Transit-Oriented Development in Ho Chi Minh City: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Growth

This chapter delves into the challenges and opportunities of implementing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Ho Chi Minh City, a rapidly urbanizing metropolis. The study highlights the city's traffic congestion and pollution issues, exacerbated by the overwhelming preference for personal vehicles. TOD, which integrates residential, commercial, and recreational areas around public transportation, is explored as a potential solution. The research identifies key challenges such as regulatory barriers, technical issues, initial investment, and land acquisition, while also highlighting opportunities for economic growth, improved air quality, and enhanced community life. Expert interviews provide valuable insights into the local context, and the study concludes with practical strategies for overcoming the identified challenges. The chapter also discusses the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway project (Metro HCMC) as a significant step towards sustainable urban development. By examining the current status of TOD in HCMC, this study offers a comprehensive overview of the potential benefits and obstacles in implementing this urban planning strategy in a rapidly growing city.