Research News for Climate Compliant Cities: The Case of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

This paper presents intermediate results of the research project 'Integrative Urban and Environmental Planning for the Adaptation of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Climate Change', which is part of the research initiative 'Sustainable Development of the Megacities of Tomorrow' of the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The overall objective of the research project is to develop and incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into urban decision-making and planning processes, which will increase resiliency to climate-related physical and social vulnerabilities for the urban system of HCMC. This paper argues that inclusive and effective urban planning is essential for climate adapted and energy efficient urban development. A dual strategy of top down and bottom up approaches is emphasized. It aims to improve local climate change response capacity and facilitate the integration of guidelines into the planning levels of the Vietnamese legal framework. The concept of 'three-level guidelines' is presented, providing a framework for climate change response on the conurbation, neighbourhood and building level. A Toolkit of Adaptation Measures and a Design Catalogue for the Promotion of Energy-Efficient and Climate Adapted Buildings as well as planning studies and a Community Based Adaptation Scheme are developed as part of the bottom-up activities.