The Council on Vertical Urbanism was pleased to partner with the Construction Sector Committee of EuroCham Vietnam to host the Tall Building Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City on 14 May, bringing together architects, planners, engineers, and urban leaders to examine the future of sustainable high-rise development in rapidly urbanizing cities. The forum focused on the relationship between density, transit, public space, and climate resilience, with discussions emphasizing that future urban growth must move beyond height alone and address the broader quality of urban life.
In reportage by the Saigon Times, highlights from the sessions and speakers at the event were shared. Giving the opening, EuroCham Vice Chairman Jean Jacques Boufle highlighted the growing urgency of sustainable urban development as Vietnamese cities continue to expand. Sessions throughout the day explored transit-oriented development (TOD), affordable housing, sustainable tall building design, and integrated planning strategies. Representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction stressed the importance of prioritizing green, energy-efficient buildings and strengthening standards related to energy use, waste management, and environmental performance. Speakers also emphasized the need to better integrate high-rise growth with public infrastructure and mobility systems.
Several CVU members presented at the event, focusing on the importance of the public realm in dense urban environments. Dennis Ho of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill argued that the critical issue for cities is not simply building height, but “the space between the heights,” emphasizing walkability, public space, and community-oriented urban environments. Tony Chan of Arup described transit-oriented development as essential to limiting urban sprawl and improving mobility efficiency, while cautioning that projects are too often evaluated in isolation rather than through their broader contribution to district-scale urban performance.
Florence Chan of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates discussed the need for more technologically integrated approaches to sustainable high-rise development as resource pressures intensify across major cities. Marc Salemink of UNStudio added that rapidly growing metropolitan regions must align tall building growth with robust public transportation systems that reduce dependence on private vehicles. The session was moderated by CVU Board Chair Shonn Mills.
Throughout the forum, speakers repeatedly returned to the idea that the future of high-rise urbanism in Vietnam will depend not only on accommodating growth, but on creating more connected, resilient, and livable urban environments.
Read more at The Saigon Times.