Thanh
Da peninsula was a low density of population area. According to Wikipedia (2014)and Vice chairman of Binh Thanh
People’s Committee in 2013, there were approximately 7.300 households including
4.300 families in condos of ward 27 and 3.000 families living in more 2.000
houses in ward 28 of Thanh Da peninsula.
In
1992, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee approved the strategy planning of
Thanh Da peninsula. Since then, the permission for new construction or for house
ownership certificate was not allowed. Consequently, people could not have a
better space as well as sell their house at reasonable price. They have been
living in spontaneous houses or low-roofed houses. Furthermore, the investor
could not take risks in the prospect of frozen economy. Improving this area
needs a large amount of money for levelling or infrastructure. This area was
oriented to develop tourism – one of economic aspect that cannot refund in
short time-period, thus it has not attracted investors.
Thanh
Da condominiums are one of the first apartments in Saigon - built in the period
from 1968 to 1972 serving for Saigon authorities’ officers. There are totally
22 blocks. Their appearances present
colonial style. Each block has five levels with 3 staircases and no elevator.
Originally, each floor had about 50 dwelling units with its area of 80m2~120m2.
In each flat, there includes 2 or 3 bed rooms, 1 living room, 1 kitchen,
laundry and only 1 WC (bathroom). The areas for each apartment were as the
followings: 6x10m, 6x12m, 6x9m, 4.5x8m, 9x15m, 9x12m and 8.5x10m. However, some
flats now are divided into two parts for rent or for selling to another
household. Thus, the areas of some flats can be 3mx10m or even smaller. The
origin layout of some flats was destroyed.
The French used cajuput pile for the foundations
of these condominiums due to the under weak earth. However, until now, the
foundations have become weak as a result of unstable underground. The movement
of surface soil layer has been caused by the water flows. The Holocene layer
contains a great amount of sand. Water flows of tide move these sands to create
holes which lead the surface become weak. As a consequence of weak foundation,
the building was sunk and the external walls are crack.
