Me Linh District plans to become a green urban hub

Ha Noi authorities have unveiled a $10.37 billion, 15-year master plan to make its Me Linh District a green satellite city by the year 2030. VNA/VNS Photo Thai Ha

Located in the north of Ha Noi near the Noi Bai International Airport, the district is envisaged becoming a green satellite city of the capital with 1,897ha dedicated to green belts and green corridors, 4,975ha to agriculture research and cultivation.

Deputy Chairman of the district's People's Committee Ha Huy Quang said the district's green urban development focus would balance the industrial orientation of neighbouring districts and towns.

Turning the district into a green city would also build on its inherent strengths and advantages as a well-established agriculture production centre with large potential for cultivation of flowers, vegetables and other produce, he said.

Situated right at the northwest gate of the capital, the district's agriculture produce will enjoy easy access to the largest market in the Red River Delta, he added.

Existing industrial complexes in the district will be redesigned to become more environmental friendly.

The official publication of the district's master plan is significant because it will provide businesses and residents with a guideline of future development that they can participate in.

With the new master plan being published, the district authorities, agencies, businesses and residents will be able to monitor its implementation and ensure that the district's development stays in the right direction, Quang said.

Some roadblocks

The district used to be a part of Vinh Phuc Province. After the province merged and became a part of Ha Noi in 2008, the district had to make a number of adjustments to the master plan, creating a few problems including out-of-sync infrastructure development projects and uncoordinated effort between local authorities and real-estate developers.

The representative of a green urban centre at the Tien Phong Ward in the district said their project had been approved by the Vinh Phuc Province People's Committee before the merger.

The project developer had invested money to build infrastructure, but adjustments made in the new master plan have "isolated" the project, making it impossible for them to continue, he said.

The Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper reported the representative as saying, "Without access to the main routes, our project is no more than a no-man's land. All the time and money invested will be completely wasted," he said.