VietNamNet Bridge – Sustainable development measures to help coastal urban areas respond to climate change was a major topic discussed at the "Viet Nam's urban areas and climate change" conference in Da Nang late last week.

Tran Trong Hanh, a member of the Viet Nam Association of Architects, said compared to the rainfall from 1980-1999, the volume could increase by 10 per cent in the North and North Central areas, 5 per cent in the South Central, and 2 per cent in the South and Central Highlands provinces.

In addition, floods would occur more regularly in urban areas.

Sixty years from now, the sea level could be 28-33cm higher than from 1980 to 1999. By the end of the 20th century, 37 per cent of the Mekong Delta region's area and 23 per cent of HCM City's area would flood if the sea rose by just 65cm.

Hanh also said urban populations have continued to increase. In 1986, only 11.8 million people, 19 per cent of the population, lived in urban areas. In 2009, the figure was 25.3 million, which makes up 29.6 per cent of the population.

Architects advised building "green" urban areas, particularly along the coasts, to maintain living conditions of the residents most directly impacted by global climate change.

In 2009, there were 405 urban areas, 45 of which were located near the sea and mouths of rivers in 34 coastal provinces and cities.

Doan Quang Sinh, from the Department of Management and Exploration of the Sea Islands, said plans for urban development must have a vision for the next 50 to 100 years.

Hanh said there should be a national committee for urban and environment management and development that would have the capacity, human resources and rights to prepare a national urbanisation strategy.

Architect Bach Tan Sinh, from the National Institute for Science, Technology Policy and Strategy Studies, said it was important that the people who have actually lived through severe weather conditions participate in this process.

Architect Nguyen Van Tat in HCM City said the Government should have construction regulations for, in urban areas, for example, the appropriate building height in flood-prone areas.

He expressed his concern that the country still lacks long-term climate change solutions.

* Fresh-water fish released into wild

"The breeding and release of these fish to the wild not only helps improve the population of native fish in the basin of the Sai Gon River, but also helps reduce mosquito larvae, including that causing dengue fever and other diseases," said Bui Huu Manh, WAR's conservation officer.

WAR has been conducting a survey of non-commercial native species in order to breed and release them to the wild since February, including Crescent Betta, Lambchop Rasbora, Blackline Rasbora and Pygmy Gourami.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News