The Hanoi People's Committee should be authorized to determine the method for choosing a competent domestic or foreign consulting firm to develop crucial plans to support regulatory tasks.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Le Hong Son. Photos: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Le Hong Son shared the view, which is among a number of the city's contributions to the draft amendments to the Capital Law, set to be submitted to the upcoming 6th session of the 15th National Assembly for consideration this week.

“The move is aimed at streamlining the approval of detailed plans that are inconsistent with the existing zoning plans, as normally, adjustment to the zoning plan requires cumbersome procedures," Son said at the meeting last weekend.

He expected such an amendment would address current challenges in urban planning and its execution due to the lack of clear specifications in regulatory documents in the current legal framework.

Regarding measures to ensure the implementation of planning, Son suggested the Hanoi People's Committee be given the authority to adjust planning and architectural standards within the TOD (transit-oriented development), provided that such adjustments still adhere to technical and social infrastructure requirements, he said.

The vice chairman added that the regulation allowing the local authorities to modify architectural planning criteria in the TOD area is comprehensive and takes into account factors like building density, land use ratios, technical infrastructure standards, and social infrastructure requirements. This regulation will allow the city to adjust land use ratios and reduce building density in the TOD area, thereby optimizing land use and allocating more space for transportation and public amenities.

Overview of the meeting.

Son stressed that the amended Capital Law is a unique piece of legislation with specific mechanisms and a broad scope of influence, setting it apart from many other existing laws and documents. It has implications for various central agencies, and its complex, novel content poses challenges in terms of legislative techniques. Consequently, discussions on the bill in the National Assembly are expected to generate differing and potentially conflicting opinions on certain issues.

In the upcoming National Assembly session, the Hanoi People's Committee will urge city departments, branches, and stakeholders to ensure their active involvement and close coordination with the Ministry of Justice in elucidating and clarifying the law project. They will work closely with agencies within the National Assembly, ministries, and central bodies to provide reports, explanations, and insights on the amended law. This strategy aims to leverage the support and consensus of central agencies and National Assembly representatives in shaping the future of the bill.