Vietnam is pushing on ambitious plans to develop smart cities towards green and sustainable growth with the assistance of the Netherlands, heard a seminar jointly held by the Ministry of Construction and the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam in Hanoi on March 29.

Vietnam is pushing on ambitious plans to develop smart cities towards green and sustainable growth with the assistance of the Netherlands. (Photo: moneycontrol.com)

The two nations will promote the exchange of information and experts and technology transfer. The Netherlands will share its successful stories in the development of smart city, airport city and living conditions with Vietnam.

They will work together to form research or startup projects and bolster connections with research institutes or universities in both nations.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Dinh Toan laid stress on the advantages of information and technology, saying that it will help create breakthrough solutions to urban development in Vietnam like planning, technical infrastructure services and environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Nienke Trooster said that a smart city will experience significant changes, like the shift from fossil energy to renewable energy and self-driving cars.

She stressed that urban areas should map out new economic models to cope with both short-term challenges and future changes like urbanisation, labour market, climate change and decline of natural resources.

Up to 70 percent of the world’s popularisation will live in urban areas by 2050, placing a burden on infrastructure, land and housing fund, she said, adding that building relations between local residents and the authorities are useful to developing  smart city eco-system.

Vietnam has witnessed rapid urbanisation rate of 37.5 percent, much higher than the region’s figure. The urban areas contribute 70 percent of the nation’s gross domestic products (GDP).-VNA