Keeping Urban River and Stream Systems Clean

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - Urban rivers and streams, canals, and ditches serve not only as drainage and climate regulation functions but also play a role in creating green spaces for urban areas. 

After dredging and beautification, the San Mau Stream has become a highlight, adding more green space to the city of Bien Hoa. 

Reviving the inner-city water network
In the city of Bien Hoa, beside major rivers, there are also more than 10 streams, many of which flow through the heart of the city, such as the Linh Stream, Tan Mai Stream, Ba Lua Stream, and Chua Stream…

For a long time, most of these streams have been heavily polluted. The main function of these streams is to drain water for the city of Bien Hoa, but it has been compromised due to rampant encroachment and illegal construction along the streams. This has contributed to the flooding problem during heavy rains in the city of Bien Hoa.

According to Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Acting Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Dong Nai currently has 11 urban areas, with Bien Hoa being a first-class urban area. These urban areas are receiving focused investment and development, with increasing attention and upgrades to urban spaces. However, there are still many issues that have not met the requirements of urban management, such as the current state of technical infrastructure, overloaded social infrastructure, lack of synchronization, and inadequate response to the pace of urbanization, economic and social development in the locality. Non-compliant construction and encroachment on canals, ditches, and rivers are among the factors contributing to these problems.

Meanwhile, according to the consulting unit for the comprehensive adjustment of the general master plan for Bien Hoa city until 2045, the city of Bien Hoa has not fully exploited the advantages of land and natural resources, distinctive cultural heritage, especially the two banks of the Dong Nai and Cai rivers and the river system in the southern part of the city.

Based on this reality, Directive No. 23/CT-UBND (December 29, 2023) of the Provincial People's Committee on the key tasks for urban improvement in Bien Hoa, Long Khanh, and towns in the province until 2025 sets the goal of reviving the inner-city water network as the vital green lifeline of the urban area.

Creating Green Spaces
The San Mau Stream is one of the major streams flowing through the heart of Bien Hoa. Previously, before being dredged and having embankments built, this stream was considered a "dead stream." The black, foul-smelling water and piles of trash after each rainfall used to haunt the residents living along both sides of the San Mau Stream.

Over 7 years ago, when the dredging and improvement project for the San Mau Stream was initially completed, this stream was rejuvenated. From a "dead stream," it has gradually recovered, not only fulfilling its role in water drainage but also contributing to the creation of more green space for the city of Bien Hoa.

Following the San Mau Stream, a series of other streams in the city, such as the Ba Bot Stream, Tan Mai Stream, and Linh Stream, have also undergone dredging and flood control projects.
In addition, projects to build embankments and roads along the Dong Nai and Cai rivers are currently underway. These projects aim to protect the river systems and create a landscape and green spaces for the city. ​

Director of the Department of Construction, Ho Van Ha, said that Ho Chi Minh City has successfully carried out relocation projects for people living along streams and canals to improve the urban area. Therefore, in the future, Bien Hoa city needs to continue implementing dredging and improvement projects to restore the river and stream systems to their role as the "green lifeline" of the urban area.

Deputy Chairman of the Provincial Association of Architects, Khuong Nguyen Duc Chuong, believes that streams are also objects that need to be "beautified" for urban spaces. By beautifying these streams, the landscape and appearance of the urban area will be enhanced. As an example, Mr.  Khuong Nguyen Duc Chuong mentioned the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City, which, although not yet perfect, has become a green strip and the highlight for the city after the relocation of residents and revitalization.

Therefore, according to Mr. Chuong, in addition to dredging projects to restore the water drainage and climate regulation functions, it is also necessary to develop the landscape and create more green areas for the urban area. "Creating a landscape for the urban inner-stream areas requires significant resources in terms of land clearance. This is a major bottleneck that requires a solution during the implementation process."