HCMC – The HCMC Department of Construction has proposed a budget of VND221.37 trillion to relocate nearly 40,000 canalside houses over the next five years.
The proposal, recently submitted to the HCMC People’s Committee, outlines plans to relocate all makeshift houses situated on and along rivers and canals in the city by 2030. The initiative aims to clear waterways, improve sanitation, enhance urban renewal, and develop land along canals for economic purposes.
The total estimated budget includes VND130.68 trillion for compensation, nearly VND10.7 trillion for building social housing for those ineligible for compensation, and VND80 trillion for infrastructure upgrades, dredging, and canal rehabilitation.
Following implementation, the Government expects to recover over VND164.1 trillion from land development along the canals.
To support urban renewal and commercial projects, the department has identified 18 potential expansion areas, with a total capacity of 9,922 housing units, aimed at attracting investment.
HCMC’s relocation program for canalside houses began in 1993 with the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal project, leading to the clearance of 44,338 houses and significantly improving the city’s landscape. However, since 2006, progress has slowed.
According to the HCMC Department of Construction, 398 canal and river projects across 16 districts and Thu Duc City remain unimplemented, requiring the relocation of around 39,600 houses.
