The Workshop discussed solutions for urban planning of Da Nang to respond to flooding issues, sharing lessons on the application of hydrological modeling and simulation of urban development (HUDSIM) for the city, introducing the basic content of the project “Developing the urban of Vietnam to cope with climate change in the period of 2013 – 2020″.

The workshop attracted the attention of technical agencies in urban management such as the Department of Urban Development, Ministry of Construction, VIAP, and the National Institute for Science and Technology Policy and Strategy Studies. From the city government,

participating in the workshop were representatives of Department of Construction, Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, Institute for Urban Planning, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Sewerage and Waste Water Treatment, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Planning and Investment, Department of Culture, Sport and tourism, Danang University of Technology, Duy Tan University, and Danang University of Architecture.

With the research results of HUDSIM project implemented by the Department of Construction from 2011 to 2013, Dr. Tran Van Giai Phong – a technical expert of ISET Vietnam emphasized the main impacts affecting urban planning of the city such as rising floods, changes in flood patterns in the low-lying areas which will influence livelihoods, housing, property and infrastructure and the inappropriateness of traditional approach for flood prevention due to morphological changes. Therefore, flood forecasting faces many challenges. Houses in the new urban areas flooded in 1-1.5 m deep water will be damaged, leading to fall in land prices and investment promotion. These areas flooded over 2m will incur heavy loss due to prolonged flooding. If the flood issues are not addressed, people in flooded areas and real estate investors will incur increasing damage and remedial costs caused by flooding.

At the Workshop, Dr. Tran Thi Lan Anh, Deputy Director of Department of Urban Development, Ministry of Construction stressed that the priority areas of urbanization, economic zones, industrial zones and tourist areas were at high risks from climate change, but most of the urban development plans for these regions still lacked solutions for response to climate change. There are some points in urban planning and specific solutions that Danang must take into consideration: selecting design frequency and controlling minimum height for base building; in some riverside areas, flooding is allowed to ensure safe flood drainage and reduce leveling. To ensure flood drainage of inner city areas, especially the old ones, it is necessary to build new culverts associated with urban underground works.

Ms. Tran Thi Lan Anh made a speech at the Workshop

Based on the discussions and information shared by experts and technical agencies in urban management of the city, Mr. Phung Tan Viet – Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee highly appreciated the comments and feedback. The interactive effects of urbanization have led to increased flooding in the city and rapid urbanization process has an impact on drainage and flooding. Climate change with extreme conditions has changed the flood patterns, impacted livelihoods, the local community and investors in urban areas.

Mr. Phung Tan Viet made a steering speech at the Workshop

Thereby, the Vice Chairman suggested the city departments should step by step integrate the comments and feedback in the workshop into their work, namely:

– Short-term and long-term socio-economic development plans and urban spatial planning needs to take into account the forecast of climate change and sea level rise.

– The adjustment and review of planning towards building the municipal government should consider the plan for flood prevention, river embankment, sea embankments, afforestation and infrastructure projects.

– Strengthening the planning and construction of buffer zones and public areas along rivers and coastal areas for effective use.

– Strengthening management of reservoirs, hydraulic and electricity systems to meet the requirements for flood prevention and irrigation.

– Planning should link with neighboring provinces to strengthen the prediction of water resources and floods …

Some ideas of urban design for Danang proposed by ISET

Mr. Marcus Moench – co-chair of the Workshop and Director of ISET Chairman appreciated the achievement of Danang in urban development, which has been recognized by the international community through being selected to participate in the 100 Resilient Cities Program initiated by the Rockefeller Foundation. Participation in the program will give the city access to the information of other cities with similar conditions but with different approach to urban development.

Mr. Marcus Moench – Director of ISET

Posted by Ms. Kim Ha – Technical staff, CCCO Da Nang

Original post by CCCO Da Nang webpage

About Climate Change Coordination Office of Da Nang city (CCCO Da Nang):

Director: Mr. Dinh Quang Cuong

Address: 42 Bach Dang, Da Nang, Vietnam

Tel: 0511.3888508 – Fax: 0511.3825321

Email: danang.ccco@gmail.com – Website: http://ccco.danang.gov.vn/