Foster + Partners has been appointed as the Architectural Advisors for a new mixed-use master plan in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The firm was selected by Masterise Homes, the developer behind what will be The Global City. 

As stated in Foster + Partners’ announcement: “The Global City will be a diverse and sophisticated neighborhood, integrating a full range of facilities for a future downtown city alongside residential units.” The development will span 1,174 hectares (2,900 acres) and include a mix of high- and low-rise apartments, villas, social housing, medical and administrative facilities, a 125,000-square-meter (1.35-million-square-foot) shopping mall, and other amenities. It also boasts easy access to highways, major roads, and metro lines, according to the scheme's description.

A central green spine and two adjacent waterways will run from the northern to the southern ends of the site. The master plan is divided into five neighborhoods, each with their own distinctive character. 

The majority of the high-rise residential buildings are located on the central boulevard, which also serves as a large public park. Pedestrian bridges connect the boulevard with surrounding neighborhoods, which improves walkability. The development’s residential buildings are influenced by the vernacular of Ho Chi Minh City through their scale and use of materials, such as brick and timber. 

According to Foster + Partners, the master plan was designed to enhance human connections and provide a positive relationship with nature, achieved through its offering of many green, breathable spaces, including parks, courtyards, and gardens. 

“The Global City Master Plan is a fantastic new residential-led development, in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City,” said Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners. “The design seeks to strike a balance between biodiversity and human wellbeing within an urban context, seamlessly integrating the buildings with a range of flexible, landscaped public spaces, and community facilities to create a holistic, sustainable master plan for the future.”