Relocation of Danang administrative center is problem for far future
The administration of the central city of Danang is considering relocating its administrative center from a US$89 million building, but that seems like a problem for a distant future, an official has said, amid public criticism that the relocation is a wasteful move.
The building, inaugurated in 2014, stands at 166.8 meter, with 36 floors and 2 basements, and spans 23,300 square meter.
It is currently Danang’s administrative center, housing 1,200 officials and public servants.
Recently, the city’s leaders have considered relocating the administrative center to another building, citing poor air quality and high temperature, which have affected the health of those working inside the building.
But it does not sound reasonable.
“No one in my department has complained about feeling sick or tired. I’m an elderly man, but I don’t feel that my health has been negatively affected,” Thai Ba Canh, director of Danang Department of Science and Technology, claimed.
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“We need to put efficiency first because this is public money. The building is currently efficient and convenient for the people,” Canh added.
Regarding the quality of air in the building, Tran Dinh Quynh, head of the Office of the People’s Committee of Danang, confirmed that there is a lack of fresh air, but added it only happens in conference rooms with capacity from 40 to 100 people.
According to Quynh, in the first fresh air test performed on November 2014, 13 out of 14 air samples did not meet design standards.
Immediately after the test, Danang had asked the contractor to fix the problem, and in the second air test performed on May 2015, the air samples fulfilled design standards, except a few meeting areas where a high concentration of people sometimes leads to lack of oxygen.
In order to solve the problem, Huynh Duc Tho, chairman of the People’s Committee of Danang, has sent an official dispatch requesting the deployment of fresh air solutions, such as installing ventilators and modifying the glass system.
Regarding the high temperature of the building, Quynh explained that the condensing unit of the air conditioner is placed in one floor of the building, causing the temperature of a few rooms in the building to rise.
In order to solve the issue, a ventilator system is going to be installed on floor 32 in order to cool the condensing unit.
However, others are still not convinced by Quynh’s solution.
“In my opinion, the design of the building is aesthetically pleasing, but the large area of glasses is not suitable for tropical climates, especially a place with an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine like Danang,” To Hung, chairman of the Urban Committee of the People’s Council of Danang, said.
“The building is too condensed. The elevator and the venting system is not the best. Therefore, I have heard a lot of complaints from people working here about headaches and other health issues,” Hoang Quang Huy, the Danang Urban Planning and Development Association, claimed.
“We need a new place. Human health is above everything. Employees need to work in an environment with good conditions, otherwise their health will be negatively affected,” Huy suggested.
Quynh underlined that the city’s leaders have thought about a relocation of the administrative center, but that is a problem for a distant future, not now.
