As international cities accelerate their resilience efforts, what must Vietnam do domestically to avoid falling behind?
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Urban areas, being densely populated and asset-rich, are always the first to be severely impacted by disasters or crises. However, this very concentration also allows cities to recover more quickly thanks to their available resources, skills, and organizational capacity. (1) .
The reality during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated this clearly: major cities like Hanoi responded swiftly and showed the ability to access and flexibly repurpose medical, quarantine, and community support spaces. This is a clear sign of the urgent need to rethink how we plan, design, and build cities in an increasingly volatile future.
Essential Qualities of a "Resilient City"
According to Dr. Trần Minh Tùng from the Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural Planning (VIUP), a resilient city must possess seven key qualities:
Reflective: Able to respond quickly based on new data and accept uncertainty.
Robust: Built with durable physical structures that can withstand natural disasters and epidemics.
Redundant: Equipped with diverse backup systems to maintain functionality when the main systems are affected.
Flexible: Easily adaptable, with the ability to shift functions using new technologies and local knowledge.
Resourceful: Capable of mobilizing financial and human resources flexibly in response to crises.
Inclusive: Strengthens community cohesion, encouraging people to stand together.
Integrative: Connects different urban systems to support one another and enhance overall efficiency.(2)
Specific Strategies for Vietnamese Cities in the Post-COVID Era
Following the pandemic, the Vietnam Institute for Urban and Rural Planning (VIUP) proposed several practical planning recommendations:
Safe shelters: Reduce vulnerability by ensuring adequate housing with access to nearby commercial and service facilities.
Public spaces and health: Expand green areas, parks, and sports zones to support public health and reduce pressure during social distancing periods.
Flexible healthcare infrastructure: Develop a closed-loop public-private healthcare network that can be quickly mobilized in emergencies.
Business support: Create a stable investment environment to help businesses survive and recover from crises.
Guidelines for resilient construction: Issue technical guidelines for using temporary or emergency spaces in urban planning.
Protection of natural ecosystems: Treat ecosystems as strategic reserves and integrate them into urban infrastructure planning.
Global Perspective: Gensler's “Resilience by Design” Approach
Gensler – a leading global architecture firm – also emphasizes the importance of resilient design:
Resilient design is no longer a “nice-to-have” feature, but a smart business imperative to mitigate climate risks and disasters. Gensler’s 2024 design projects are projected to avoid approximately 19.6 billion kilograms of CO₂e and achieve a 64% reduction in operational emissions. (3).
This helps increase asset value and enhance competitive advantage.
“Resilience … a smart business decision and a critical response to increasingly severe weather and climate events.” (4)
1. C-Park Haisu
Gensler has implemented flagship projects such as C-PARK Haisu in China, its carbon-zero San Francisco office, and The 600-Year Office – a sustainable workplace designed to last up to 600 years with the ability to adapt and evolve over time.
2. Englewood Nature Trail
The Englewood Nature Trail will transform an abandoned rail line into a pedestrian and bicycle path while preserving the natural landscape. It serves as the backbone of the first Agro-Eco district in the U.S., aiming to revitalize the local economy in Englewood through urban agriculture, job creation, and support for a historically underserved community.
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Planning efforts focus on five key intersections where the Englewood Nature Trail meets Chicago’s major transportation corridors, aiming to enhance accessibility and stimulate local economic development. At these nodes, multimodal transportation will be closely integrated with adaptively reused existing buildings, which will serve as anchors for a comprehensive and sustainable Agro-Eco District development strategy.
3. Johnson Controls Headquarters
The Johnson Controls Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Shanghai is a prime example of innovative, sustainable design integrated with smart technologies. Co-designed by Gensler’s Shanghai and Chicago offices, the building has achieved three top-tier green building certifications, making it the first project in China to earn this prestigious distinction.
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It is a five-story complex covering 54,000 square meters, integrating sustainable solutions such as an automatic shading system, insulation technologies, rainwater harvesting for 50% of its green roof, and a solar hot water system. This building stands as a leading example of smart, environmentally friendly architecture in the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, it is the first project in China to achieve all three major certifications:
LEED Platinum, China Green Building Design Label Three Star, and the IFC–World Bank Group's EDGE Certification.
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Conclusion
Integrate resilience thinking into urban planning: Design proactively from the outset to adapt to risks, rather than reacting passively after they occur.
Prioritize communities and flexible infrastructure: Develop public spaces, sustainable housing, and healthcare systems that can be quickly mobilized in times of need.
Learn from international models, strengthen local capacity: Combine global green standards like LEED and EDGE with locally appropriate solutions for a more resilient urban future.
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