The London-based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), which has been engaged in research in Viet Nam for 20 years, revealed part of its findings on June 18 at a workshop on urban poverty reduction and resilience in Viet Nam.
The three-day workshop, with the participation of urban practioners, officials and community representatives, discussed experiences and shaped priorities around urban poverty reduction and resilience in Viet Nam.
Professor Diana Mitlin, Principal Researcher in the Human Settlements Group at IIED and Professor of Global Urbanism at the University of Manchester, said: "While evidence suggests that the most disadvantaged face acute problems, and these may be increasing, there are a number of initiatives that suggest positive ways forward both for Viet Nam and Asia more generally."
According to IIED research, Viet Nam is urbanising rapidly, and is forecast to be 45 per cent urban by 2020, up from the 30 per cent recorded in the 2009 census.
