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Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Cities in Vietnam
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Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Cities in Vietnam
Country and Sustainable Cities IAP Overview
Vietnam’s rapid urbanization has resulted in more than a third of the country’s total population, i.e. 31.1 million people living in cities and contributed to about 70% of gross domestic product of $191.5 billion ($2,109 per capita).1 The rapid growth is being driven by a structural shift in the economy from agriculture to industry and services. Vietnamese urbanization, however, is uneven. Compared to the five centrally-administered cities, development of secondary cities is significantly lagging behind.2 In secondary cities, less than 60% of households are connected to the water supply systems and many do not have 24-hour supply. Only 10% of their urban wastewater is treated by a centralized system, and domestic wastewater treatment relies heavily on poorly maintained household septic tanks. Lack of proper stormwater management has led to a reduced capacity of drainage systems that causes frequent flooding. The existing urban road network is reaching its capacity to accommodate an increasing number of vehicles. In addition to these urban challenges, climate change can severely hit secondary cities regardless of their location. The projected sea-level rise of 100 centimeters leading to 40,000 square kilometers of increased coastal flooded area would affect an estimated 9–11 million people, while inland cities will suffer from water stress due to reduced annual flow of the Red River (13%–19%) and the Mekong River (16%–24%).3 Slow development of secondary cities prevents them from playing an important role in sustainable and inclusive urbanization: (i) providing job opportunities and livable environment for rural migrants; and (ii) closing income disparities by supporting growth of middle income groups. The main baseline project is the ADB supported Secondary Green Cities Development Project (SGCDP), which will support urban environmental improvement and climate resilience through providing environmentally friendly, inclusive and climate resilience urban infrastructure services in three secondary cities in Vietnam. The SGCDP’s project preparatory technical assistance supported the preparation of GrEEEn City Action Plans (GCAPs) in Hue, Ha Giang and Vinh Yen in 2014 and2015. GEF funding will support national upscaling of sustainable, integrated, climate-resilient secondary cities development, helping the central government prepare a national regulatory framework that will prioritize, provide incentives and develop capacity for green, climate resilient city investments across Vietnam. Sustainable cities indicators will be used to guide an integrated planning framework with linked financial mechanisms. Additionally, the GEF supported technical assistance (TA) will update and refine the GCAPs and improving overall city master plans for Vinh Yen, Hue and Ha Giang. Finally, the project will support and complement the design and development of the SGCDP to scale-up integrated approaches.
Sustainable Cities IAP Project Proponent
Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MONRE), as executing agency for the TA and closely coordinate with three implementing agencies as the project cities and provincial governments of Ha Giang, Vinh Yen and Thua Thien Hue
Implementing Agency
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Sustainable Development Strategies
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Vietnam’s Socio-Economic Development Strategy, 2011–2020 aims to sustain the rate of economic growth while achieving social inclusiveness and environmental protection.
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In 2012, the National Program on Urban Development 2012–2020 was issued to guide efficient, sustainable and equitable urbanization.
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In 2013, the Government approved a scheme on the Urban development of Vietnam responding to climate change in the period of 2013-2020, which was approved to specify response measures to climate change and sea level rise through projects, programs, and plans.
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In 2017, the Target program on Climate change adaptation and green growth 2016-2020 was issued to strengthen the climate change adaptation capacity of people and natural systems, while facilitating green growth, developing a low-carbon economy and ensuring that the enrichment of natural resources is a major trend in sustainable economic development.
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In 2018, the Vietnam Urban green growth development plan to 2030, was passed to guide the transformation of urban economic growth model towards green growth and climate change adaptation.
Ongoing Initiatives:
Partner Agencies: