9 Stellars in Ho Chi Minh City: The Rise of the Green Heart in Urban Developments

As cities become denser and more complex, green infrastructure is emerging as one of the defining elements of successful urban development. No longer viewed as an added amenity, landscape is increasingly shaping how people move, connect and experience the city.

Chapman Taylor's masterplan for 9 Stellars in Ho Chi Minh City demonstrates this approach through a central park that forms the development's Green Heart. More than a landscaped open space, the park acts as the organising framework for the wider masterplan, connecting neighbourhoods, encouraging active travel and creating a strong sense of place.

The design is centred around a continuous green spine that links key destinations across the development while prioritising walkability and sustainable movement. A series of public spaces supports community activity, cultural events and everyday social interaction, helping to create a vibrant and inclusive urban environment.

Retail, residential and commercial uses are seamlessly integrated with the landscape, ensuring that nature becomes an integral part of daily life rather than a separate destination.

As cities continue to evolve, projects such as 9 Stellars demonstrate how landscape-led masterplanning can deliver lasting environmental, social and economic value. By placing the Green Heart at the centre of the development, the masterplan creates a healthier, more resilient and people-focused neighbourhood where nature brings communities together and enhances the quality of urban life.