HCMCity (VNS/VNA) - HCM City has developed a plan to develop newriverside activities and economic services along the SaigonRiver in the 2020-2045 period.
The riverbank area will be developed to promote the value of the naturalenvironment and local culture of the city.
Canals and rivers in the area will be connected to a multi-functionalgreen infrastructure system that will include transport, environmental,cultural and economic services.
Nguyen Thanh Nha, head of the city's Department of Planning and ArchitectureDepartment, said the Saigon River passes through the centre ofthe city where many commercial activities and services already exist,and has the potential for new economic services along the river.
According to experts, the Saigon riverside area should primarily be aspace for public activities and entertainment services for residents andtourists.
Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son said the city lacks a public area,so the riverside area should be planned into a public areabefore services are developed there.
The infrastructure should include river embankments, wharves,pedestrian routes, rental bicycles, and a metro transit station, he said.
According to the department, public facilities in this area will help fuelthe development of economic services related to waterways andinfrastructure in the riverside area.
Waterway transport can carry a large volume of freight at thelowest cost compared to other means of transport, according to Son.
From now to 2025, the city will adjust the planning and design of theriverside area of Saigon River. It will also give priorityto renovation projects, mostly for entertainment and tourism, in areasnear the river, such as the city centre.
From 2025 to 2045, the city will also implement green infrastructure projectsand continue to develop tourism activities and economic entertainmentservices./.
VNA