From a Hard to Soft Approach for Flood Management in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: Integrating Ecological Engineering for Urban Sustainability in My Tho City

Flooding is one of the leading challenges faced by delta cities in world. Flood risk management using flood control infrastructure (FCI) a popular solution to prevent damage; however, this receiving enormous criticism due its negative impacts on urban ecosystems. Recently, there have been new approaches that gradually shifted focus away from FCI, such as ecological (EI) based approaches. However, conventional thinking cannot be safe without FCI seems an immutable one, especially developing countries. This study firstly assessed human–river interaction direct relation and outlined limitations FCI. Then, ecology research model was used conduct case Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), which between factors, including riverine urbanization, formation dynamics, changing hydrological regime, risk, ecosystem degradation were evaluated. Due dynamism complexity interactions humans rivers at VMD, attempts demonstrate building ability adapt risks EI will crucial role enhancing sustainability cities. Through My Tho City (MTC) resilience scenario for area along River developed discuss reduction restoration native The findings suggests should considered effective indispensable design tool conservation riparian corridors public open spaces—which major challenge areas context increasing climate change VMD.