Upgrade urban areas, create development directions for the future

Along with promoting socio-economic development, in recent times, Quang Ninh has focused on mobilizing all resources to invest in infrastructure, especially urban infrastructure. After many years of breakthrough efforts, the province has had a strong "transformation" with a new spacious, clean and beautiful appearance, gradually upgrading the urban area towards civilization and modernity.

The 176km long provincial highway axis extends from Bach Dang bridge to Mong Cai International Border Gate, connecting the province's urban chain, creating an important economic corridor in the socio-economic development plan. Photo: Do Phuong

To create resources for urban development, Quang Ninh identifies the work of formulating, appraising, approving, managing and implementing urban planning as a central and key task; Planning is the source of development, the legal framework for investment in developing fields... At the same time, boldly take the lead in successfully implementing the method of mobilizing investment resources in the form of partnerships. public-private (PPP). In the period from 2016 to present, Quang Ninh has mobilized large resources for infrastructure development, creating a breakthrough in transportation, urban areas, tourism and services. Many key projects of the province have been completed and put into use, contributing to strongly promoting regional connectivity and international cooperation. Connecting urban centers, seaports, industrial parks, high-tech zones of the province..., creating a sustainable and connected urban ecosystem.

To date, Quang Ninh has 13 urban areas, including 1 class I urban area directly under the province (Ha Long City); 3 class II urban areas (Mong Cai City, Cam Pha, Uong Bi); 2 towns are class III urban areas (Quang Yen, Dong Trieu), 3 urban areas are recognized as class IV (Van Don district, Tien Yen district, Quang Ha town), 4 towns have been recognized as urban areas. Type V belongs to Ba Che, Binh Lieu, Dam Ha and Co To districts. The population is about 1.35 million people, over 70% of whom live in urban areas.

According to leaders of the Department of Construction, Quang Ninh is currently one of the five localities with the highest urbanization rate in the country at 67.5%, higher than the national average (40.5%), especially in large urban areas: Ha Long, Mong Cai, Cam Pha, Uong Bi... Large-scale urban areas, concentratedly distributed in coastal areas, located on provincial or national traffic routes, where there are conditions for construction or located in tourism and landscape resource areas in tourism, mining, and industrial centers.

Based on the existing infrastructure, to continue to upgrade the urban level and create development directions for the future, recently, the Provincial People's Committee approved the Provincial Urban Development Program until 2030. Accordingly, Quang Ninh will strive to become a centrally run city according to its own model which is currently not specifically regulated in current legal documents. In particular, districts will not be formed, but an urban area will be formed including cities within the city, linked together by an advanced technical infrastructure system, such as an urban public transportation system. , information and communication technical infrastructure...

A corner of Ha Long urban area. Photo: Hoang Nga

Cities in this urban area include: Ha Long, Quang Yen, Uong Bi, Dong Trieu, Cam Pha, Van Don, Mong Cai (Hai Ha merged with Mong Cai), invested in construction and completion of standards for the quality of socio-economic infrastructure and technical infrastructure according to class I urban criteria by 2030; with 152 commune-level administrative units, including 77 wards (accounting for 51% of the wards); total natural area 4,025.48km 2 ; The permanent population is 978,348 people, the urban population reaches 848,228 people (accounting for 86.7%). Other urban areas in districts: Tien Yen, Dam Ha, Binh Lieu, Ba Che and Co To continue to invest and complete according to Decision 241/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister.

Also according to the Urban Development Program of Quang Ninh province to 2030, Quang Ninh province has the ability to achieve the criteria of a centrally run city according to the above urban model, and at the same time achieve urban development. criteria for class I urban areas.

According to the plan, by 2025, Quang Ninh province will have 13 administrative units with 13 urban areas, including: 1 class I urban area (Ha Long city); 3 class II urban areas (Uong Bi City, Cam Pha, Mong Cai); 3 class III urban areas (Quang Yen town, Dong Trieu town and Van Don urban area); 2 class IV urban areas (Tien Yen town, Quang Ha town); 4 class V urban areas (the towns of Binh Lieu, Ba Che, Dam Ha and Co To), urbanization rate is 70-75%. By 2030, Quang Ninh province will have 12 administrative units with 12 urban areas, including 4 class I urban areas (Ha Long, Mong Cai - Hai Ha, Uong Bi, Cam Pha); 3 class III urban areas, the quality of socio-economic and technical infrastructure reaches class I urban areas (Quang Yen, Dong Trieu, Cai Rong); 1 class III urban area (Tien Yen); 3 class IV urban areas (Dam Ha, Binh Lieu - Hoanh Mo - Dong Van, Co To); 1 class V urban area (Ba Che town), urbanization rate is over 75%.

To achieve the set goals, in the urban development program to 2030, the province has built 7 groups of solutions: Building urban management capacity; zoning; improve capacity to perform state management functions; attract population and train human resources ; develop urban infrastructure systems; economic development and environmental protection, climate change adaptation.

With clear groups of solutions, the drastic involvement of the entire political system, along with the established premises and solid foundation, Quang Ninh will soon complete the goal of becoming a class I urban city according to the law. Modern, green, civilized, rich in identity, development associated with preserving cultural values and promoting heritage values.

Hoai Anh BQN