Transit oriented development must look beyond station gate
Vietnam s push for transit oriented development will succeed only if planners investors and city officials treat the land around each station as seriously as the railway itself
Transit-oriented development (TOD) in Vietnam should focus on more than just the station gate, according to experts speaking at a forum. Dr. Jingfeng Xu, a consultant from Arup, emphasized that TOD is about creating livable neighborhoods, not just increasing density or land value. He argued that it requires collaboration between government, transport authorities, developers, investors, planners, designers, and communities to consider the entire community and place.
The city of Ho Chi Minh City is preparing for TOD by planning services and public spaces within a certain distance of each station. Officials have also been working on legal frameworks, with four of seven resolutions already implemented. Developers cautioned against shortcuts, such as the build-transfer model, where private firms build lines to secure land and later hand it over to the government.
Instead, they advocated for a long-term approach where the developer remains responsible for construction, development, and operation.
Vietnam's strong fundamentals for TOD include rapid urbanization, major investments in metro and transport infrastructure, and growing public expectations for healthier, more liveable urban environments. TOD should be viewed as a way to create complete, inclusive, and resilient communities, emphasizing sustainability, housing quality, and social inclusivity. Developers need to design for the entire life cycle of a project, considering public spaces, greenery, walkability, and diverse housing options.
Neil McGregor, CEO of Savills Vietnam, noted that Vietnam's legal framework for urban development is now robust, and there is growing interest from international capital markets. Buyers and tenants are shifting away from a speculative mindset, focusing more on the quality of living spaces, such as nearby restaurants, gyms, and other amenities.
To accelerate TOD delivery in the coming decade, the most crucial commitment is to design and deliver places around people, not vehicles, requiring long-term collaboration among various stakeholders.
Written by urgent.news from Vietnam Investment Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
