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1. Background and Objectives

Thanh Hoa City is the political capital and economic hub of Thanh Hoa Province. The city is proposed to be part of a new Development Triangle between Thanh Hoa City/Nghi Son - Sam Neua (Lao PDR) - Hanoi. The fast growing Thanh Hoa City has a population of 250,000 (2006) that is expected to double by 2015. The city is situated 150 km south-east of Hanoi along National Highway 1 and the national railway line which links Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Thanh Hoa is one of the largest provinces in population and geographical area in all of Viet Nam. Thanh Hoa Province is striving to hasten the pace of its economic growth and development within the larger national and international context in the Southeast Asia and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. Given its large size, the fast economic growth of Thanh Hoa City and the limited relevant information available on multifaceted development issues, the Thanh Hoa City and Provincial Governments need assistance in the preparation of a grant proposal to Cities Alliance.

The objective of the proposed activity is to prepare a grant proposal for submission to Cities Alliance for developing the City Development Strategy for Thanh Hoa City in a regional development context. The proposal to be prepared, will directly respond to the Thanh Hoa City and Provincial Government's request for technical assistance on the issues of city-led urban and regional development of Thanh Hoa City and Province.

Donor: Cities Alliance
Partners: Thanh Hoa City and Province; Ministry of Construction

2. Activities

Main activities include:

* Conduct consultations with the key government agencies and stakeholders on the vital issues to be addressed with regards to the urban and regional development of Thanh Hoa City and Province;

* Provide a brief overview of the urban and regional development issues and their magnitude in the country and trends, and the lessons learned from the development initiatives and efforts made hitherto; and

* Hold consultations with international development agencies and donors.