Da Nang plans a greener future

 The central city of Da Nang will have a face-lift as it becomes a green city following the Prime Minister's decision on the city's adjusted master urban plan for 2030 and 2050.

The plan, which was officially announced on Saturday, will build Da Nang as a centre of sports, education, science and technology for the central and Central Highlands region.

Da Nang also plays a strategic role in defence and security for the south central area, the Central Highlands and the entire country, boosting the socio-economic development for the region.

"The adjusted urban plan will play a key role for strategic and sustainable development of the city and the central and the Central Highlands regions," said chairman of the city's People's Committee, Van Huu Chien."It's also a legal base and a driving force to call for more investment in the city and the central region," Chien noted.As planned, the city will include six inner districts and two suburban districts of Hoa Vang and Hoang Sa, with an expected population of 2.3 million.

The city will be built on 128,543ha, of which Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands are on 30,500ha.

The city, which was recognised as a First Class city in 2003, will develop a 130ha centre for finance, banking, trade and services in the downtown, and a 3,700ha coastal service area.

Under the adjusted plan, the city will develop public transport with 15 bus routes, eight Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes and three metro routes, which aim to reduce carbon emissions, as well as address overcrowding and traffic congestion.The main route of the city's Bus Rapid Transit system will help connect Son Tra peninsula to the city's centre, Hoi An ancient town, My Son Sanctuary and the Ba Na Hills resort, along with industrial parks, university areas and tourist attractions.

Also, Da Nang Airports will be expanded to host 15 million passengers in 2030, while Tien Sa port will be upgraded to handle 5.5 million tonnes of cargo and 300,000 tourists per year, as well as new construction at Lien Chieu port.The plan also includes upgrading national highway No 1 and No 14G, as well as construction of new ring roads.

Further, the city will build a 100ha solid clean technology waste processing plant at Khanh Son dump to treat 2,000 tonnes of waste per day.The plan also includes the development of industrial parks on over 1,100ha and a 397ha centralised Information Technology park.Last year, the World Bank agreed to finance the Da Nang City Sustainable Development Project with US$272.1 million, of which $202.4 million will be funded by the World Bank.The American firm Rocky Lai & Associates Inc began construction of a 341-ha Da Nang IT Park as the largest ‘Silicon Valley' in the central region of Viet Nam, with a total investment of $278 million.The city plays an important role as a logistical centre for the coastal central region and the East-West Economic Corridor, which links Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Viet Nam.