VGP - Vietnam will strive to achieve an urbanization rate of 38% with 870 urban areas by 2015, according to a draft national urban development program from now until 2020 proposed by the Ministry of Construction.
The rate is expected to reach 45 percent with close to 940 urban areas by 2020.
The development of urban areas will be in line with the socio-economic development strategy for the 2011-2020 period, in the direction of a green economy, contributing to the country’s industrialization and modernization process.
The urbanization must ensure that urban land is used effectively, and the development of infrastructure and environmental protection are carried out in a synchronous manner. These efforts are expected to help local urban areas stand out among others in the region and the world.
In order to fulfill this goal, the localities need to pay attention to urban planning while encouraging encourage investment under the BOT (build-operate-transfer), BTO (build-transfer-operate) and PPP (public-private partnership) models in urban construction and services such as water drainage, sewage treatment, and environmental improvement.
In the short-term, it is necessary to perfect mechanism and train human resources.
The Ministry of Construction said that apart from the local budget, the State should provide more capital and mobilize other credit sources to implement the program.-VNA