DANANG, Vietnam, Oct. 21, 2009 -- Vietnam is in the midst of rapid growth and urbanization as it transforms from an agricultural to a market economy. Similar to several other countries in the East Asia region, Vietnam has experienced impressive economic growth rates recently. Danang, one of the four major cities in Vietnam, is experiencing rapid growth and urbanization.
The Danang Priority Infrastructure Investment Project, funded by the World Bank, will improve sanitation and wastewater infrastructure, and reduce pollution in water ways. In addition, the project will improve flood prevention measures for communities in low-lying areas as well as essential roadways.
Danang's People's Committee selected Black & Veatch to manage and supervise construction of the new infrastructure projects. In addition, the company will work with the city to improve the effectiveness of organizations responsible for investment planning, land management and housing across the city.
Nearly 800,000 people who reside in Danang, Vietnam, will enjoy an enhanced quality of life by 2013.
"We have been looking forward to the start of this project," said Nguyen Hieu Hanh, a motorcycle taxi driver who lives in one of the districts that will be improved. "These improvements will help to raise the living standard in the area and reduce flooding."
"Existing urban infrastructure is under stress," said Dan McCarthy, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's global water business. "Infrastructure improvements are essential to sustaining a city's growth as well as improving the quality of life for all who reside and visit."
Technical Notes:
• The proposed infrastructure investments will focus on six urban districts of Danang City.
• Black & Veatch will supervise eight packages of construction works to be implemented under Components A (Urban Area Upgrading: Tertiary Infrastructure Upgrading, Resettlement Sites and Housing Improvement Loan) and B (Environmental Infrastructure Improvement) of the Project.
• Component A of the investment package focuses on making basic services, such as sewer and sanitation, street lighting and road surfacing, available in low-income areas.
• Component B invests in infrastructure that will reduce pollution in local waterway by improving drainage and wastewater collection systems, among other infrastructure improvements.
• The project is expected to be completed in 2015.
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With $3.2 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents.
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