In an effort to ensure Da Nang’s sustainable urban development, the city’s Department of Construction has recently created a database about urban planning in the context of the current climate changes.

Funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, the “Hydrology and Urban Development Simulation Model” (HUDSM) project, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, has been implemented in the city.  It is part of the “Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network” programme, which is operating in 10 Asian cities.

Da Nang beside the Han River

The hydrology and urban development simulation model will provide an important database for the city, ensuring that sea level rises and climate change resilience are accounted for in its urban planning.  Based on the model, maps will be made of local flooding spots in different scenarios of urban development, climate change, and sea level rises.  This will help the local relevant agencies to assess and manage construction projects effectively in order to ensure the city’s sustainable urban development.

Top priority will be given to developing new urban areas, as well as  services and industries, in flood-free locations which include the communes of Hoa Ninh, Hoa Phu and Hoa Son in Hoa Vang District.  As for the flood-prone areas, including the lower sections of the Vu Gia, Thu Bon and Cu De rivers, the aim should be to implement land-use and infrastructure planning works which focus on calculating the best level of foundations for the constructions, as well as finding ways to ensure effective floodwater drainage.  In addition, the MIKE NAM and MIKE FLOOD hydrological models will be applied on the lower sections of the Vu Gia, Han and Cu De rivers.

The Director of the Ministry of Construction’s Technical Infrastructure Department, Mr Nguyen Hong Tien, said that the success of the HUDSM project will help Da Nang to make its master plan up to 2030 with a vision to 2050, as well as to create suitable urban development strategies.  He added that the project will help to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on the city.