Yen Chau town center.

Developing Yen Chau town into a type V urban area is one of the goals set forth in the Resolution of the Yen Chau District Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term. To realize this goal, Yen Chau district has mobilized resources for urban development in a modern and sustainable direction; focusing on accelerating the adjustment and expansion of administrative boundaries, and building the town into the political, economic, cultural, and social center of the district.

Rapid urbanization has led to a shrinking land supply in Yen Chau town, failing to meet urban development demands. A review of the standards reveals that the town does not meet the criteria for population size and natural area of ​​a type V urban area. Specifically, the town's area is 1.17 km², only reaching 8.3% (compared to the regulated 14 km²); its population is over 3,900 people, reaching only 98% of the required area. Furthermore, numerous difficulties and shortcomings exist in management, architectural planning, infrastructure development, revenue generation, landscape maintenance, and environmental protection.

The People's Committee of Yen Chau district held a meeting to solicit public opinion on the reorganization of administrative units and the expansion of Yen Chau town.

To ensure compliance with regulations on administrative unit standards and Type V urban areas, the People's Committee of Yen Chau District has developed a plan to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for approval of the adjustment of administrative boundaries of Vieng Lan and Sapp Vat communes to expand Yen Chau town. These communes have favorable geographical locations, many similarities, and are closely linked in terms of history, culture, geographical boundaries, and socio-economic connections with Yen Chau town.

Accordingly, the district A portion of the natural area of ​​8.14 km² and population of 2,633 people from Vieng Lan commune, and a portion of the natural area of ​​6.44 km² and population of 2,268 people from Sapp Vat commune, were incorporated into Yen Chau town. The remaining natural area of ​​Vieng Lan commune was merged into Chieng Pan and Sapp Vat communes. After the expansion, Yen Chau town has an area of ​​15.75 km² and a population of over 9,100 people, meeting 100% of the criteria for natural area and population of a town. The entire district reduced the number of commune-level administrative units from 15 to 14.

The conference sought opinions on the proposed plan for the general planning of Yen Chau town, Yen Chau district, Son La province until 2035.

Along with completing the Yen Chau town expansion project, the district has submitted to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Construction for approval the project to adjust the general planning of Yen Chau town according to the merger and expansion plan; focusing on prioritizing investment resources to complete urban technical infrastructure associated with expanding the town's space towards modernization and synchronization. The district has organized the announcement of the general planning project for Yen Chau town, Yen Chau district, Son La province until 2035; and completed the detailed construction plan for residential area sub-district 1, Yen Chau town.

Mr. Lu Van Cuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Chau District, said: The construction of Yen Chau town according to the criteria of a type V urban area is the basis for preparing detailed planning projects, urban architectural development orientations, planning management and construction investment according to regulations; effectively exploiting and using land and existing infrastructure systems to renovate, upgrade, and beautify the urban area to meet the requirements for housing, social infrastructure, technical infrastructure and environmental landscape, ensuring sustainable development.

To date, Yen Chau district has reviewed the entire planning, updated areas that have undergone localized adjustments, and synchronously integrated them with the new planning project. It has added functional zones and organized a rational planning structure to construct facilities that meet both immediate and long-term needs, ensuring cost savings. Simultaneously, it has mobilized resources to build technical and social infrastructure, providing a legal basis for management and investment in construction within the planned area.

In addition, the district also plans to develop key spatial axes, including the National Highway 6 section through the town, the Provincial Highway 103B connecting from National Highway 6 to Phiêng Khoài commune, and the landscape axis along Vạt stream. Urban expansion is defined to develop towards the southwest, south, and northeast of the town along Vạt stream. The plan aims to exploit the landscape and topography on both banks of Vạt stream, creating an urban green space; developing transportation routes along the length of Vạt stream; and developing commercial areas, parks, landscaped lakes, and industrial zones.

Phase 1 of the embankment project to prevent landslides along Vat stream, protecting Yen Chau town, has been completed.

Mr. Pham Duc Sinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Yen Chau town, said: "Since the beginning of this term, the town has received investment from state funds for many projects, such as: the first phase of the embankment project to prevent landslides along Vat stream to protect the town, with a total cost of 120 billion VND; the renovation of sidewalks and drainage ditches in the town center with a total cost of over 6 billion VND; and the construction of 3 cultural centers with a total value of nearly 10 billion VND... The completed projects contribute to creating a beautiful environment and a highlight for urban cultural and architectural spaces. To date, the town has met 53 standards corresponding to 5 criteria for a type V urban area."

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh, from sub-district 6, Yen Chau town, happily stated: "The town's expansion and investment in infrastructure will revitalize the town's urban landscape, creating opportunities and favorable conditions for people to develop their economy, increase their income, and benefit from better welfare facilities and policies."

The recognition of Yen Chau town as a type V urban area will create further impetus and serve as a foundation for urban development towards a civilized and modern direction, commensurate with the role and position of a central urban area in the socio-economic development of Yen Chau district, contributing to the realization of the goals set forth in the Resolution of the District Party Congress.

Source: Son La Newspaper