- Urban zones which play the role as regional, sub-regional centers, and urban megalopoles and conurbations at basically urbanized areas are invested in, upgraded and constructed to accord with positions, roles and functions of each urban zone, and become resources that encourage the development of economy, society, national security and defence.

c) From 2026 to 2050

Encourage establishing and improving Vietnam's urban systems to the extent that they are developed by applying the urban network model; keep relevant, consistent and modern technical and social infrastructure system in place; have access to advanced and unique urban architecture; build relations and reach the targeted position and demonstrate high competitive capability in the progress of national, regional and international socio-economic development.

9. Measures regarding main legislation and policies on urban development

a) Implementation measure

- Reform urban development legislation and policies within the scope of governmental authority, and on management of plans, houses and land; manage investment in construction, operation and utilization of urban projects, and make fundamental changes to nationwide urban systems.

- Raise the position, competence and power of Ministries, industrial authorities and local administrative units in organizing, performing and managing the urban development. Promote the delegation of urban authority; elevate powers and responsibilities of urban government at all levels.

b) Measures regarding capital mobilization

- Set up funds for urban infrastructure development, diversify sources of collections and collection methods at urban zones; establish the mechanism for urban infrastructure development by taking advantage of multiple capital source with a view to encouraging non-state sector involvements.

- Reform the work of land management and real estate market development; further improve and reform policies on urban housing and land in order to stabilize people's lives and create urban development resources.

c) Measures regarding environmental science and technology

Stimulate the application of scientific and technological advances for the purposes of urban refurbishment, construction and modernization; form electronic urban governments.

d) Measures regarding personnel training

Design and implement the program for training and improvement of urban management and development competence for leaders of urban zones at all levels before submitting it to request the Prime Minister to grant his decision.

Article 2. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Construction

- Arrange to disseminate modification to the master plan for development of Vietnam’s urban system by 2025 with vision to 2050, and implement such plan in accordance with laws;

- Review and inspect the implementation of plans for regional construction which have been approved by the Prime Minister to ensure consistency and effectiveness;

- Take charge of and cooperate with relevant Ministries, industrial authorities and People’s Committees of centrally-affiliated cities and provinces in designing and submitting the 5-year and 10-year national urban development program to the Prime Minister in accordance with the approved master plan for development of Vietnam’s urban system by 2025 with vision to 2050.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall cooperate with the Ministry of Construction and relevant Ministries and industrial authorities in establishing the model and mechanism for management of urban regions in accordance with the approved master plan for development of Vietnam’s urban system by 2025 with vision to 2050.

3. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall cooperate with the Ministry of Construction and relevant authorities in setting up the plan for land use and clarifying responsibilities for management and use of land in each locality in accordance with the approved construction plan.

4. The People’s Committee of central-affiliated cities and provinces shall take charge of and cooperate with the Ministry of Construction and related agencies in establishing the urban development program within their areas; prepare plans and measures to execute such program in an effective manner.

Article 3. This Decision shall enter into force from the signature date.

Ministers, Heads of Ministry-level agencies, Heads of Governmental agencies, and Presidents of People’s Committees of central-affiliated cities and provinces, shall be responsible for enforcing this Decision./.