Hanoi weighs sidewalk leasing to boost nighttime economy

The municipal Department of Construction has drafted a resolution to pilot commercial activities and nighttime-driven services on sidewalks and streets.

Under the draft resolution, ward-level People’s Committees in designated pilot areas would be authorized to issue permits allowing organizations, individuals, and business households to temporarily use parts of sidewalks and roadways for commercial purposes and nighttime economic activities.

Local authorities would also be responsible for inspection, supervision, and evaluation of the pilot program.

Businesses and households granted approval would be required to operate strictly within the terms of their permits.

Strict criteria for eligible streets

The department has outlined seven criteria for streets eligible to participate in the pilot scheme.

First, the streets must not be located within protected historical or cultural heritage zones.

Second, they must also be free from chronic traffic congestion or accident black spots.

Third, sidewalks must be at least three meters wide on one side of the street.

Apart from a minimum pedestrian pathway of 1.5 meters and spaces for technical infrastructure and traffic functions, there must still be sufficient remaining space for temporary business use.

Fourth, the sidewalk infrastructure must be stable and completed according to approved urban planning standards.

Fifth, eligible streets must also demonstrate potential for tourism development and growth in urban and nighttime economic activities.

Besides, at least 50 percent of residents, households, and businesses with property rights along the street must support the pilot program.

Moreover, final approval for each pilot location would rest with the Hanoi People’s Committee.

Conditions for businesses

The draft also establishes some conditions for organizations, individuals, and business households seeking permission to rent sidewalk or roadway space.

Applicants must either own or legally use buildings and properties located on streets approved for the pilot program, or they must have valid rental agreements from lawful property owners.

In addition, businesses must possess official business registration and demonstrate a legitimate need to use the public space for commercial or nighttime economic purposes.

Applicants would also be required to install surveillance camera systems capable of monitoring the entire area proposed for temporary use.

Final approval would be subject to authorization from ward-level authorities.

5-year pilot program

If adopted, the resolution would remain in effect for five years from the date of implementation.

Each eligible street could be included in the pilot program for up to two years, with a maximum of two extensions of no more than two years each.

Individual businesses would be allowed to use the designated sidewalk or roadway space for up to one year at a time, with multiple renewals permitted, provided each extension does not exceed one year.

3-phase roll-out 

Hanoi plans to implement the pilot scheme in three stages.

The first phase would cover selected streets in Hoan Kiem and Cua Nam Wards.

The second phase would expand to streets within the Ring Road No. 1 area, followed by a third phase extending to selected streets within the Ring Road No. 3 zone.