THE FACT THAT the rapid growth of precarious settlements, the deterioration
of the technical infrastructure and water pollution are interconnected
has now been firmly established. The present study aims to supply
political decision makers and community leaders with the specific knowledge
they require to confront the problems arising from the ongoing
metropolization of Ho Chi Minh City (hereafter known as HCMC). The
study’s main concern is to find alternative ways to upgrade the urban
environment, protect natural resources and contribute to the development
of the most disadvantaged members of the community.
An interdisciplinary and participatory approach, based primarily on
the concept of action research, was chosen to reach these objectives. It integrates
the various disciplines required to evaluate the urban environment
(environmental studies, engineering, social studies) and plans to make its
results operational by involving players from the public and private
sectors, and the population, at different stages of the project.