Viet Nam: Cities discuss climate change plan

Da Nang — Authorities and experts have called for efforts to make Viet Nam's urban centres and cities more climate change resistant.

At a conference organised by the Ministry of Construction, Viet Nam Urban Forum and Da Nang People's Committee, experts discussed directions for urban centres and cities – particularly technical solutions and better policy development of urban management – so they could adapt to growing climate change challenges.

Speaking at the opening, Trinh Dinh Dung, Construction Minister and chairman of the Viet Nam Urban Forum, said the country had made progress in urban development, resulting in economic growth and higher incomes.

However, rapid urbanisation had caused major challenges in population, energy and food security, since most of Viet Nam's urban centres and cities were located along the coast and on lowlands, facing threats of storm, floods and rising sea levels.

At the same time, cities located in mountainous areas had to cope with flash-floods, landslides, forest fires and drought.

Cities generated 70 per cent of the country's GDP and climate change posed a major threat to the country's continued efforts in sustainable development and poverty reduction, the conference heard.

Van Huu Chien, Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, said as one of Viet Nam's major coastal urban centres the city had been, and would be greatly impacted by climate change.

"If nothing can be done about climate change adaptation in major cities, it's expected that the lives of residents will be disturbed, for sure," Chien said.

Studies on climate change adaptation in the country's urban centres had already pointed out problems, particularly in the lack of planning solutions to climate change.

Viet Nam has a population of around 85.8 million, of which 25.4 million live in cities, the figure is expected to double by 2025. — VNS