Technical infrastructure policies are considered as the foundation and enabling framework for sustainable and resilient urban development. Technical infrastructure meets essential requirements of urban activities and thus facilitates effective operation of these activities. A comprehensive and developed technical infrastructure system is one of the criteria for urban quality assessment. Development of comprehensive technical infrastructure involves close and consistent integration and coordination from formulation of master plans, investment, construction, to handover of the works for operation and management.
The Ministry of Construction in collaboration with GIZ-MCRP organized a Consultation workshop on policies for comprehensive urban technical infrastructure development and management in Ho Chi Minh City on 28 June 2023. The workshop was aimed at consulting stakeholders on proposed policies on technical infrastructure in the Law Proposal on Urban Development Management. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Nguyen Tuong Van, Vice Minister of Construction and attracted participation of representatives from relevant departments under the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Justice, municipalities, provincial department of construction, professional associations, developers, development partners, scientists and experts…
At the workshop, the MCRP presented a new approach to urban flood management – the application of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs). SUDs have been successfully applied in Long Xuyen City, Rach Gia City and Ca Mau City, and are being applied in Ben Tre City, Vinh Long City and Soc Trang City. Together with SUDs, the “Sponge City” model will also be studied for piloting in the Mekong Delta region.
The term “Sponge City” refers to urban areas with multiple natural features such as trees, lakes, and parks, or are well-designed for the purpose of absorbing rainwater and preventing or mitigating urban flooding. “Sponge City” is planned and developed to increase rainwater absorbtion. Rainwater would then be reused or naturally filtered by the soil and infiltrate aquifiers under the urban surface.
In preparation for application of this model, MCRP plans to develop capacity development programme for national and provincial officials in the Mekong Delta, prepare pre-feasibility studies on Sponge City model for the three selected urban areas.
