Hanoi’s population reached 9.6 million in 2017 – the same number forecast for 2030. (Photo: thanhnien.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Hanoi’s population had spiralled out of control with the capital’s total number of residents already exceeding the target set for 2030, according to a report by the National Assembly.
In a report on the five-year implementation of the Law on the Capital which granted Hanoi authorities unique jurisdiction to develop the city, the NA’s Committee for Judicial Affairs said that Hanoi’s population had reached 9.6 million in 2017 – the same number set out for 2030 in the city’s master development plan.
The committee estimated that the population was very likely to climb to nearly 10.5 million in 2020, a figure previously forecast for 2050.
The report also found that Hanoi had failed to meet a target of reducing the population in four downtown districts where the number of residents has continued to increase.
The total population of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da and Hai Ba Trung districts was recorded at 966,806 people in 2013, and expanded to more than 1.13 million last year.
The four districts together with Thanh Xuan and Cau Giay had the highest population densities with an average of 30,500 people per km sq, according to the report.
“Overcrowding has left Hanoi unable to balance infrastructure growth with the demand, leading to other consequences to economic and social development,” the report concluded.
According to the NA’s Committee for Judicial Affairs, Hanoi was supposed to issue guidelines on urban planning and architectural standards in the four downtown districts in 2013 as part of efforts to reduce the population density.
However, the long delay had resulted in several apartment projects mushrooming and attracting more people.
Rough statistics from 2017 showed that Ba Dinh district had approved the construction of seven high-rise apartment projects which were all located on main streets like Lieu Giai, Doi Can, Giang Vo, Lang Ha and Yen Phu.
Dong Da district also had seven projects while Hai Ba Trung authorities gave the green light to six buildings.
“Hanoi had even failed to comply with regulations set by the Ministry of Construction regarding construction density and the height of buildings,” the report said.-VNS/VNA
VNA
