Green walls and green roofs: URBAN ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION
Vietnam is a country characterized by stable economic growth that has led to a growing middle class and increased urbanization. At the same time, Vietnam is among those countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The geographic location and topography of the country, such as its long-stretch of north-south running coastline, make it susceptible to rising sea levels, typhoons, floods, and extended periods of drought and heat. This situation requires planned adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The Vietnamese government has acknowledged the issue, and this is expressed in several long-term policies, strategies, and development plans, such as the National Adaptation Plan.
The interrelationship of urban development and growth and the increasing impact of climate change require that adjustments be made to urban planning and development. Public and private investments need to take into consideration intensified rainfall and flooding on the one hand and extended periods of higher temperatures on the other. The integration of elements of Ecosystem-based Adaptation or Nature-based Solutions into urban development is an opportunity for cities to create attractive, green, healthy, and livable urban spaces.
Dong Hoi city in Quang Binh province has developed three Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures as part of a transformative approach to urban development with the support of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), which is an important part of the German government’s international climate finance commitment. These measures will serve to showcase the possibilities of green interventions in the urban context. One of the selected measures is a green walls and green roofs pilot model. It will transform a public building into a sustainable urban solution that contributes to flood water absorption, heat stress reduction, and increased biodiversity, as well as contribute a green aesthetic to the city’s appearance.
The following guidelines were developed along with the green walls and green roofs measures in Dong Hoi city to provide investors with information regarding technical solutions, project implementation, plant selection, investment costs, and so on, in order to facilitate the replication of such projects elsewhere. We hope that you find this guideline helpful and feasible for the implementation of your green wall and green roof projects. This significantly contributes to climate resilient urban environments and to human health and wellbeing.
