Flooding and Traffic Jams: When Cities Run Out of Breath
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As urbanization accelerates and Vietnam commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the choice of urban development model is no longer just a matter of planning—it’s a strategic decision. We now stand at a crossroads: continue expanding cities the old way, or proactively build green, sustainable cities that ensure quality of life and a safe future for communities.
As urbanization accelerates and Vietnam commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, choosing an urban development model is no longer just a matter of planning — it is a strategic decision. We now stand at a crossroads: either continue expanding cities the old way or proactively build green, sustainable cities that ensure quality of life and a safe future for our communities.
1. Challenges of Modern Cities
Today’s major cities are facing multiple problems at once: air pollution, deteriorating water quality, traffic congestion, flooding, landscape degradation, and ecological imbalance. Green development is no longer a slogan or a “luxury trend” — it has become an urgent necessity of our time.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thi An, Director of the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development, emphasized that urban residents are yearning for living spaces that are clean, safe, and in harmony with nature. The severe damage caused by recent floods and landslides serves as a clear warning of the impacts of climate change. Meanwhile, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss are becoming increasingly serious.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (2022), the construction and building operations sector accounts for 37% of global CO₂ emissions. In Vietnam, the World Bank reported that national emissions reached 344 million tons of CO₂ in 2022, with the construction sector contributing significantly. Therefore, transitioning toward green urban models plays a crucial role in realizing the Net Zero target.
2. Green Cities and the Need to Regenerate Living Spaces
According to Dr. Architect Le Thi Bich Thuan, achieving the Net Zero goal means that developing green cities is not just the responsibility of urban planners but a collective mission for the whole society. A green city must simultaneously meet three criteria: green environment, green economy, and green society.
This is not only about planting more trees or expanding water surfaces, but also about developing sustainable transport infrastructure, using energy efficiently, recycling resources, and ensuring social harmony within the community.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Architect Hoang Manh Nguyen also noted that Vietnam is on the right path in line with global development trends. The challenge does not lie in building individual green projects but in creating an integrated green urban system that operates sustainably and coherently.
One example mentioned by Dr. Thuan is Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio, where planning emphasizes ecological balance, safety, community environment, and quality of life. As a result, the city is not only a residential area but also a climate buffer and a restorative space for the urban ecosystem.
3. Broad Opportunities for Green Development
Green urban development brings clear and tangible benefits:
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Investors enjoy government incentives, attracting capital and customers more easily.
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Residents live in a healthier, smarter, and more comfortable environment.
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The nation moves closer to achieving sustainable development and Net Zero goals.
In particular, Decision No. 21 by the Prime Minister on green credit classification opens a critical gateway for businesses to access preferential financing for projects that meet green criteria.
The market, technology, and public awareness are ready.
What remains are speed and determination, so that in the coming years, people can see and truly experience the presence of green cities in their everyday lives.
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