Experts met in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday to talk about smarter city living. They said cheap homes are very important for people with small incomes. A Singaporean architect explained his country's public housing plan. The government built more than 1.13 million public homes there. About 80 percent of people live in them.
The experts also talked about building homes and shops close to train stations. A Japanese company showed how this plan worked near one station. Property values rose, and local officials collected more tax money. Ho Chi Minh City wants nearly 200,000 social homes by 2030. It also hopes people can reach public transport in 15 minutes.