The project isexpected to reduce the Old Quarter’s population density from 823 peopleper ha, as recorded in 2010, to 500 people per ha by 2020.
During the first phase, scheduled to last for three years starting fromthe fourth quarter of this year, 1,530 out of 6,550 targeted householdsin the Old Quarter will be moved to the Viet Hung new urban area in LongBien district.
Costing some 4.9 trillion VND, the 11.2 ha new urban area comprises 800 apartments.
The next phase of the project, which needs a total of 40 hectares ofland, will start immediately after the first’s completion and isscheduled to end in 2020.
As an important landmark of Hanoi,the 2000-year old quarter includes 36 streets, stretching from HoanKiem Lake to the south, Long Bien Bridge to the north, Tran Nhat DuatStreet to the east and the citadel wall on Ly Nam De Street to the west.
The streets have developed with shops in the front andliving areas in the backyard. As a result, homes became increasinglynarrow and the streets have become increasingly busy.-VNA