Ecopark, a master-planned community in Hanoi, Vietnam, developed and designed by Viet Hung Urban Development & Investment J.S.C., is helping address some of the issues of living in Vietnamese cities. Given the quality-of-life challenges that are emerging as the country’s infrastructure development races to keep up with its rapid economic growth, Ecopark’s sustainable planning is providing residents with much-needed access to abundant green open spaces, pedestrian links, and a higher degree of safety and security while adding more than 30,000 jobs to the economy. The project also has a focus on enhancing access to fresh and safe local food, a growing concern of Hanoians.

Ecopark has designed numerous features to connect residents to local food sources. To ensure that residents have consistent access to healthy food, retail space is planned and leased with special promotional conditions for certified tenants offering organic and locally sourced food options that are grown without the use of pesticides. The community holds weekly farmers markets that provide residents with another source of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as artisanal food products, and help support small local businesses.

Residents and students of the local school system have the opportunity to grow their own herbs and vegetables in open land plots that are provided by the development. Restaurants in the development’s town center are able to take advantage of the availability of safe, locally grown produce.