Xuan Huong Lake in Dalat City

The plan has been approved by Lam Dong Province officials, which includes specific changes by 2030 and a 'vision' to 2050. It was designed by the South Urban and Rural Planning Sub-institute in conjunction with France’s Interscène urban planning and landscaping company. According to the plan, Dalat would be expanded to an area occupying over 3,000 square kilometres.

Dalat has been well-known as a tourist destination because of its relatively cool climate and its large green spaces, often filled with flowering plants. The city has also made an effort to develop eco-tourism.

According to Thierry Huau, Director of Interscène, the expansion of Dalat would be well managed. He said that the plan will make for a sustainable city, with a network of appropriately-sized urban centres and economic and industrial zones, while new urban areas such as Nam Ban and Quang Lap would become training grounds for agricultural and high-tech workers. Eco-villages are also included in the plan, he said.

Nguyen Xuan Tien, Chairman of Lam Dong Province People's Committee, said that Dalat would be seen as a 'garden city', with its increased green spaces and charming architecture.

Still, the plan faced the criticism of many experts who said that the expansion would break the existing urban code with newly-built housing and that green spaces in the city would be replaced by residential areas.

Bruno De Meulder, a Belgian architect, said that the expansion would pose number of problems because it lacks consideration of city management and does not consider trends in the changing lifestyles of residents.

City consultants also warned against hasty decisions that could prove damaging to the aesthetics and even the temperature in urban areas.

Lakes within the city have long been an attraction for visitors to Dalat. Many of these lakes are surrounded by greenhouses that produce flowers and vegetables. Out of concern for these greenhouses, authorities have asked for a sustainable urban agriculture development plan. The population is on the rise, leading to more head-butting between those who wish to maintain the old atmosphere of the city and others who condone plans to create a more modern city.

One architect, Ngo Viet Nam Son, said Dalat is in danger of losing its charm because of the careless rush toward urbanisation.

During the meeting about Dalat City urban planning in 1994, then Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, said that it was essential for Dalat in particular and Lam Dong Province in general to preserve its green space.

Forecasts show that by 2030 the population of Dalat will increase to between 700,000 and 750,000, while the number of tourists is expected to be 9-10 million per year. The anticipated ratio of urbanised area is 60% to 70%.

Municipal authorities have been seeking to limit the height of buildings to between three to five floors.

Vietnamtoday