The conference, which started on October 24, is co-hosted by the Vietnam Ministry of Construction (MoC) and the German Federation Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) and is focusing on matters related to Asian regional policies on urban development and planning.
According to MoC Director General of Administration of Technical Infrastructure Nguyen Hong Tien, because of its geological and topographical location and long coastline, Vietnam is heavily affected by climate change.
The combination of rising sea levels and inland flooding makes floods in urban areas, soil erosion and growing salinity in coastal regions more serious, he said, adding that climate change also damages socio-economic activities.
Tien affirmed that urban management is one of the Vietnam Government’s chief tasks, since it is unfolding vigorously and is directly linked to the country’s move to a more modern industrialised society.
Kapil Chaudhery, Director of Spatial Decisions, an urban and regional planner in Vietnam, suggested the country enhance urban growth and expand projects to improve infrastructure, to satisfy the increasing demand of urban areas in the cities of Vietnam.
He also recommended shifting the model for urban development from resources consumption to low energy with reduced levels of carbon emissions.
Deputy Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Vietnam Andrew Head underscored the reciprocal relationship between a healthy natural system and a socio-economic system.
Investment should always support social development and a sustainable ecosystem, as well as reduce the vulnerabilities caused by climate change and greenhouse emissions, he added.
