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And rapid expansion and complex planning procedures are likely to ensure that the rate will not quickly improve.
The survey shows that in major cities such as Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Da Nang from 70 to 100 per cent of the inner-city has been thoroughly planned.
Detailed planning ranges from 25 to 40 per cent in outer-city small-to-medium urban precincts.
The figure for numerous smaller centres was just 5 to 10 per cent.
Ha Tay next?
Ha Noi Construction Department director Do Xuan Anh says building in Ha Tay Province where it was merged with the capital last year, is similar to Ha Noi ten years ago.
Unlicensed construction and trespass on public land.
But 92 per cent of construction outside the expansion zone work last year was licensed – 6 per cent higher than 2007.
“We, the representatives of relevant agencies, have made a list administrative procedures,” says the director.
“We found that the obstacles stemmed from procedures for architectural planning.”
The director argues that it will be necessary to inspect the entire newly-expanded Ha Noi and not just Ha Noi, Ha Dong and Son Tay towns as at present to synchronise urban planning for the capital.
Provincial growth
Most provinces are able to provide greater urban plans except for those zones undergoing rapid urbanisation or tourism development.
Northern Thanh Hoa Province Construction Department deputy director Tran Hoa says rural planning is difficult because administrators lack expertise.
“The problems caused by waste are less than those of urban areas,” he says.
“Residents empty their rubbish wherever they want and don’t care where waste water is discharged.
“It means urban development has to start from basics.”
Slowing down permits
The Ha Noi Construction Department reports that the issuing of construction licences for many districts of the newly-expanded Ha Noi is limited.
Chuong My, Ung Hoa and Me Linh Districts have granted only two or three licences and in many precincts residents do not obtain a licence before starting work.
In old Ha Tay Province, officials stopped work at 134 out of 173 projects where regulations had been violated. Forty six offenders were fined and 20 warned. The total of projects was 361.
Ha Noi Construction Department deputy director Nguyen Khac Tho says Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has instructed the Ha Dong, Son Tay and Me Linh Districts to appoint building inspectors.
“Twelve of 29 Ha Noi’s 29 districts do not have building inspectors although many are undergoing rapid urbanisation,” he says.
VietNamNet/VNS