On Tuesday, a group from the ‘Liveable Cities’ project of the Canadian HealthBridge organisation, and from the Future of Places Forum, led by the forum’s Director Michael Mehaffy, visited Da Nang.  The foreign guests were warmly received by municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Tuan.

Vice Chairman Tuan (centre) and the visitors (Photo: cadn.com.vn)

Director Mehaffy said that the purpose of his delegation’s visit was to learn about the construction and management of public spaces in Da Nang.  He hoped that the city leaders would facilitate HealthBridge to soon implement projects involved in this aspect in the locality.  This would help to make Da Nang a model city in developing public spaces and adapting to climate change.

In reply, Vice Chairman Tuan remarked “Da Nang is focusing on building a synchronous transport infrastructure, and promoting the development of tourism, trade, logistics and seaport aspects in order to make Da Nang an environmentally-friendly and smarter city.”

He noted that many public entertainment areas and garden parks have been built across the city.  He, however, added that his city is finding it very hard to develop public spaces due to the fast rate of urbanisation and its shortage of experience and human resources.  He hoped that HealthBridge would share its valuable experience with Da Nang in developing public spaces, and in such public transport services as public bikes and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

HealthBridge is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation that has been working in Asia, Africa and the Americas since 1982.  Its aim is to improve the health of vulnerable populations, including those at risk of malnutrition, infectious disease and emerging epidemics, such as obesity and non-communicable diseases. 

HealthBridge began operation in Viet Nam in 1993.  HealthBridge Viet Nam’s projects have addressed issues relating to tobacco and cancer control, gender equality, reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, nutrition, and the building of liveable cities worldwide.