Solution for development of five satellite cities in hanoi

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SOLUTION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FIVE SATELLITE 
CITIES IN HANOI 
Dr. Nguyen Kim Hoang 
 nkhoang@fpt.vn 
Dr. Nguyen Huu Doan 
doannh@neu.edu.vn 
Faculty of Urban & Environmental Economics and Management, 
National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam 
Abstract 
The population residing in urban areas has been rapidly increasing, especially in 
the developing world, giving rise to the need for cities and urban establishments to adapt 
and grow with the change. Satellite cities were developed to shift the population from 
congested urban areas to new developments established nearby. The paper assesses five 
satellite cities in Hanoi to explore the potential of this form of development as a 
sustainable tool for planners in the 21st century. 
Keywords: Hanoi, satellite cities, sustainability, urbanization. 
1. Introduction 
According to estimates by the United Nations, 66% of the world‘s population will 
be living in urban areas by 2050, upward from 54% today (United Nations, 2014). The 
rural to urban migration is not only adding a large number of new residents to cities but 
also putting pressure on the resources and infrastructure of these metropolitan areas. 
Additionally, the influx of people into Hanoi has environmental consequences that 
can adversely impact economic activity and public health (Luan Duy, L. 2014). Increase in 
population density, socio-economic disparities and infrastructure problems arise that stress 
the need for sustainable city planning to result in the efficient running of Hanoi (Divya, L., 
and Helga-Jane, S. 2018). Hence, developing sustainable greenfield sites is one way of 
absorbing some of the pressure. Satellite cities are one form of greenfield developments. 
2. Method 
The paper will seek to explore the five cases of Soc Son, Son Tay, Xuan Mai, Phu 
Xuyen and Hoa Lac. If designed and built efficiently by conforming to sustainable land use 
and environmental principles, the development of satellite cities can potentially alleviate 
the issue of overcrowding in Hanoi without resulting in urban sprawl, as well as help 
reconnect nature with urban life. However, the research was limited by the availability of 
information. Data on certain indicators was not available for the towns, which is why they 
had to be excluded from the analysis. Furthermore, the most current information on the 
satellite cities in Hanoi was also not available for certain indicators. 
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3. Results 
3.1. Literature review 
The Oxford dictionary of Architecture define satellite towns as: 
―Towns that are self-contained and limited in size, built in the vicinity of a large 
town or city to house and employ those who would otherwise create a demand for 
expansion of the existing settlement, but dependent on the parent-city for population and 
major services.‖ 
The definition continues to state that satellite towns were influenced by Garden 
Cities and makes the distinctions between consumer-satellites that are essentially 
dormitory suburbs, and production-satellites that include the capacity for commercial, 
industrial and production facilities. 
As Hall (2014) explains, Garden Cities were designed to move people away from the 
slums and the smoke of industrial towns and into new, self-contained towns that were built in 
open countryside. The idea as explained in Howard‘s famous ‗Three Magnets‘ diagram shown 
in Figure 1, was to combine the best of town and country in a new settlement. This meant 
merging the economic and social opportunities of the town with the fresh air and nature of the 
countryside. The towns were to be locally managed and self-governed with services provided 
by the municipality or by the private sector, whichever was more efficient. 
Figure 1: Ebenezer Howard's 'The Three Magnets' (Howard, 1902) 
In the context of town planning, the question arises about indicators of 
sustainability. Astleithner et al (2004) write about sustainability indicators stating that they 
should be measurable over space and time. In a report published by Sustainable Cities 
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International in 2012, the authors note that while there is no ‗one size fits all‘ method for 
developing a sustainability plan for municipalities, there are common aspects that can be 
considered while designing a plan. A 2015 report titled ‗Indicators for sustainable cities‘ 
published by the European Commission discusses the available range of sustainability 
indicators and frameworks and how to choose between them. 
The report states that while selecting an appropriate framework, the purpose for its 
use needs to first be defined. The framework can be used as an explanatory tool, pilot tool 
or performance assessment tool. The report also states that it is important to identify 
categories that are most relevant to measuring progress towards sustainable development. 
The categories, as delineated above, include social, economic and environmental 
sustainability. Social sustainability relates to subjects like community development, health 
equity, social justice and livability. Economic sustainability covers indicators that measure 
a nation‘s ability to support a certain level of economic production. Environmental 
sustainability covers topics that relate to a city‘s harmony with nature. 
Furthermore, the framework should be applicable across different urban areas to 
allow for comparisons. Thus, the availability of data and its standardization should be 
taken into account when considering elements of the framework. Finally, the report notes 
that indicator sets should be locally relevant and be able to reflect the geographical and 
social context of the urban area in question. 
Many states and municipalities have used sustainability frameworks to guide and 
monitor the sustainability objectives applied to their towns. While sustainability has 
become a bigger agenda in town planning and management post the 1980s, some o ... ns, 
including the enlarged areas to Belt Road No 4 in the west and south, to Me Linh and 
Dong Anh districts in the north, and to Gia Lam and Long Bien districts in the east. 
The central urban area and five satellite cities will be separated by green corridors, which 
will account for 70 percent of the city‘s natural areas. The five satellite cities - Hoa Lac, Son Tay, 
Xuan Mai, Phu Xuyen and Soc Son – will each have specific functions, with the purpose of 
sharing the demand with the urban centre in terms of housing, training, industry and services. 
Figure 2: Five satellite cities in Hanoi 
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Accordingly, Hoa Lac satellite city will have the main function of serving science-
technology, and training. Son Tay satellite city has been selected as the urban area of 
historic culture, resort tourism focusing on the Son Tay Citadel preservation zone, Duong 
Lam ancient village and developing the center for tourism associated with Xuan Khanh 
lake, training services, health and the new urban. Xuan Mai satellite city will be the urban 
area of services - industries supporting the development of small industries and craft 
village systems. Phu Xuyen satellite city is dedicated to industry, transportation hubs, and 
transshipment of goods. Soc Son satellite city will focus on the development of industry 
and air services, eco-resort tourism, forming the Mai Dinh industrial zone and clean 
industrial zones, medical centers, universities zone. 
Table 1: Population of satellite cities in Hanoi 
Satellite cities Planning area (ha) Population in 2030 ( thousands) 
Hoa Lac 18000 600 
Son Tay 4000 186 
Xuan Mai 4500 220 
Phu Xuyen 2500 127 
Soc Son 5500 250 
Characteristics of satellite cities in Hanoi 
The administrative boundary of some satellite cities is in two and three districts, 
such as Hoa Lac, Phu Xuyen and Son Tay satellite city. There are two satellite cities 
covering only one part of the district - Xuan Mai and Soc Son satellite city. The 
administrative boundaries and decentralization have caused difficulties for the coordination 
and operation among the levels of city government and central agencies in the plan 
implementation and administrative management in satellite cities. 
The satellite cities of Hanoi are planned on the basis of towns and communes with 
different nature, size and development levels. Currently, Son Tay satellite city is class 3 
city with a history of hundred years of development (World Bank, 2011). The other 
satellite cities are parts or subdivisions of some suburban districts, including most of the 
country side communes. This difference in levels of urban development requires 
appropriate policies for each satellite city in development investment and management. 
Authorities of satellite cities are different. Hoa Lac satellite city located on the 
boundary of Quoc Oai, Thach That districts and Son Tay Town, but competent to approve the 
planning and management of development investment under the Central Government. The 
other satellite cities have boundaries in districts and towns under the management of districts 
and towns, such as Xuan Mai satellite city in Chuong My district, Soc Son satellite city in Soc 
Son district, Son Tay satellite city in Son Tay town, Phu Xuyen satellite city includes Phu 
Xuyen district and a part of Thuong Tin district, thus be managed by both districts. 
Hanoi's satellite cities are subjected to intense competition from cities, provinces 
and cities in the Capital and the Northern Key Economic Zone. Hence, the satellite cities of 
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Hanoi can be considered as a system of urban center in the region such as Nam Dinh, Bac 
Ninh, Thai Nguyen and Vinh Phuc province. 
Issues in satellite city management 
Owners who manage the satellite cities are not clearly defined. In the legal 
documents of Hanoi as well as the Government use the word "satellite city" without 
defining it is city or town. In Vietnam, the organization system of administrative units does 
not have a satellite city model, so finding a suitable management model for satellite cities 
in Hanoi needs to be studied when most of them are located on the administrative border of 
the town and suburban districts. This is a problem that managers do not pay attention to 
which causing other problems. 
The interlacing of administrative boundaries and decentralization make it difficult 
for administrative management in satellite cities. Satellite cities and central city are 
dependent on the nature and function, but satellite cities still need to be an independent 
administrative unit with administrative authority to manage. Urban management following 
to "Town" model as in the case of the Son Tay satellite city also needs to have decisions to 
merge Cam Thuong commune of Ba Vi district into Son Tay town and transfer the 
communes of Son Tay to Hoa Lac. 
Overlap planning. The master plan for satellite cities has been approved by the 
People's Committee of Hanoi in 2014-2015 but during that time the People's Committee 
approved the master plan for the districts construction. District Committee must implement 
both types of planning which highly overlapping, and otherwise when implementing the 
plan, the district will not care about the territory has been planned into satellite cities, 
because satellite cities are directly under the city. Expectation in investment capital from 
the city is very probable. 
Lack of co-operation mechanism. At present, satellite cities in Hanoi and central 
city do not have any cooperation mechanism. The question is that Hanoi needs to develop 
a suitable cooperation form between each satellite city and the central city in the direction 
of building a satellite city to reduce the pressure on the central city in terms of population, 
employment, transportation and environment. However, before making a cooperation 
mechanism, it is necessary to identify the management owners. 
3.3. Solutions for satellite city development in Hanoi 
The development of satellite cities is a trend that many major cities in the world as 
well as in Vietnam. The construction and development of satellite cities in Hanoi are seen 
as a matter of urgency. They require a comprehensive plan and appropriate and attractive 
mechanism and policies. To achieve this goal, there should be a legal framework for 
effective management and cooperation between satellite cities and central city to ensure no 
contradict about rights and responsibilities. 
Building a satellite city management model 
Building the management model appropriate to the nature and level of development 
of each satellite city and meeting the immediate and long-term requirements is very 
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necessary. The identification of urban authorities will determine the management and solve 
administrative management issues in satellite cities. Law on Organization of Local 
Government (No. 77/2015/QH13 passed by the National Assembly on June 19, 2015) has 
defined city government under the Cities under the Central Government (like the cities under 
the province). This would allow urban administration in large cities such as Hanoi to organize 
and manage satellite cities following the model of the city directly under the province. 
Strengthening the planning management of satellite city 
To review the general planning of satellite cities and general planning of districts 
and towns. Assessing the use of land in industrial parks and new urban areas in satellite 
city. Satellite city planning should clarify and specify the function and criteria of satellite 
cities. Build specific characteristics for satellite cities to increase the value of land and real 
estate in the future. Specially, consider adding indicators for green urban planning, 
ecological and smart city to contribute to specific values for satellite cities, improve 
utilities and quality of life for people. 
Develop regulations on planning and management for each satellite city, including 
the regulations on development, urban development indicators, planning indicators, land 
use regulations, etc. 
Developing cooperation mechanism between central city and satellite cities 
Developing a cooperative mechanism is very important for connecting the satellite 
city economy to the central urban economy in order to improve the competitiveness in 
order to increase the "attractiveness" of satellite city. Firstly, Hanoi authority develops an 
investment mechanism to attract foreign investment and private investment in the 
construction of projects in satellite cities. Furthermore, develop mechanisms for coordination 
between administrative units (districts) related ministries and agencies (Ministry of 
Construction, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Training) in 
the process of planning and investment in construction, management and operation of 
satellite cities. 
Strengthening the investment of infrastructure construction 
In order to increase the "attractiveness" of satellite cities, the infrastructure should be 
nicely built, synchronous and modern in the direction of Smart city meeting the traffic demand 
from the central urban area to the satellite cities. In addition to the planned transportation 
system, organizing additional bus routes, especially BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) should be 
considered, which is connected the central urban bus stations to the satellite cities and satellite 
cities to each other. Upgrading bus services to encourage people to use buses between 
downtown and satellite cities. Construction of a parking system for the use of public transport. 
Building a transport network linking the modes of transport in satellite cities. 
In order to connect the central urban area to the satellite cities, it is necessary to carry 
out the general planning of Hanoi capital to renovate the National highways and other 
highways; Building some of new roads (Tay Thang Long road connected with Son Tay 
satellite city, Ho Tay - Ba Vi road connected to Hoa Lac satellite city and Ba Vi area, Ha 
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Dong - Xuan Mai road connected to Xuan Mai satellite city. Ngoc Hoi-Phu Xuyen road link 
with Phu Xuyen satellite city); Construction of urban rail lines extends to satellite cities. 
However, the completion of the above transportation system requires a lot of resources. 
Improve satellite city development policy 
To attract FDI in order to implement developing satellite cities, Hanoi‘s authorities 
must accelerate administrative reform; improve the processes of planning, investment, 
building and taxation to support businesses. Numerous trade promotion activities will also 
be held to attract more domestic and foreign investment. The city has been tackling 
obstacles overseas investors face in a bid to draw more foreign direct investment and boost 
socio-economic development. Branches and ministerial departments are required to listen 
to the complaints of foreign-invested enterprises and offer solutions in a timely manner. In 
turn, foreign investors are asked to implement their licensed projects on schedule. 
4. Discussion and Conclusion 
Discussion: Hanoi's satellite city centered theory is not only five urban areas as 
Hanoi has planned, but many urban systems in the region such as Nam Dinh, Bac Ninh, 
Thai Nguyen and Vinh Phuc. The distance between the central city and the satellite city 
can be 80-120 km by car. The urban areas in Nam Dinh, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen and Vinh 
Phuc are capable reduce the pressure on Hanoi? 
Conclusion: In order to develop the five planned satellite cities, Hanoi should 
implement synchronous solutions. For each satellite city, it is possible to emphasize certain 
solutions. All solutions are aimed at developing satellite cities, creating the "attractiveness" 
of satellite cities. Hanoi's satellite cities are subject to fierce competition from cities in the 
Capital Region and the Northern Key Economic Region. However, it should be noted that 
this also contributed to reducing the pressure on the capital in the process of urbanization. 
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