ISCB project lays foundation for sustainable urban development in Viet Nam

The Ministry of Construction, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Embassy of Switzerland, Swiss Cooperation Office in Viet Nam, held the Closing Ceremony for the project "Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building for Sustainable Urban Development in Viet Nam" (ISCB) in Ha Noi on August 1.

The event brought together more than 120 delegates, including representatives from central and local government agencies, local communities, international organizations, research institutions, universities, and the media. The ceremony not only reviewed the project's key achievements over the past five years but also laid the foundation for a renewed vision toward sustainable urban development in Viet Nam.

From Urban Realities to Future Visions

As part of the event, participants visited a curated showcase illustrating Viet Nam's urban transition, comparing baseline conditions in 2020 with the progress achieved through ISCB initiative. While having rapid urbanization, Viet Nam still faces significant challenges, including spatial inequality, fragmented policy implementation, and a shortage of skilled professionals in integrated urban planning.

The ISCB project was specifically designed to address these gaps by reinforcing institutional frameworks, delivering practical and context-responsive training, and promoting multi-stakeholder planning approaches that align with international best practices.

Representatives from UN-Habitat and Switzerland echoed these views, reaffirming Viet Nam's growing role in the global urban development agenda and commending the ISCB project's forward-looking, inclusive approach, particularly at a time when the country is undergoing historic administrative consolidation and restructuring.

"Sustainable urban development begins with strong institutions, empowered communities, and inclusive planning. Switzerland is proud to support Viet Nam in shaping resilient, liveable, and economically vibrant cities through strengthened urban policies and institutional capacities." - Mr. Aldo de Luca, Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to Viet Nam

Capacity Building and a shift in the mindset for Urban Management

One of ISCB's key achievements is the development of a Sustainable Urban Development (SUD) Training Programme, comprising six modules. These modules were co-designed based on the training capacity of the Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training, international experience from UN-Habitat and development partners, as well as needs assessments from local agencies within the Academy's partner network.

The six training modules were piloted through nine capacity-building courses, directly implemented by the Academy with technical support from UN-Habitat. The program attracted hundreds urban managers and technical officers across various provinces.

In addition, 37 trainers successfully completed the Training of Trainers (ToT) course, 20% of whom went on to facilitate and coordinate SUD courses. This laid the foundation for a self-sustaining network of trainers and technical advisors, enabling localities to continue accessing knowledge and tools for sustainable urban development beyond the project's lifecycle.

At the same time, the global toolkit "Our City Plans" (OCP), which is developed by UN-Habitat to promote participatory planning, was localized, refined, and piloted in Viet Nam. Serving as a flexible and adaptable framework, OCP empowers inclusive urban planning from the grassroots to the provincial level. It guides local governments and communities to co-create visions, design public spaces, and implement development plans through collaborative and participatory methods.

Strengthening Institutions to lay the groundwork for Urban Policy development

Sustainable urban development requires the stability and comprehensiveness of policy and regulatory frameworks related to urban development management.

Within the framework of the ISCB project, institutional strengthening activities have been implemented to support the Ministry of Construction and the (former) Ministry of Planning and Investment in enhancing their policy-making capacities.

Both national and international experts shared knowledge, experiences, and practical assessments to support the development and implementation of legal and regulatory documents related to urban management and development.

For the (former) Ministry of Planning and Investment, the project focused on working with the Department of Planning Management to assist in the formulation of provincial planning, and to promote cross-sectoral coordination in the revision and amendment of the Planning Law.

ISCB's policy recommendations, tools, and training materials were aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda, contributing to Viet Nam's broader commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

From Policy to Practice: Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue and Participatory Planning

A key highlight of the event was a demonstration of the participatory planning approach. Through pilot activities in Ben Tre and Tam Ky, the project created conditions for communities to take an active role in shaping visions, designing public spaces, and providing policy feedback. More than 1,000 residents and local officials participated in consultation sessions, surveys, co-design workshops, and co-creation processes, clearly illustrating a shift from "being planned for" to "planning together."

Strategic Vision and Commitment in new era

Mr. Frank D'hondt, ISCB's Chief Technical Consultant, presented the project's overarching strategic vision, linking it with Viet Nam's international commitments and the SDGs. A panel discussion featuring representatives from the Ministry of Construction, Swiss Cooperation Office in Viet Nam, and national training academies reinforced the need for intersectoral coordination in planning, capacity-building, and financing local initiatives in the post-project phase.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ngo Anh Tuan, Director General of the Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training, affirmed that: "The ISCB project has helped clarify the reality that sustainable urban development cannot rely solely on infrastructure investment. It must start with strong institutions, capable people, and transparent processes. The results of the project will continue to be integrated by the Ministry of Construction into national action programs, technical guidance documents, and future policies supporting localities".

The tools, outcomes, and lessons from ISCB will continue to be disseminated through a growing network of experts, training institutions, and technical assistance mechanisms. As Viet Nam enters a new phase of complex urban challenges, ISCB leaves behind a practical foundation to ensure that localities will not walk this path alone./.