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How can Ho Chi Minh City balance explosive economic growth with ecological resilience?

Members of our Urban C:lab initiative visited Ho Chi Minh City to explore both the challenges and opportunities faced by a rapidly growing economy in balancing development and ecological resilience.

Vietnam is an emerging economic powerhouse, with Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) at its heart, growing at an impressive 9% per year and contributing a quarter of the country’s GDP. This rapid growth presents a unique opportunity for Urban C:lab to understand how HCMC can navigate its development while addressing critical issues such as limited green space, frequent flooding and the impact of informal settlements on coastal systems.

By examining these challenges, the team aims to identify frameworks and solutions that can help HCMC achieve sustainable and resilient urban development.

Our Urban C:lab team in Ho Chi Minh City. Image: ý

The Urban C:lab team explored HCMC through five thematic tours focusing on informal settlements, the Saigon River, mobility, energy transition and heritage. They also participated in a design sprint with local and international experts.

Urban C:lab extends gratitude to their collaborators in HCMC and internationally for their insights and support: LAVA, Place ap, IXO Partners, MIA Studios, RMIT, Officine Gap, HCMC University of Technology, One Landscape, Turner and Townsend, MH Architects, LJ Group and LaPerle Architecture.

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Can HCMC balance growth with with ecological resilience? We sent our Urban C:lab to find out.