VietNamNet Bridge – A new building that will house the city's Department of Science and Technology will be the first in the city to meet an internationally recognised environmental standard devised for the country, experts said at a workshop yesterday, Nov 24.

The municipal People's Committee has approved in principle the rebuilding of the department office in District 3 meeting the green building requirements under the LOTUS Silver certificate, said Dr. Fanny Quertamp Nguyen, co-director of the HCM City Urban Development Management Support Centre.

The LOTUS Rating Tools, developed by the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC) specifically for the Vietnamese environment, are based on existing rating systems such as LEED from the US, BREEAM from the UK and Green Star from Australia.

The VND200 billion (US$10 million), 10-storey building, including two underground floors, has received architectural advice and technical support from French firms, she said.

The building's design is being completed and construction is expected to begin next year, said Huynh Kim Tuoc, director of the HCM City Energy Conservation Centre.

He said that the 20-40 per cent higher costs have hindered investors from following green building model as a way to promote sustainable development.

Tuoc also blamed a shortage of local construction consultancy firms for the sluggish development of green building constructions in the city.

The Government should provide incentives via financial or land-use policies to encourage investors to develop green buildings, he added.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News