On May 21, Professor Dr. Christian Jolk welcomed numerous guests from academia, the professional sector, and the field of international cooperation. Together, they discussed current challenges and opportunities in sustainable urban and regional development as well as water management in Vietnam.
Following opening remarks by Rolf Schulze, former German Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and First Chairman of the German-Vietnamese Society, the presentations focused on the consequences of rapid urban growth.
The speakers highlighted, among other things, the transformation of the Ha Long region from a mining hub to a tourism destination, river basin management in Vietnam, as well as flood risks and adaptation measures in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Additionally, the potential of geographic information systems (GIS) and digital technologies for sustainable planning processes was presented.
A highlight of the evening was the opening of the photo exhibition “Vietnam’s Cities in Transition” by curator Dr. Michael Waibel from the University of Hildesheim. The exhibition documents the dynamic changes in Vietnamese cities through 13 large-format posters. Historical photographs are juxtaposed with current views, revealing the profound developments in Urban Planning, economics, and society. At the same time, the images highlight the tensions between economic dynamism, cultural identity, and the impacts of climate change.
Professor Jolk has been engaged in research projects on Vietnam’s economic and spatial development for many years. His work focuses in particular on urban and rural open spaces as well as issues of sustainable urban development.
The exhibition can be viewed until June 4 in Building 3 (Casino) on the Kreativ Campus Detmold.
The traveling exhibition is sponsored by the German-Vietnamese Society e. V. and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa).