A workshop about solutions for urban development planning to adapt to flooding took place in Da Nang on Tuesday.  The event was co-organised by the municipal People’s Committee (PC), the Urban Development Agency of the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction, the US Rockefeller Foundation, and the US Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET).  Its purpose was to implement the city’s 2013 - 20 project on coping with climate change. 

Addressing the event, the municipal PC Vice Chairman, Mr Phung Tan Viet, said that Da Nang has implemented many projects for coping with climate change.  In particular, the focus was on mainstreaming climate change in its socio-economic development plans.  He added that his city has also taken the initiative of participating in the 100 resilient cities network for climate change.

Vice Chairman Viet speaking at the event (Photo: http://tainguyenmoitruong.com.vn)

Vice Chairman Viet said that special attention has also been paid to mainstreaming climate change in urban planning, and in creating green and eco-urban areas.  In addition, the city has made every effort to strengthen cooperation with international organisations to carry out scientific research for urban development adapted to climate change.

The city leader remarked that Da Nang is facing many challenges as some local areas flood each rainy season.  He said he hopes that many long-term strategic solutions would be identified at the event to help the city sort out this problem effectively.

ISET President Marcus Moench said that very few of the cities in Viet Nam have effectively tackled climate change.  He remarked that ISET, therefore, would continue its efforts to help Da Nang enhance the efficiency of urban planning, and develop solutions from mitigating natural disasters by adjusting the city’s master plan.