Deputy prime minister: shift from land subdivision to high-rise buildings

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung called for a gradual shift in mindset from land subdivision for sale to developing apartment buildings and high-rise housing to use land efficiently and meet urban development requirements.

Chairing a meeting to appraise the adjustment of the national land use plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, on the morning of 22/6, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung stated that the plan adjustment must be based on scientific principles, accurately assessing land needs and exploitation potential. This approach aims to avoid situations where land is held but not used efficiently.

He noted that "suspended planning"—prolonged plans that cannot be implemented in practice—still occurs in many areas. Such situations affect citizens' rights and lead to a waste of land resources.

Alongside the call for economical and efficient land use, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to gradually change the urban development mindset. This shift involves moving from land subdivision for sale to constructing high-rise residential areas and apartment buildings. The goal is to enhance land use efficiency and meet development needs in the new phase.

According to him, the national land use plan should not merely allocate land quotas. Instead, it must become a driving force for economic growth, environmental protection, national defense, and security, maximizing the value of this crucial resource. Concurrently, a more flexible governance mechanism between central and local authorities for land use quota allocation needs to be studied.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung speaking on the morning of 22/6. Photo: Gia Huy

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment stated that the national land use plan for the period 2021-2030, approved by the National Assembly in 2021, provided a basis for managing, allocating, and exploiting land resources. However, after nearly 5 years of implementation, the socio-economic development context has changed, necessitating review and adjustment to align with new development goals.

The period 2026-2030 is identified as a fast-track phase, with an average economic growth target of about 10% annually. Consequently, land demand for strategic infrastructure, industry, urban areas, services, energy, and national key projects has increased sharply compared to previous forecasts.

The draft plan identifies land as a strategic resource for national development. It prioritizes a synchronized, modern infrastructure system; industrial parks, economic zones, logistics centers; national strategic transport projects; major cities; and key energy projects. The plan also aims to maintain a reasonable area of rice cultivation land to ensure food security and keep forest cover above 42%.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment announced it will accelerate the establishment of a unified national land database. This will involve applying artificial intelligence, big data, internet of things, and geographical information systems to monitor land changes, detect violations early, and support management efforts.