The research on Hanoi’s urban transportation system plans revealed that public transport was the vital factor for sustainable development.
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| Hanoi’s transportation system development is an international concern |
The research’s results were announced at an international seminar titled, “Sustainable development of Hanoi’s urban transportation system”, held June 25 in Hanoi.
Chairman of People’s Committee of Hanoi, Nguyen The Thao said, “Planning for the transportation infrastructure construction is the priority of Hanoi’s urban transportation planning. It is being planned to develop public transport and reduce personal transportation means in order to improve environmental pollution as well as traffic congestion issues. However, the planning needs comprehensive and logical consideration in line with the Hanoi Capital Construction Master Plan.”
The important role of the future transportation system for Hanoi’s development was highlighted in presentations addressed at the event. The transportation planning needs must go along with environmental protection and traffic safety. It has long been necessary to upgrade urban transportation infrastructure and diversify transportation services in addition to promoting urban train systems.
Assoc. Prof. PhD. Luu Duc Hai, Director of the Urban Development Department under the Ministry of Construction, said that sustainable urban transportation planning still followed a basic principal of maintaining the harmony between economic, social and environmental factors.
In terms of economy, it’s necessary to establish a transportation system which can support the city’s economic development with affordable investment. Socially, the transportation system needs to meet the traveling demands of all people. Finally, the system must not contaminate the environment.
Peter Midgley from The International Road Transport Union pointed out advantages of public transport such as metro and bus systems which can ease traffic problems. He concluded that public transport was vital to sustainable urban transportation.
Urban transportation infrastructure has developed slowly in Vietnam. It is attributed to traffic congestion and hazardous driving conditions. In fact, traffic road areas occupy only 7% of the total urban land area in Hanoi. Meanwhile, there are about 3,000 new cars and 3.6 million new motorbikes hitting the roads each year.
Minister of Transport, Ho Nghia Dung said, “To catch up with the development of a big city and to become modernised as other countries in the region will in the future, Hanoi’s transportation system needs to be upgraded and modernised directly in its master planning. Detailed planning, construction technology, traffic jam solutions as well as awareness of drivers must be included.”