A recent research project has been conducted on sustainable small-scale housing in Ha Tinh City, proposing a set of green architecture criteria and architectural design solutions for better adaptability to climate change. The study, which was published in the E3S Web of Conferences journal, was conducted by Tuan Quoc Nguyen from Phuong Dong University, Hung Tan Khuat from Hanoi Architectural University, and Thanh Phuong Ho from the University of Melbourne.
Ha Tinh City, located in the North Central Coast of Vietnam, frequently experiences natural disasters and climate change. The city has suffered from extreme weather conditions such as storms, hot dry winds, and flash floods, which have affected daily activities such as water supply and transportation. These floods pose a severe threat to the environment, life, and health of the people.
They surveyed and analyzed 195 representative houses in four typical urban areas of the city. The research team conducted surveys, interviews, and measurements of climate data to assess the effects of climate change on houses and human activities. Using the traditional vernacular experience gained from local experts and residents, the team analyzed and assessed the effects of climate change on houses and human activities. They then created a set of criteria to guide people to build or renovate their homes in the direction of green vernacular architecture, which is more sustainable and better adapted to climate change in Ha Tinh.
A set of vernacular solutions was recommended to better adapt to climate change in Ha Tinh. The recommendations include building houses with locally sourced materials, providing proper ventilation and shading, using rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems, and using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
The research project found that embracing vernacular architecture is one of the best pathways for Vietnam to respond to climate change. Vernacular architecture is characterized by the culture, life, needs, construction materials, skills, and expertise of local people, and is implemented with many climate-responsive strategies. This creates a vital connection between humans and the environment.
The scholarly investigation on sustainable small-scale accommodation in Ha Tinh City is an essential addition to the field of vernacular architecture and climate change adaptation. The conclusions furnish valuable direction for the citizens of Ha Tinh to construct or refurbish their abodes in an ecologically conscious and climate-responsive manner. It is our fervent aspiration that this study will inspire other municipalities and nations to adopt vernacular architecture.
