CURRENT STATUSAND ORIENTATION OF RESIDENTIAL AREASIN QUANG XUONG DISTRICT, THANH HOA PROVINCE, VIETNAM

The study aimed at analyzing the current status of residential areas of Quang Xuong District in response to “Tam nong” policy. The data were gathered from 392 residential areas of the district. The results show that Quang Xuong district has a population of 265,249 people, 65,172 households, and a total area of 22,780.12 hectares, of which the land for residential areas is 6,003.31 hectares, including 3,350.35 hectares for housing. The district consists of 41 communes with 392 residential areas. On average, each commune had 10 residential areas and each residential area includes 676 people and 166 households. Based on some criteria of Vietnamese standards No. 4418 in 1987, Resolution No.26/NQ-TW and A Set of National Criteria for Renewing Rural Areas in Decision No. 491/QD-TTg, 392, residential areas of Quang Xuong were classified into 3 levels: level 1 with 71; level 2 with 134; and level 3 with 187 residential areas. There are some drawbacks in terms of landscape architecture and great differences between urban and rural residential areas. By 2020, Quang Xuong District will develop into 4 regions with 5 towns and 1 center of commune group according to regional advantages. The district will have 363 residential areas: level 1 with 140; level 2 with 158; and level 3 with 65 residential areas. To develop united residential areas and enhance living quality of local people, local authorities should improve all types of planning and make appropriate policy to mobilize capital from government, NGOs, and people.