Developing Viet Nam’s cities toward green growth and adapting to climate change is being discussed at a forum in Tam Ky City in Quang Nam Province, that opened on August 23.

The forum in Quang Nam (Source: baoxaydung.com.vn)

The two-day event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Construction, the UN-Habitat Viet Nam Programme and the provincial People’s Committee.

Participants sought to enhance the effectiveness of urban planning and management, and relevant legal framework, better access to urban services such as housing, infrastructure facilities and financial resources.

Poverty reduction, environmental protection and climate change adaptation were also debated.

Deputy Minister of Construction Phan Thi My Linh underlined the role of urban areas in realising economic and environmental goals, saying that urbanisation gives impetus to economic growth.

Over the past years, Viet Nam has recorded a fast urbanization rate, from 23.7 percent in 1999 to 35.7 percent in 2015. The rate is expected to reach 40 percent by 2020.

Viet nam currently has 787 cities with a combined population of 32 million people.

The quick urbanisation has resulted in low-efficient land use, unmatched infrastructure, and low urban competitiveness, causing negative impacts on the people’s living conditions and the economic growth of the cities in particular and the nation in general.

Viet Nam is among the countries most affected by climate change, and the issue poses new challenges to the nation’s urbanisation process.

A representative from the World Bank Viet Nam suggested Viet Nam devise new approaches in anticipation of difficulties facing in the next 30 years.

The WB has pledged support for 30 cities across Vietnam in green and sustainable growth.

(Source: VNA)