In the afternoon of December 11, 2021, the Mientrung Institute for Scientific Research (MISR) of the Vietnam Museum of Nature (VNMN), the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) in collaboration with the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU, Berlin) and the Faculty of Architecture, Huế University of Sciences (HUSC) implemented the Kick-off Workshop for the »Huế Initiatives – Green Space, Green City« Design Competition within the framework of the project »GreenCityLabHuế: Strengthening climate resilience of urban regions in Central Vietnam through nature-based solutions for heat adaptation and air quality improvement« with the permission of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in Decision No. 2056/QD-VHL dated December 1, 2021. The Design Competition calls on students, local groups and organizations, and further interested citizens to submit ideas, concepts and designs for the implementation of small-scale best-practice showcases of green-blue infrastructure development in selected city localities (wards) within the city of Huế.
The workshop was implemented digitally via Zoom and was facilitated by the MISR and the Faculty of Architecture of HUSC. More than 50 delegates participated, including interested groups of students, local organizations and other individuals from Huế who intent to participate in the design competition contest »Huế Initiatives – Green Space, Green City«, lecturers from Huế-based universities, representatives of the Huế city localities (wards) An Đông and Thủy Biều, in which further project activities will be implemented, members of the GreenCityLabHuế Project Consortium. The kick off workshop aimed at creating an environment for exchange and learning on backgrounds of the GreenCityLabHuế Project, the importance of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure development for climate adaptation and air quality improvement, and on the requirements for the participation in the design completion in particular. At the same time, it gave the participants the opportunity to get to know each other and to form teams for their participation in the contest.
On behalf of the project management board and the Director of the UfU Institute, Dr. Michael Zschiesche, Mr. Fabian Stolpe (UfU, deputy coordinator of the GreenCityLabHuế Project) opened the workshop with acknowledgments to the MISR, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Architecture of the HUSC for their cooperation in organizing the design competition. He also emphasized that the input from young people and further citizens from Huế can be an important contribution for the future transformation of green infrastructure in the city.
Subsequently, the members of the organizing committee wished the participating groups success during their participation in the design competition. They also stated that the competition will hopefully contribute successfully to the co-creation of a new vision for climate change adaptation and air quality improvement in Huế.
In the further course of the event, Ms. Hoang Thi Binh Minh (MISR) presented more details of the GreenCityLabHuế Project and Mr. Nguyen Dinh Phong Canh (HUSC) outlined further details of the contest to the participants. The organizers collected the participant’s questions and contributions to the discussions, and provided information, feedback and assistance aiming at enabling the participants to prepare qualitative submissions to the contest.
On behalf of the organizing committee, we would like to thank the Vietnam Museum of Nature, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the University of Sciences of the Huế University and all other partners in the Thừa Thiên Huế Province for the good coordination and great support that led to the success of the kick off workshop. A special thank goes to the groups and individuals who participated and showed their interest in the »Huế Initiatives – Green Space, Green City« Design Competition.
The »Huế Initiatives – Green Space, Green City« competition will continue as follows:
- Preliminary round: from December 1, 2021 to the end of February 19, 2021;
- Semi-final round: from February 21, 2022 to the end of April 16, 2022;
- Final round: from April 18, 2022 to June 30, 2022