DRAFT MEMORANDUM. (1) Current PSU Initiatives in Hoi An and Quang Nam Province and Next Steps

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1 DRAFT MEMORANDUM TO: Institute for Sustainable Solutions, Center for Public Service and UNHabitat FROM: Julia Babcock on behalf of Portland State University SUBJECT: Hoi An EcoCity Planning and Implementation Update and Next Steps DATE: September 14, 2012 The memo includes the following: (1) PSU s current initiatives in Hoi An and Quang Nam Province and Next Steps (2) Summary Meeting Notes (3) Background documents from the 2011 Atelier and links for reference of emerging sustainable development concepts and tools from the Portland Metro Region. (1) Current PSU Initiatives in Hoi An and Quang Nam Province and Next Steps On 15/12/2009, City Council enacted Resolution No. 11/2009/NQ-HDND to formalize the intent of Hoi An to be a model EcoCity for Vietnam. UNHabitat has been working with Hoi An People s Committee to develop plans to ensure each ministry is working to integrate EcoCity goals into local projects and processes. PSU has served as a consulting institution to shape goals for EcoCity planning and development through research, student and professional exchange and community engagement with the following major activities: o In September 2010, PSU and UNHabitat hosted a scoping workshop to share model sustainable development practices that could be adapted to the Hoi An context. o In September 2011, PSU and UNHabitat hosted a leadership training workshop for implementation of the Quang Nam Provincial Development Strategy in Tam Ky. o In September 2011, PSU and UNHabitat hosted an Atelier in Hoi An to engage a wide representation of community and regional stakeholders to analyze EcoCity goals utilizing the EcoDistrict framework. o In July-September 2011 Atelier, PSU and UNHabitat funded Masters of Public Administration graduate student intern Sou Souvanny to develop community profiles to understand the context at the commune and ward level. o In September-December 2011 to follow up on the Atelier, PSU and UNHabitat funded Masters of Public Administration graduate student intern Ashley Hollenbeck to develop a guide on how to engage the local community in climate change adaptation and conduct research to inform a section of the Quang Nam Province Development Strategy on watershed management. o In March 2012 Dr. Marcus Ingle Director of International Public Service participated as an advisor for the Vulnerability and Adaptability Assessment Workshop based on research conducted by Vietnam National University. 1

2 o In July-August 2012 Masters of Public Administration graduate student intern Matthew Shane worked with ILO and DAS in Tam Ky to conduct surveys and market studies to develop ecotourism strategies. o In July-September 2012 ISIS Climate Change Program Lead Khanh Pham a Ph.D. Urban Studies student worked with UNHabitat to develop case studies to inform the Leadership in Climate Change workshop in Ho Chi Minh City and strengthened institutional relationships with DISED, Vietnam National University, APD/MPI and Ho Chi Minh Academy. o In August-September 2012 ISIS Eco-City Program Lead Julia Babcock worked with local Hoi An organizations to document projects that demonstrate EcoCity goals as well as develop a series of memos with potential partner organizations for future research and pilot projects. Upcoming 2012 Activities o September-December 2012, Masters of Public Administration graduate student intern Erik Mandell will work from Hanoi and Hoi An with university partners to support the EMPA trip, work on a field project in Hoi An and further research opportunities. o October th 2012, Executive Masters of Public Administration students will host a workshop in Hoi An. o October th 2012, a delegation will come to Portland from Vietnam including: o Mr. Nguyen Duc Hai, the General Secretary of the Quang Nam Communist Party. o Mr. Tran Minh Ca, Vice-chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam Province o Mr. Le Van Giang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An City o Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan, President of the Viet Nam National University (VNU - Hanoi) o Dr. Nguyen Quang, Habitat Programme Manager o Ms. Bui Thien Hien, UNHabitat Project Coordinator All of these activities will help shape long-term strategic partnership goals in Hoi An to mutually benefit research and professional exchange in the future. Specifically, these activities align with the commitment PSU made with UNHabitat to continue supporting EcoCity development. Below is a table of the status and next steps of commitments made at the 2011 Atelier. 2

3 2012 PSU, UNHabitat and VNU Atelier Update Commitment Status Next Steps Atelier Report Utilize report as a guiding completed, sent to document for future EcoCity stakeholders and posted research and project on PSU s Vietnam implementation Forum website Collaborate on developing a high quality Atelier Report One or more official delegations of Hoi An officials to visit Oregon to study the Portland Eco-District development program Host student internships for 10 week periods or longer to collaborate with Hoi An City officials and communities on the implementation of various Eco-City projects. Send a group of Executive Masters of Public Administration (EMPA) students to Hoi An in mid-november of 2011 to meet with Hoi An officials in order to demonstrate our continuing friendship and collaboration. Delegation is registered to attend the 2013 Portland EcoDistrict Summitto include: PSU has sent five interns and developed relationships with DONRE, Phan Chau Trinh University, Action for the City and the Cham Islands MPA staff for future placements. EMPA students will conduct a workshop in partnership with Phan Chau Trinh University in October The delegation will come to Portland from October th to present at the EcoDistrict Summit and for a series of high level meetings with Portland State University to sign agreements to continue work with VNU, Quang Nam Province and the City of Hoi An. PSU through CPS is working to establish a more formal Eco-City student internship program to send undergraduate and graduate interns to work in Hoi An throughout the year. Two memos have been written in partnership with Cham Islands MPA outlining potential research topics. The workshop will initiate a relationship with PCTU to build institutional capacity for research in Hoi An. Conduct a Leadership Training seminar on the topic of Leadership for Hoi An Eco-City Strategy Implementation for Hoi An officials and key stakeholders based on the EMERGE Leadership training conducted in Quang Nam province in September Establish a collaborative Eco-City Sustainable Urbanism long term strategic research partnership between PSU, Vietnam National University and UN-HABITAT Planned for 2013 Ongoing UNHabitat will host a economic opportunity event in Quang Nam province early next year and the leadership workshop could be part of the those events. The delegation coming for the EcoDistrict Summit in October includes UNHabitat s Program Manager as well as the President of Vietnam National University. The trip presents a unique opportunity to develop long term strategic partnerships. 3

4 Additional Next Steps EMPA October Workshop PSU s model for education and research is to let knowledge serve the city. The Executive Masters of Public Administration (EMPA) is a program for public service leaders with over ten years of experience engaged in high level policy work about the integration of resources across sectors and at multiple scales. In bringing 15 EMPA students to Hoi An and hosting a workshop with PCTU and other community partners, PSU intends to meet the following objectives: 1. Improve cross cultural understanding and communication between professionals in Vietnam and the U.S. Business relationships and academic exchange opportunities are increasing as Vietnam experiences rapid economic growth and urbanization. The workshop provides local professionals in Hoi An and the EMPA a chance to build relationships to learn from each other as public service administrators in different international contexts. 2. Support EcoCity development strategies that make Hoi An a model for other Vietnamese cities. By sharing best practices between Hoi An and Portland, both cities can strengthen their identity as international models. Portland though recognized in the U.S. as a leader in sustainable development, can learn from the extensive cultural history of Hoi An, its community resilience and climate adaptation strategies. 3. Develop partnerships to conduct research between Hoi An and Portland that strengthen the role of institutional research in urban and regional planning and public administration. PCTU has agreed to partner with PSU to host this workshop in order to strengthen research relationships between the two universities in order to better serve the community of Hoi An. 4. Develop funding strategies to leverage local resources and attract outside funding through multilevel partnerships. The workshop seeks to engage a wide representation of local and regional government and community stakeholders to develop strategies for funding EcoCity implementation. Potential Workshop Learning Journey Topics Waste Management Visit compost processing plant, landfill and recycling center to show the current distribution of waste. Discuss ways to make waste management more efficient Water Management Start from upstream water treatment facility. See clams and move downstream to Cam Thanh to understand water scarcity and effects of upstream river health on Hoi An and larger implications for the region. Discuss opportunities to develop rainwater collection systems to offset use of tap water. 4

5 Develop Informal EcoCity Advisory Committee In Hoi An, many divisions operate separately on planning and implementation efforts and lack coordination to integrate goals. The EcoCity plan provides an opportunity to engage divisions on catalytic projects to maximize the return on future investments for public benefit. Establishing accountability mechanisms to track EcoCity progress requires a protocol to share reporting across divisions. PSU can work with local stakeholders to conduct an annual workshop that highlights opportunities and challenges facing Hoi An in its plans to become an EcoCity. Portland State University has begun to build institutional partnerships with Phan Chau Trinh University (PCTU) locally as well as several regional and national universities in order to be responsive to the research and integration needs of Hoi An for implementation of sustainable development projects that support EcoCity goals. The workshop will be the first of many activities to strengthen cross-divisional relationships and represent short and long term steps to enhance monitoring and evaluation reporting. 5

6 (2) Summary of Meeting Notes In August and September 2012, I conducted a series of interviews in Hoi An with community stakeholders that participated in the Atelier in 2011 to follow up on emerging research and technical assistance for Eco-City implementation. Below are my meeting notes. Action for the City, August 14th Attendees: Giang Dang, Action for the City Giang mentioned three major research areas related to EcoCity development that could guide future research in EcoCity development: 1. Land Use. The City is undertaking a land use plan without having an ecological assessment of aquatic and terrestrial conditions. PSU could provide field work on species and habitat conditions to inform future land use designations. 2. Transportation. Traffic remains a growing issue for the health and safety of residents and tourists. PSU could develop a transportation design workshop to assist with emerging challenges brought on by increased pressure on roadways from motor vehicles. 3. Governance. Giang suggested for follow up on the Atelier that PSU work with PCTU to set up a network of local practitioners and community members interested in EcoCity development. I added her suggestion to additional next steps. Phan Chau Trinh University, August 16th Attendees: President Nguyen Ngoc, PCTU and Giang Dang, Action for the City We met and discussed PSU's model to "let knowledge serve the city" in the Portland region as well as interests in continuing to build partnerships to support research in Hoi An related to EcoCity development. President Ngoc told me about PCTU which is a young university open for five years. PCTU is named after the famous nationalist Phan Chau Trinh. The University's current programs focus on the humanities and social sciences and include: 1. Vietnam/Cultural Studies and Tourism 2. Communication, Language and Media 3. English and Chinese 4. Economics As well as: 5. Computer Science 6. Telecommunications 6

7 In the future PCTU hopes to include ethnography as a key research program to serve and study the central highlands and ethnic tribes in the mountains. There is also an interest to use land in Cam Thanh for ecological field studies. We discussed the opportunity to engage the Executive Masters of Planning Administration in October to host a workshop on the role of institutions in EcoCity development. The workshop could include case studies MPA's can share about PSU's model to engage students in community problem solving as well as some more information about the EcoDistrict framework. President Ngoc agreed this would be an event PCTU would participate in and he was also interested in how PSU serves the larger region which is also UNHabitat's vision to scale up sustainable development and improve regional coordination. Division of Natural Resource and Environment (DONRE), August 17 th and 30th Attendees: Mr. Hien, Division Manager and staff, translator Ms. Dung DONRE Plans Update (see diagram below for reference) Priority 1 plans o Land use plan- has been finished by Hoi An People s Committee in partnership with DONRE and other divisions. The plan will be sent to the province at the end of the year. Between now and June next year Province will revise/reach agreement start in middle of next year o Urban office of the spatial development plan is being finalized will be submitted to province this year. o Modernization of infrastructure plan-is a new plan which is being focused on in and outside of city for ecocity development o Transportation plan-lack of funding to do transportation plan at this time. 2nd tier o Sustainable tourism development plan-only in the thinking not formalized in document. Working with commune to follow regulation for ecocity. Draft tourism map not yet agreed to by district and city. o No progress on population plan, division of health responsible for plan. o Plan for water supply network division of urban, not yet developed. However, the Province is building a new factory to supply water upstream 21,000 meters of water. Old factory will close when new is completed. Public provide partnership (ppp) project for investment. The old factory only served 35-40% of population. o City architecture-building design, height and size. Museum office is lead. Invest 8,000 million in this plan. Plan for project sent to government, agree to pay 1 7

8 and half thousand billion vnd. Government and ngo partnership. University of Japan been working on since rd Tier o Both plans for mineral use and mgmt of water resource conducted by DONRE. Working with expert to develop plan, DONRE is taking lead on developing for all of province. Now will send to the Province to use DONRE's model for other mineral use and mgt plans. Hoi An city has created detailed plan province will copy the detail. What kind of mineral and how to manage. o Water resource use and mgmt. Team to show province all of projects in Hoi An last year and have not heard feedback. So many areas in Hoi An having difficulty with system. In Mr Hien's house hard to connect water. Challenges with water resource from salinity, and dangerously low in summer. Dry season getting harder to make use of water resources. City will start getting water from wells in Hoi An. 60% of people use water from well 40% from factory. The water is processed even if you drink from well. 10 meters deep are the wells and the water collects from surface. o Industrial and Agriculture Plan headed byddivision of Economics with DONRE also working on mode. Rural area having plan for protecting area in commune. In countryside trying to modernize facilities. There is a pilot in cam thanh, cam kim and cam ha to protect the rice fields along the city from cam chao near vegetable village. Also land is designated in land use plan. o River embankments projects and dredging-not yet started planning. Now city has activity to plan for that. Government invests 150 billion to build enbankment near thu bon river near bac dinh street and market. From the Japanese bridge to the cam thanh bridge to improve water quality. There is a process to test ideas through projects before committing fully to plans. Many projects are underway in different plan areas that will inform plan development. 8

9 PRIORITY: PREPARATION OF PLANS 1 Transportation plan Green tree plan Land use plan Spatial development plan Plan for modernization and upgrading of infrastructure (particularly underground) Sustainable tourism development plan Population plan Plan for water supply network Plan for city architecture 2 3 Plan for mineral use and management Plan for water resource use and management Plan for industrial and agriculture development Plan for river embankments and dredging 9

10 (3) Background Documents and Links For further information regarding PSU s initiatives in Hoi An, please review the following background document: 1. Atelier Guidelines which provides documentation of the 2011 EcoCity workshop held in collaboration with PSU, UNHabitat and local and regional stakeholders. ( Portland State University has collaborated on the development of the following tools relating to sustainable development: 2. The EMERGE leadership framework ( which has been adapted to the Vietnam context for several high level trainings for public officials as well as private institutions. 3. The Triple Bottom Line Tool ( utilized for the design and evaluation of economic development projects to demonstrate social, economic and environmental benefits 4. EcoDistrict Framework ( is an initiative to assist communities in developing neighborhood scale sustainable development. The framework was used to align existing EcoCity goals for Hoi An with performance areas to establish local priorities for projects. 5. The Regional Equity Atlas ( developed to show the geographical distribution of public investment benefiting the people of Portland and the region. The tool could be adapted to shape the distribution of public investment for communes and wards in Hoi An, especially related to the finding of the VAA that provided research about which communities will need the most support for climate adaptation. 10