Hà Nội needs to accelerate the renovation of old apartment buildings
Hà Nội needs drastic measures to remove bottlenecks and accelerate the renovation and reconstruction of dilapidated old apartment buildings.
Hà Nội needs drastic measures to remove bottlenecks and accelerate the renovation and reconstruction of dilapidated old apartment buildings.
Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Construction Mạc Đình Minh said that a project to repair and rebuild old apartment buildings in Hà Nội has been ongoing for three years, but the results are disappointing.
There are 1,579 apartment buildings that are more than 50 years old in Hà Nội, mostly located in four downtown districts.
Minh pointed out that planning-related issues are a major bottleneck for districts trying to deal with dilapidated apartment buildings. Many buildings are in locations that are set to be turned into parks. Limits on the height of buildings and low population density in some areas also make it unattractive for developers to renovate old apartment buildings, he said.
Another difficulty is the poor condition and quality of old apartment buildings.
Most projects are now being implemented more slowly than previously approved, as developers and residents have not reached agreements on compensation and relocation supports, he said. Often, residents require high compensation, which affects developers' investment efficiency.
It is also difficult to clearly identify the ownership of many old buildings, including for State-owned property.
To remove these bottlenecks, the construction department urged district people’s committees to focus on completing detailed planning as a base to implement the renovation and reconstruction of the buildings. Compensation, relocation and construction plans for each project must also be accelerated.
Although the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings is considered a priority for Hà Nội, it is also a challenge. Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Dương Đức Tuấn asked relevant departments and districts to enhance coordination to implement the project more efficiently, with an aim of building a modern and civilised Hà Nội and improving residents' lives.
The municipal People’s Committee has asked the construction department to come up with solutions to remove the bottlenecks and accelerate the renovation of old apartment buildings. The Department of Planning and Architecture will provide support to districts to complete the planning stages, with the first phase to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025. — VNS
