Speakers
Our confirmed speakers
About the Speaker
Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong
Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong is Academic Coordinator of Architecture bachelor’s program cum Senior Lecturer of Sustainable Urban Development master’s program at Vietnamese-German University (VGU). She received her Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Urban Environmental Management at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Before that, she gained M.Arch. and B.Arch. with a major in Architecture at the University of Architecture – Ho Chi Minh City (UAH). With almost 20 years of experience working abroad as a lecturer and researcher at AIT, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES, Japan), and Assumption University (AU, Thailand), her research experience and interests cover different aspects and issues of architecture and urban development.
M.Sc. Le Tuan Nghia
Mr. Le Tuan Nghia is a Lab Architect and Researcher of the Architecture bachelor’s program at the Vietnamese-German University (VGU). He obtained his M.Sc. in Sustainable Urban Development at the Technical University of Darmstadt (TUD) and Vietnamese-German University (VGU). Before that, he graduated B.Arch. with a major in Regional and Urban Planning at the University of Architecture – Ho Chi Minh City (UAH). With more than 6 years of professional experience in architecture and planning, he has participated in teaching activities and several projects in these fields.
Abstract
Smart Neighborhood: A Review of Case Studies in the Contemporary Context
In recent years, while many cities have been trying to move towards smart development, their urban neighborhoods have followed this trend in their ways under the umbrella of smart cities. At this small scale of urban settlements, the smart actions in their facilities, energy, environment, and mobility are shown through the case studies of selected cities in France, Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. By reviewing the case studies through secondary sources, this paper figures out several neighborhood development approaches that aim to be smart now and in the future. The scope of the review includes physical features of the neighborhoods, including smart transportation infrastructure and mobility, environmental facilities, and smart living, rather than non-physical aspects such as smart governance, smart people, and their socio-economic activities.
Findings from several case studies show that the smart facilities aim for the optimal usage and comfortability of the infrastructure and services in the neighborhoods. Smart solutions for the energy sector focus on energy efficiency by balancing energy consumption and generation. Smart mobility presents ways to enhance connectivity and promotes low-carbon modes of transportation. Concerning the living quality of neighborhood residents, the smart environment aims for a green, carbon-neutral, and eco-friendly approach to creating a more pleasant living place. In addition, smart buildings use technology to make life more comfortable by installing electrical and electronic equipment that can be controlled, automated, or semi-automatic. In most cases, technology plays an important role in supporting the neighborhoods to achieve smart growth to fit with the future cities.