On May 6, 2025, the GreenCityLabHuế project organized the Closing Workshop for the Research and Development Phase to summarize the results achieved over more than four years. The workshop attracted over 30 participants from various local agencies.
At the beginning of the workshop, Associate Professor Dr. Phạm Hồng Thái, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Museum of Nature and Director of the Central Scientific Research Institute, expressed his gratitude to the GreenCityLabHuế project management team for their tireless efforts in achieving the planned objectives. He also sincerely thanked the local professional agencies in Huế for their enthusiastic support of the project and its activities over the past four years.
At the workshop, the GreenCityLabHuế project presented two key documents: the “Best Practice Handbook for Tropical Cities in Southeast Asia: The Case of Huế City, Central Vietnam” and the Huế City Green Vision “Promoting Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Planning: The Case of Huế City, Central Vietnam.” These strategic documents outline guiding principles, best practice recommendations, and concrete measures for implementing green-blue infrastructure through nature-based solutions, aiming to support a greener, more resilient, and sustainable urban development process for Huế City.
The documents were jointly developed by the project’s international partners, including the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU, Berlin) and Humboldt University Berlin (HUB, Berlin), Germany, together with the Vietnamese partners Mientrung Institute for Scientific Research, Hue City Institute for Development Studies (HueIDS), and the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Sciences, Huế University.
Mr. Fabian Stolpe from UfU delivered a presentation on the key outcomes of the GreenCityLabHuế project during the 2021–2025 research and development phase. His talk covered activities such as modeling nature-based interventions, implementing pilot sites for nature-based solutions in urban areas of Huế, developing recommendations and best practices, and drawing key lessons from the practical implementation of green-blue infrastructure initiatives under the project. Following that, Ms. Hoàng Thị Bình Minh from MISR presented the results of implementing nature-based solutions at the four showcases located in the wards of An Đông, Phú Hội, Trường An, and Thuỷ Biều.
The workshop also included a handover of the green infrastructure installations to local authorities for continued maintenance and upkeep. During the remainder of the Research and Development Phase, the project will finalize the guidance reports on the use and management of these showcases to ensure a timely transfer to the respective local governments and land owner.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for the GreenCityLabHuế project to present a preview of its planned activities during the upcoming Implementation Phase (2025-2027). Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Tùng introduced the implementation of nature-based solutions within the campus of the University of Sciences, Huế University. Ms. Hoàng Thị Bình Minh also introduced a new green site where the project will support the design of nature-based solutions at the cultural land of Định Môn Village, Hương Hồ Ward. Participants suggested additional showcases for the project and engaged in discussions about the maintenance of the project’s green spaces. One participant proposed the idea of educating students to protect and care for trees, as a way to help sustain the green showcase at An Đông Primary School and to enable environmental education opportunities.
After the discussion, the GreenCityLabHuế project invited participants to visit the showcase in Trường An Ward. The site features a combination of nature-based solutions designed to help mitigate urban heat and improve microclimate. These include permeable surfaces, climbing plant systems, grass carpets, and a robust trellis system, along with solar-powered lights. The pilot site creates a multifunctional green space with high utilization efficiency. The participants praised the GreenCityLabHuế project’s efforts in implementing nature-based solutions.
The GreenCityLabHuế project would like to thank all representatives for their participation including the Division of Economy, Infrastructure, and Urban Development of Thuận Hoá District; the Green Park Management Center of Thuận Hoá District; the Urban Environment and Works Joint Stock Company; the Department of Tourism; the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Huế City; the Institute for Community Health Research; the Hương River Watershed Protection Forest Management Board; the Forest Protection and Development Fund; the Centre for Social Research and Development and the FloodadaptVN project as well as representatives from units hosting showcases, including the Board of Management of An Đông Primary School, the People’s Committees of Phú Hôi, Trường An, and Thuỷ Biều Wards, along with representatives of the design teams participating in the “Huế Initiative – Green Space, Green City” competition. Lastly, the GreenCityLabHuế project would like to express its sincere gratitude for the support from the International Cooperation Department, the Vietnam Museum of Nature, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. We would also like to thank the People’s Committee of Huế City, the People’s Committee of Thuận Hoá District, the People’s Committees of An Đông, Phú Hội, Trường An, and Thuỷ Biều Wards, local professional agencies in Huế, scientists, managers, social development centers, businesses, and the citizens of Huế for their strong support in implementing the GreenCityLabHuế project’s research and development activities. Our thanks also go to the Ministry of Research and Education of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German experts who, together with our partners in Huế, successfully carried out the Research and Development Phase. The GreenCityLabHuế project looks forward to continuing to work alongside ministries, local authorities, and partners for the upcoming Implementation Phase of the GreenCityLabHuế project.
