Hanoi Considers Demolishing Buildings Around Hoan Kiem Lake for Redevelopment

Hanoi is pushing forward with a large-scale urban redevelopment plan aimed at preserving the landscape and revitalizing the urban space around Hoan Kiem Lake. As part of this plan, the demolition and reconstruction of several key buildings, including the City People's Committee (HĐND, UBND) headquarters, are under consideration. On September 6, the Department of Construction announced the commencement of a public consultation period for amendments to the urban planning for District H1-1B (Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings) and parts of District H1-1C. This plan combines 1:2,000 scale urban planning maps with 1:500 detailed plans, intending to renovate, upgrade, and reconstruct the spatial layout around Hoan Kiem Lake. The project area spans Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam districts, covering approximately 65.89 hectares. It is bordered by Hang Gai Street to the north, Hai Ba Trung Street to the south, Hang Trong Street to the west, and Nguyen Huu Huan Street to the east. In line with long-term capital development visions, the historic city center, including Hoan Kiem Lake, will be preserved and rebuilt to enhance existing urban landscape values, control new development, improve the quality of scenery, infrastructure, and environment, and add amenities for residents and tourists. Furthermore, the connection between Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding public squares will be strengthened. The vision positions Hoan Kiem Lake as a vast square, a symbol of the capital, integrated with the August Revolution Square and the Opera House to form a "History - Culture - Art" space. Connectivity, particularly on the north and east sides of the lake, will be enhanced, with plans to rebuild and upgrade community spaces, squares, and green parks. The renovation of landmark architecture and the creation of harmony between old and new structures, along with diverse and flexible spatial arrangements, are also planned. Specifically, the northern area of the lake is slated for the expansion of the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, with the potential addition of a symbolic structure akin to an "Arc de Triomphe" to open a new urban axis towards the Opera House. The eastern side will see the development of squares and parks around the City People's Committee headquarters, Ly Thai To Garden, Hanoi Post Office, and Hoa Phong Tower. Some architectural structures at the Hanoi Post Office that are deemed unsuitable for the modern landscape are also being considered for demolition. A new headquarters building, with nine above-ground floors and four basement levels, is projected for the City People's Committee site. The current buildings of the City People's Committee/City People's Council, Khanh Do Theater, and the Children's Palace are among those considered for demolition, although some French colonial-era structures are expected to be retained. This redevelopment plan also emphasizes the utilization of underground space, aiming to create multifunctional areas for transportation, parking, commerce, and cultural facilities. The plan includes integration with the underground station C9 of the metro line, forming a cultural, service, and commercial TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) zone. The Department of Construction is soliciting public feedback from September 7 to September 26, 2023. Source: VnExpress