New urban development plan for Ha Long City The authorities in Quang Ninh Province are working on a new urban development plan for Ha Long City.   illustrative image Ha Long City's general planning to 2030 with a view to 2050 was approved in 2013. After five years, it has seen significant socio-economic development, urbanisation and services. The Hai Phong-Ha Long-Van Don-Mong Cai Highway project, Ha Long Ocean Park, provincial library and new stadium project have helped to realise the goal to make Ha Long a national tourism centre. At such a rapid rate, the old plan has proved no longer suitable with the new zoning or population. It also has many shortcomings which cannot maximise the advantages of Ha Long or ensure sustainable development. According to the provincial authorities, strategic investors have proposed measures to ease congestion, develop infrastructure, control high-rise buildings and environmental pollution. Ha Long is divided into 20 wards on nearly 277km2. In 2017, Ha Long's population was 384,000. The provincial authorities aim to develop the city to meet the estimated population of 570,000 in 2030 and 720,000 in 2040. The demand for land is about 110-130m2 per person. The area of green space per capita is 10 to 15m2. They are also considering proposals to build pedestrian tunnels under Cua Luc Bay, a coastal road from Ha Long to Cam Pha and the Hanoi-Haiphong-Ha Long-Mong Cai railway. The Ministry of Construction has approved the proposal to adjust Ha Long's general planning. Quang Ninh Province People's Committee must report to the prime minister about any partial adjustments on the general. dtinews.vn