HCMC – Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have proposed classifying idle prime land plots in the downtown area into two groups, those to be maintained as temporary public parks and those to proceed with planned developments, in a bid to optimize land use and expand green space while projects are pending.
Under the latest proposal by the municipal Department of Construction, the first group would cover sites not yet ready for immediate development. These areas would continue to be used as temporary parks or gardens to preserve urban aesthetics and serve the community.
Notable locations include 135 Nguyen Hue – 39 Le Loi streets, 8 Vo Van Tan Street and the block bounded by Le Thanh Ton, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Le Loi, and Nguyen Trung Truc streets, known as the SJC project site. At the SJC block, the managing enterprise has proposed support mechanisms such as land rent reductions and permission to commercially utilize part of the site to help fund the maintenance of green space.
Other sites, including 152 Tran Phu and 33 Nguyen Du, would also remain as temporary parks. Meanwhile, the bow-shaped site at 2-4-6 Nguyen Hue Boulevard would only be maintained in this form until April 30 before being handed back.
The second group would include plots with defined development plans already underway, such as 2-4-6 Hai Ba Trung, 8-12 Le Duan, and 87 Cong Quynh. Investors would be required to improve site facades, add greenery, and ensure environmental sanitation throughout the construction period.
The Department of Construction stressed that the use of temporary parks must strictly comply with regulations, ensuring no change in land-use purpose, no disruption to project timelines, and no additional legal procedures. Funding for the operation of these temporary spaces would be mobilized from private sources or developers themselves, helping ease pressure on the state budget.
The HCMC authority should consider optimizing idle prime land in Vung Tau for used as public parks or leased out to be used for commercial/ entertainment venues especially for those old but interesting colonial buildings.