The Standing Committee of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee has convened its 33rd meeting in a hybrid format to discuss the Buon Ma Thuot urban master plan to 2050 and consider several matters within its remit.

At the meeting, the Standing Committee discussed the master plan, which aims to transform Buon Ma Thuot into a regional urban centre, a key growth pole for the region and the “Global Coffee Capital”.

Covering a study area of nearly 37,800 hectares, the plan seeks to reorganise urban space according to a multi-polar, multi-centre model, integrated with a landscape framework featuring “five streams and two lakes” along with six specialised functional zones. The urban structure comprises nine centres, two growth axes and two development corridors, with expansion oriented towards the east alongside south-east. The plan also envisages multifunctional centres, lakeside tourism and service hubs, technology centres, education combined with innovation hubs, and smart agriculture. It identifies three development pillars: deep processing linked to high-tech agriculture, an international coffee brand, as well as an innovation centre for the Central Highlands.

Comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, chairing the meeting.

Transport infrastructure will be strengthened through multimodal connectivity, while urban development will be integrated with public transport through the transit-oriented development (TOD) model. The plan also seeks to capitalise on advantages in science, technology and innovation. Priority will be given to conserving streams, lakes and green spaces, controlling flooding, while preserving 33 traditional villages, reinforcing the distinctive character encapsulated in the phrase “villages within the city, the city within villages”. This approach aims to harmonise urban modernisation with the preservation of indigenous cultural identity.

At the meeting, the Standing Committee also heard a report on the review and proposed handling of 1,480 cases involving unlawful changes in land-use purposes during 2018 - 2019 in the former Dong Hoa town coupled with former Song Cau town. Based on the report and the subsequent discussions, the Standing Committee provided specific directions for resolving the violations decisively alongside in accordance with the law, while safeguarding local residents’ legitimate rights and interests.

In his concluding remarks, Provincial Party Secretary, comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet called on the relevant agencies to urgently finalise the Buon Ma Thuot Urban master plan to 2050, ensuring consistency with the provincial plan and a long-term vision. The plan should capitalise on the ecological, landscape combined with indigenous cultural advantages, while ensuring coordinated infrastructure covering transport, energy, drainage and waste treatment. It should also examine the expansion of Buon Ma Thuot Airport to meet Category 4E standards by 2050, alongside the development of the low-altitude economy and air taxis. Moreover, the plan must clearly define the Buon Ma Thuot’s role as a regional growth centre, identify priority projects, as well as concentrate investment resources on key projects through 2035.

Regarding the proposed handling of the 1,480 cases involving unlawful changes in land-use purposes during 2018 - 2019, the Provincial Party Secretary directed the relevant authorities to resolve outstanding obstacles alongside help residents exercise their legitimate land rights. The Standing Committee will provide policy guidance on resolving the cases, while implementation will be the responsibility of local authorities, particularly commune- and ward-level People’s Committees, within their respective jurisdictions.

Translated by KHUONG THAO