HCM CITY – Many solutions were discussed at a workshop titled “Energy-saving solutions to improve air quality in buildings” in HCM City on Friday.

Organised by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment and Panasonic Vietnam, the event attracted around 100 experts, investors, contractors and consultants.

It heard that because of the impacts of climate change, large cities in Viet Nam are now facing increasingly severe air pollution mainly caused by traffic, construction and people’s daily activities.

In particular, indoor air quality is a major concern, delegates said.

Thus, finding solutions to save energy and improve air quality in a way that is energy-efficient without compromising microclimate comforts within buildings are major questions for the construction sector, they said.

Talking at the workshop, Tô Thị Lợi of the Việt Nam Construction Environment Association said, “Many housing and office buildings have been built in urban areas and cities in recent years due to rapid urbanisation.

“Indoor air quality has strongly impacted people’s health and working capacity. So, solutions like suitable planning, design, and construction materials are needed for the indoor air quality in buildings.”

In 1990 the country had around 500 urban areas but by the end of last year the figure had jumped to 813, she said, adding that by 2025 half the population would be living in urban areas.

An expert from the Ministry of Construction told the workshop his ministry cares deeply about indoor air quality standards.

It has assigned the Viet Nam Construction Environment Association to study indoor air quality in buildings to amend regulations on building design and equipment so that the quality can be improved, he said.

Kazuhiro Matsushita, general director of Panasonic Vietnam, told the workshop: “Việt Nam is a modern, fast growing country. Hà Nội, HCM City and many other cities’ landscapes are changing every day with the development of new buildings.

“Việt Nam today has many issues that Japan is still facing, especially energy saving and air quality in buildings. From my experience, in the near future energy saving and high air quality will become major advantages for any building in attracting customers to buy a house or rent an office.”

Panasonic said it had introduced total solutions for buildings that integrate advanced construction methods and a consistent system of technology solutions and techniques.

The solutions not only help green and smart buildings achieve outstanding energy-saving performances but also ensure a comfortable, safe and healthy living environment, it said. VNS