From July 26 to July 30, the Institute of Smart Cities and Management (ISCM) under the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) in collaboration with the University of Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City (UAH), Handong Global University (Korea) and Yangon Technological University (Myanmar) successfully organized the International Summer Design Camp 2021. With the theme "Smart Design City for Zero Carbon Emission", the summer camp wishes to  promote the reduction of emissions from cities while combining the thinking and perspective of young people in creating sustainable and friendly cities in the future. The program is part of the annual activities of UNESCO UNITWIN.

The growing wave of urbanization has placed a significant burden on the environment because cities are the biggest consumers of energy and emit enormous amount of carbon in the world. According to the study, urban areas cover only 3% of the Earth's land surface but generate more than 70% of all carbon emissions, mainly from buildings, energy, and transport. In fact, more than 54% of the total population lives in urban areas and this proportion is predicted to increase to 68% by 2050. Thus, as the population grows, new construction will lead to higher energy consumption levels and carbon emissions are much higher than what we can see today.

Faced with the reality of society, the International Summer Design Camp 2021 is organized to create a playground for international students with a comprehensive approach to propose smart integrated design ideas and urban solutions. Therefore, it can enhance the self-healing capacity of the city; overcome current environmental, economic, health and social crises; ensure the operation of intelligent, green, flexible, fair and efficient cities.

The International Summer Design Camp 2021 chosen the theme "Smart Design City for Zero Carbon Emission" to contribute to emissions reduction from cities, combine ideas and perspectives of young people in urban planning and  create sustainable, friendly cities in the future.

In the complicated situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in both Vietnam and South Korea, the program's organizers chose to work online instead of gather at one location as expected previously

The online Opening of the International Summer Design Camp 2021

The program has the participation of more than 60 excellent students from Vietnam, Korea, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Nigeria with companion of international professors and experts:

• Dr. Trinh Tu Anh - Director of the Institute of Smart Cities and Management, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)
• Dr. Hoang Ngoc Lan - Deputy Faculty of Planning, University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH)
• Dr. Tran Mai Anh - Deputy Director of the Institute of International Training, University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH)
• MSc. Dinh Tran Gia Hung - Lecturer at Faculty of Architecture, University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH)
• Prof. Seo Ducksu - Handong Global University, Korea
• Prof. Lee Eunjong - Handong Global University, Korea
• Prof. Park Changsong - Handong Global University, Korea
• Prof. Son Seongchan - Handong Global University, Korea
• Prof. Lee Wonsup - Handong Global University, Korea
• Mr. Kim Hyoungwoo - Handong Global University, Korea
• Ms. Lee Saimi - Handong Global University, Korea
• Prof. Hwang Euihyun - Handong Global University, Korea
• Dr. Zin Taryar Win - Yangon Technological University, Myanmar

Students exchanged online in groups

Students are divided into groups throughout the studio's activities, with members from many different countries to help them exchange and learn from each other's experiences. After a week of working together, with teaching and guidance from leading professors and experts, the groups presented products that are full of quality and meaningful concept ideas.

An exchange of concepts on the Miro platform

The group S-MART with the idea of ​​"SMART BUILDING" won the Best Design Award

“The building we designed is a multi-purpose community space. This place will provide many services for users, such as places to study, work, entertain, market,... The specital feature of these spaces is that they are all dedicated to using only green, clean, and ecologically friendly materials, with farming methods acting as the foundation for the building's green system. Thereby, through the process of using the building, users can experience and understand the importance of a sustainable lifestyle for the environment and their benefits.” - Sharing of the S-MART group is one of the three groups that won the Best Design Award at this program.

The students presented their concept ideas in the summary session

The group "Imagine Dragon" with the idea of ​​"Green Matrix City" won the Sustainable idea award

The concept "Green Matrix City" is the result of research and diligent studies of the group "Imagine Dragon" which is related to the problem of Rapid urbanization and Urban heat island (UHI) - which describes an urban area that is significantly warmer than the surrounding suburban areas. Based on these research results, the team proposed the idea of combining pocket parks and green alleys.

Winning the Creative idea award, group 9's "The Graceful Bridge Park" concept is a combination of two structures to solve problems related to reducing carbon emissions, improving social activities, visual amenity and adding green space.

Photos from Korean friends when the program ended

The International Summer Design Camp 2021 program has taken place successfully. It not only enhances the exchange and research skills for students but also posing many open issues with the desire to aim and promote future cities that are environmentally friendly. With youth and the young spirit, generations of UEH students in particular and the world, in general, are making efforts to contribute, solve challenges of the social environment, join hands for sustainable and comprehensive development.

News, Photos: Institute of Smart Cities and Management, Department of Marketing and Communication