The urban morphology of the new urban district is deeply tied to the unique location of the site The design of the project capitalizes on the environmental, social, and landscape qualities of the site to create a unique and memorable working and living environment in Vietnam, with a sense of place, authenticity, and culture that could only be found in this part of Southeast Asia.

An Ecological Strategy

The existing waterways and canals, low lying lands, distinctive upland areas, and opportunistic native vegetation on Thu Thiem form a unique ecological identity specific to South Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City area in particular. The new urban district at Thu Thiem integrates this natural landscape system into an “urban delta” configuration, incorporating the “wet” conditions of the delta as part of the urban development, rather than obliterating such a natural condition. Certain land areas will be slightly raised above flood plain level (+2.5 meters) for development, while those areas below flood level will be kept "green" as storm-water management assets. In particular, the southern (and lowest) part of the site will remain mostly undeveloped with slightly raised roadways and elevated pedestrian boardwalks. A restored mangrove forest environment will purify the air and water, control erosion, and protect the canal banks.

Within the urban district, new urban canals, lakes, and reshaped natural canals will become ecological corridors, able to absorb typical and extreme tidal changes, seasonal flooding, and 50 and 100-year flood events. Thu Thiem is designed as an "open system" with no locks or dams to control the flow of water through the peninsula. As water from the Saigon River infiltrates the peninsula, moving north to south through Thu Thiem's canals and lakes, the water will be filtered and cleansed by natural means before rejoining the River along the peninsula's southern edge. The city is also proposing a new wastewater treatment facility at Thu Thiem to mitigate direct storm and wastewater runoff into the canals and river.

Public Spaces and Pedestrian Orientation

A diverse network of public spaces extends throughout the new Thu Thiem district and includes neighborhood parks, riverfront parks, urban and natural canals, and an extensive boardwalk system through the existing delta landscape. Due to the humid South Vietnamese climate and importance of being outdoors during the hot summer season, the concept of "outdoor living rooms" is expressed throughout Thu Thiem.

Stretching a distance of some 800 linear meters long, from the Saigon River to a new internal Central Lake, is the Central Plaza. The Plaza is designed as a primary destination and gathering point within Ho Chi Minh City, accommodating tens of thousands of people during the many holiday celebrations and festivals that occur each year. The Plaza is the termination of a new iconic pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River that directly connects Thu Thiem to the historic city.

At 75 hectares, the Central Lake is designed as a central landscape element within Thu Thiem that adds value to the interior lands. Able to accommodate fluctuations in water levels of the Saigon River, the Central Lake also provides a major public park and internal "edge" at Thu Thiem, upon which urban development can occur. Parcels fronting onto the Central Lake will be valuable areas for a variety of land uses and experiences. A key public park with an amphitheater is located behind the Museum of South Vietnam on the new Central Lake.

The Crescent Park is a spectacular new public park for all of Ho Chi Minh City along the east bank of the Saigon River. For the urban district of Thu Thiem, the Crescent Park offers a "front door" onto the river, linking a Convention Center in the north to the Stadium and Arena district to the south. In the center of this great arc, the Crescent Park intersects the Central Plaza at the pedestrian bridge. Both the Convention Center and Stadium District are 10-minute walks to the Central Plaza.

Neighborhood and riverfront parks are distributed throughout the north, south, and east residential districts at Thu Thiem. Located close to residents in the center of each neighborhood, the parks will provide passive areas for strolling and relaxing, and active areas for exercise and recreation. Water-based public spaces include three Urban Canals in the north district of the Plan. Tying in to the Central Lake, these canals also control and disperse flows of water from the Saigon River, while offering attractive tree-lined and lighted promenades along their edges.

Transportation Linkages

A multi-lane East/West Boulevard with median planting and on-street parking areas will promote Thu Thiem as a place for people and pedestrians, and not for through car and truck traffic, which will be re-rerouted around Thu Thiem on the regional highway system. The concept of the East/West Boulevard modified a previous proposal by the city for an East/West Highway connection across the peninsula, tying into the new tunnel underneath the Saigon River.

The East/West Boulevard accommodates a mixed-use environment of cultural, civic, institutional, and residential buildings with generous sidewalks. A 300-meter high Television Tower, proposed as an iconic element in the Thu Thiem skyline, terminates the west axis along the East/West Boulevard.

Local and regional connections to nearby districts and developments will tie both banks of the river into a coherent area. A network of primary, secondary, and tertiary streets at Thu Thiem tie into the regional transportation system of Ho Chi Minh City and allow for the movement of the ubiquitous motorbikes and bicycles for local transport. A comprehensive public transit system of subway, buses, and water transportation will further link Thu Thiem to the historic core and all surrounding districts as well as to major nearby employment centers. Each sub-district within the Thu Thiem area is within a five minute walk of transit.

The proposed underground subway system will have stations at the Central Plaza, Museum of South Vietnam, and a University Institute along the East/West Boulevard. An expanded ferry service on the Saigon River and new water taxi service within the canal system will serve other key landmarks and neighborhoods.

Connection to Water and Existing City

Thu Thiem enjoys nearly 10 km of frontage along the Saigon River. For years, the river has been the "back door" and edge of the city, lined with industrial port facilities and used primarily to support commerce and transport. As the new district is developed, the perception of the river will change. The river will be transformed into an important visual and environmental asset that will enhance the overall quality of life and urban environment. Ho Chi Minh City will be perceived as a riverfront city, an enduring image of a world-class metropolis.

The overall form of the Thu Thiem urban design is influenced by the great bend of the Saigon River in this location. The crescent of the waterfront parks and interior "Crescent Boulevard" that defines the core area take the form of the river. The core area, with the highest density, is located directly opposite the historic center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Strong visual and physical linkages connect the historic city with Thu Thiem's residential areas and other key destination nodes such as the Convention Center, Stadium and Arena, and Central Lake. The pedestrian bridge connects Me Linh Square on the historic west side with the Central Plaza. This linear composition in turn establishes a strong link between the existing city, the new urban district, the Central Lake, and a proposed "Museum of South Vietnam", into one overall civic composition.

Dense and Compact Urban Form

Compact development was a major objective during the planning of the peninsula, in order to limit the need for extensive earthworks and infrastructure extensions. The densest areas are therefore concentrated on the highest ground of the site, while the lower lands are more selectively developed. Medium to high density development in the core area is placed along the Crescent Boulevard providing a "high point" and setting for the tallest buildings at Thu Thiem, approximately 40 to 60 stories tall. Lower floors will be reserved for commercial uses such as shopping and restaurants. The increased density and compact form in this area - with strong linkages to public open space - will further encourage a pedestrian-oriented environment.

The northeast residential neighborhoods and mixed use development around the East/West Boulevard will offer medium to low density opportunities as a counterpoint to the higher density core area. Building heights will step down as one moves away from the core area and eastward to the interior of Thu Thiem.

Conversely, the southern site of Thu Thiem is both the lowest land area on the peninsula and therefore the least developed. Accessed by a curvilinear roadway that is raised above the natural canals and vegetation to allow the free flow of water north to south, selective development zones are established to allow for sensitive construction of a botanical research center and ecological resort. A public boardwalk system connects the various developments and includes overlooks along the Saigon River at intervals along the shoreline.