The province’s urban areas have seen positive changes. Photo: BGP/Nguyen An.

Attention paid to planning work

Plans to build urban areas in the province were approved, while zoning and specific planning schemes were carried out and served as a foundation to draw urban development investment projects. Many urban areas have well-implemented construction management to become more spacious, green and clean, thus helping to foster the locality’s socio-economic development.

On the basis of the province’s urban development planning scheme approved by the provincial People’s Committee, the Department of Construction directed the People’s Committees of Bac Giang city and districts to make new or adjust planning for towns; expand urban areas or upgrade their types to meet short-term requirements and long-term development.

At present, Bac Giang has 17 urban areas, including one II-tier urban area (Bac Giang city), and two IV-tier urban areas (Chu town of Luc Ngan district and Thang town of Hiep Hoa district). These urban areas have over 243,000 people, accounting for 14.7 percent of the province’s population.

Infrastructure upgraded, expanded

Many new residential areas were established, contributing to raise urban quality. Photo: BGP/Nguyen An.

Along with the planning work and planning management, Bac Giang has paid much attention to upgrading and expanding urban infrastructure to meet local people’s requirements, with the focus placed on building, improving and expanding roads linking urban areas with internal roads. The water supply, drainage and lighting systems have been upgraded, while tree-growing areas have been expanded, especially in new urban areas and residential areas. About 80 percent of the population have gained access to clean water.

In addition, the Department of Construction has also guided localities on how to make projects to upgrade the urban type. Specifically, the expanded towns of Kep (Lang Giang district), Nha Nam (Tan Yen district) and Bo Ha were recognized as V -tier urban areas. Meanwhile, the expansion of administrative boundaries for Bac Giang city, Neo town of Yen Dung district, and Voi town of Lang Giang district is being considered.

Continuing to expand administrative boundaries of urban areas

Urban planning and management receive much attention. Photo: BGP/Nguyen An.

As the department continues to implement guidance documents of the provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee, in 2018, it will focus on the effective implementation of its key tasks including the expansion of administrative boundaries of the urban areas of Bac Giang city, Kep, Nha Nam, Bo Ha, Cao Thuong, Thang, Neo and An Chau towns.

The establishment of seven new wards in Bac Giang city and recognition for two urban areas of Bach Nhan town of Hiep Hoa district and extended Cao Thuong town of Tan Yen district that meets standards of V-tier urban areas are also on the agenda. The department will establish Mo Trang town in Yen The district as it has been recognized as V-tier urban areas.

It will devise an urban development plan for four areas of Bac Giang city, Hiep Hoa district, Chu town, and extended Doi Ngo town, as well as create documents proposing areas for urban development for Kep, Nha Nam, Bo Ha, Neo and An Chau towns.

A new joint planning scheme for six urban areas, namely Hiep Hoa district, Chu town, Phi Dien trade area, Viet Yen district, Phuong Son and Tan An towns will be devised while that for four urban areas of Doi Ngo, Voi, Cau Go, and An Chau towns will be adjusted. The department will map out regulations on urban planning management for Viet Yen urban area, Chu, Doi Ngo, Voi, Kep, Cau Go, Bo Ha, An Chau and Thanh Son towns and adjust the planning management and urban architecture regulations for Thang town.

Nguyen An