GreenCityLabHuế – Strengthening climate resilience of urban regions in Central Vietnam through nature-based solutions for heat adaptation and air quality improvement

The aim of the GreenCityLabHuế project is to strengthen the climate resilience of the city of Huế through nature-based solutions (NBS) with a focus on adapting to heat and improving air quality. To this end, the project will create a multidisciplinary research and experimental space to develop, test, visualise, discuss and implement ideas and concepts for restoring and expanding green-blue infrastructure (GBI) – i.e. all natural elements related to plants and water, such as green spaces, parks, trees or rivers, etc. – and thus promote NBS in Huế. In cooperation with stakeholders from science, politics, administration and civil society, the international project consortium will generate shared knowledge on NBS for stakeholders and decision-makers, which will be brought together in a city-wide concept – a strategy with mission statements and best practice recommendations for greener, more resilient and sustainable urban development in Huế, with proposals for specific measures to implement GBI.

By providing information and scenarios based on qualitative research, multi-layered GIS (Geographic Information System) modelling, impact assessment and the Urban Learning Lab approach, the project aims to encourage stakeholders and decision-makers in Huế and other Vietnamese cities to incorporate GBI development into their planning processes. Knowledge transfer and the involvement of stakeholders and the public in the development of scenarios and planning processes will create opportunities for shared learning. In addition, capacities for joint design processes within administration, science and the public will be built up.

During the definition phase, the project developed a typology of GBI elements and, based on this, initial narratives and scenarios for possible GBI developments in Huế. During the research and development (R&D) phase, the focus was on revising the models for land use changes, conducting an impact assessment, and implementing participatory co-design and co-learning processes, combined with practical examples of NBS. On this basis, the Green City Vision Huế, an urban development strategy for GBI and NBS, was developed in collaboration with local stakeholders. In addition, a Best Practice Handbook was produced, which provides policy makers, experts and communities with a scientific basis and practical tools for the design, implementation and management of NBS and GBI. Another highlight was the climate-adapted redesign of three urban areas using NBS – including a school playground, a cultural centre and a brownfield site.

The aim of the current implementation phase (2025–2027) is to develop and implement NBS in the form of urban GBI in two public locations in collaboration with local stakeholders. This should reduce urban heat stress, improve air quality and increase recreational opportunities for the population. To provide scientific support for the implementation, the results of the NBS measures and the effectiveness of the participatory approach will be evaluated. Finally, the project will summarise and disseminate the findings to strengthen capacity building, support knowledge exchange and promote integration into local administration in Vietnam.

Project lead:

Dr. Michael Zschiesche
Unabhängiges Institut für Umweltfragen – UfU e.V.
Greifswalder Str. 4
10405 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 4284 993 32
E-Mail: michael.zschiesche@ufu.de

Project partner:

Prof. Dr. Dagmar Haase
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Geographisches Institut, Abteilung Landschaftsökologie
Unter den Linden 6
10099 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 2093-9445
E-Mail: dagmar.haase@geo.hu-berlin.de

Further project partners:

• Mientrung Institute for Scientific Research
• Hue Institute for Development Studies
• Hué University of Science
• Ad Hoc Practice

Project website GreenCityLabHue