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Green Works - New Trend in Sustainable Development in Vietnam
Green Works - New Trend in Sustainable Development in Vietnam
(VOVWORLD) - Green works are construction projects that offer energy and
materials efficiency, minimal environmental impact, and maximal user
friendliness. Green works have become a global trend in sustainable
development to which climate change is a looming challenge.
The first green works in Vietnam were built in 2007 and were enthusiastically
welcomed by the government, and the general public. In the following decade, 60
construction projects in Vietnam have been certified internationally as green works.
Architect Hoang Thuc Hao, a lecturer at the National University of Civil Engineering,
says green works have been considered the right development direction because
they conserve energy, preserve natural landscapes, and promote a healthy
environment.
“Vietnam has traditional architecture works that save energy. For example, the 5-
chamber houses in the rural area of the Red River Delta are constructed with organic
materials in a north-south orientation, link gardens, ponds, and pigsties, and have
front eaves made of timber, rocks, or soil. These are environmentally friendly
materials. These houses are warm in winter and cool in summer. Our ancestors’
experience in architecture should be respected in modern architecture by combining
advanced technology with native Vietnamese culture,” said Hao.
In the past decade, Vietnam’s annual construction and urbanization rate grew 12%
and 3.4% respectively.
Energy consumption has increased 14% per year, growing faster than GDP.
Vietnam uses 36% of all its consumed energy for construction works, 33% of which
is electricity consumption. This produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions and one
third of all carbon dioxide output, the main contributor to global climate change. It is
predicted that Vietnam will suffer severe ecological damage if it doesn’t take
appropriate steps now to boost green works and conserve its natural resources.
Phan Thi My Linh, Deputy Minister of Civil Engineering, said the development of
green works is part of the implementation of the National Green Growth Strategy.
She said: “We have defined green works as green architecture adapted to climate
change. This means choosing the right scale and increasing the use of wind energy,
solar energy, and environment-friendly materials.”
Architect Nguyen Thanh Le, Director of the 5.i.v.E Architecture and Construction
Consultancy Company, said: “Green buildings must be environmentally friendly, so
architects must pay attention to environmental issues from the original concept
through the construction process. Because Vietnam has hot, humid weather, houses
must be designed with modern technology, non-baked bricks, and double glazing.
Ventilation must use convection to make the house cool and dehumidified. The
house should be designed to take advantage of its own shadow to avoid direct
sunlight, especially in summer.”
Vietnam can have more green buildings if the State, the public, architects, and
builders all participate. The National Strategy on Climate Change and the National
Strategy on Green Growth are the keys to promoting green works.
Professor Hao says the development of green buildings will bring great benefits to
the national economy, society, and the environment. But Vietnam needs more
qualified architects, he added.
Vinh Phong
http://vovworld.vn/en-US/society/green-works-new-trend-in-sustainable-development-in-
vietnam-587169.vov