Guangzhou Metro says will share TOD development experience with Ho Chi Minh City

According to a report from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Agriculture and Environment submitted to the municipal People's Committee, the meeting involved various departments and agencies discussing Guangzhou Metro’s experience in urban planning, land development, and financial mobilization for implementing the TOD model in Guangzhou.

These insights are intended to serve as a reference for Ho Chi Minh City in considering practical application.

At the meeting, Guangzhou Metro shared more than 30 years of experience in developing and operating TOD-based projects and rapidly expanding its urban rail network.

Topics discussed included planning processes, administrative procedures, financial resource mobilization, technology application, construction solutions, and integrating rail projects with urban development through the TOD model.

Guangzhou has so far developed over 30 urban rail lines with a total length of 1,232.7 kilometers, meeting 70 percent of the city's public transportation needs.

TOD areas are designed not only to facilitate transportation but also to optimize land use, enhance urban value, improve cityscapes, and ensure seamless urban connectivity.

These TOD zones are developed as integrated complexes that include living amenities, landscaping, commercial centers, and entertainment facilities to encourage the use of public transport.

Areas surrounding stations and depots are developed as multifunctional, high-rise zones to increase population density and diversify land use. A notable example is the Pazhounan TOD model, developed from the Chi Sha depot.

Guangzhou Metro emphasized that public transportation is a key driver in the sustainable development of Ho Chi Minh City. Rail and metro systems are crucial tools to develop a low-carbon and smart city and improve quality of life.

While Ho Chi Minh City holds significant potential for TOD and rail development, it also faces challenges similar to those Guangzhou encountered in its early metro development stages.

Therefore, Guangzhou Metro recommended that Ho Chi Minh City improve its legal and financial frameworks to attract private sector and community participation.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment also noted that the Long Binh depot, located in Thu Duc City, part of metro line No. 1, is already in operation. 

The depot covers a total area of 27.7 hectares, with 20.9 hectares used as an operations, maintenance and repair center for trains, and 6.78 hectares reserved for future expansion.

The city is undertaking tasks related to the development of a North-South high-speed railway and TOD models around Thu Thiem Station and Long Truong Depot.

Based on the meeting with Guangzhou Metro and the city's current conditions, the Department of Agriculture and Environment proposed that the municipal People's Committee assign the Department of Construction to coordinate with relevant agencies to study TOD development models at Thu Thiem Station, Long Binh Depot, and Long Truong Depot.

Successful TOD models such as Chi Sha Depot, Lianhua Depot, Financial City Station, Huang Pu Station, and Zha Tou Station in China may serve as references.

The department also recommended that the Department of Construction finalize and propose a resolution on detailed regulations for planning, appraisal, approval, and adjustment of rail project alignments and TOD zone plans.