Da Nang moves to promote urban resilience

The strategy, a joint effort between the municipal authorities and the US-based Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Network (100RC) , proposes 36 actions to build citywide resilience, including plans for storm resistant housing, micro-insurance to provide financial security in the face of natural disasters, the revitalisation of community spaces, and strengthening the city’s Disaster Management Centre. 

“Resilient Da Nang” lays out four key visions in response to these challenges. They are a peaceful city, a dynamic city, a prepared city and a connected city.

Accordingly, Da Nang is expected to a city free from fear and anxiety in places where residents live, work and recreate. It will also be a dynamic economy in partnership with people and businesses to meet the needs of a changing world.

It will have infrastructure systems which can recover quickly from, and be well prepared for future challenges, and will be a city where knowledge is driven by meaningful information sharing. 

Da Nang is witnessing a rapid growth of transportation, services and tourism but facing challenges from natural disasters and rapid urbanisation process, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ho Ky Minh. 

Local poor and near-poor households are meeting with unstable employment and insufficient access to health care, education, housing, and other services. 

For years, the city has been outlining plans and measures, and enhancing international cooperation to minimise damage caused by climate change, Minh said.

Resilient Da Nang marks a vital milestone in the city’s development history, which helps it adapt to and deal with challenges in the future, he added. 

Lauren Sorkin, Regional Co- Director for Asia and Pacific of the 100RC said the 100RC programme will continue supporting Da Nang in realising urban resilience goals. 

The “100 resilient cities” network aims to help worldwide cities to develop plans and prepare their community for better coping with and recovering from shocks, tensions and disasters in the 21st century.