On July 8, 2021, the National University of Civil Engineering (NUCE) collaborated with the Italian Embassy in Vietnam to organize the 5th "Italian Design Day 2021 - Italian Design Day" with the theme "Rebirth of urban areas”. This is an annual event held in many parts of the world to spread the quintessence of Italian design.
Attending the opening ceremony, on the side of the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, there was Mr. Antonio Alessandro - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic in Vietnam; Mr. Antonio Tedesco – First Secretary, Head of Commerce Department; Ms. Tran Hong Hanh - Head of Uni Italy Office in Vietnam and GS.KTS Massimo Roj - Italian Design Ambassador in Vietnam 2021, keynote speaker at Milan, Italy.
On the side of the University of Civil Engineering, there were Asssoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa – Rector; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang – Vice Rector; Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Head of International Cooperation Department; Dr. Nguyen Cao Lanh – Dean of Faculty of Architecture and Planning; Dr. Le Quynh Chi – Deputy Head of Planning Department, Faculty of Architecture and Planning.
Overview of the ceremony
At the opening of the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa - Rector of NUCE expressed his honor when NUCE was being chosen to be a companion to organize the the 5th "Italian Design Day". Hoa emphasized that this year's theme entitled "Urban regeneration", is a matter of great concern in developed cities, requiring multi-disciplinary research in historical, cultural, economic and social values. Many experts of NUCE have been researching and teaching in this field. The Rector hoped that this Program would be a chance for experts of the two countries to exchange experience and learn from each other aiming to urban reconstruction towards green cities, sustainable development. Also, it is expected that further cooperation between Italy and Vietnam will be promoted.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hoa speaks to kick off the ceremony
In his response, Ambassador Antonio Alessandro thanked the University for accompanying the Embassy in organizing the Italian Design Day 2021. Italy is one of the top countries in the world specializing in contemporary architecture and design as well as urban planning, home furnishings, said the Ambassador. Mr. Alessandro hopes that Italian Design Day will be a forum for Italian and Vietnamese experts and architects to exchange and share an overview of trends and solutions for urban regeneration projects in Italy, in Vietnam and around the world.
Ambassador Antonio Alessandro gives his speech
Italian Design Day 2021 with the theme of "Urban Regeneration" was held by a combination of face-to-face and online meeting, connecting between bridgeheads: NUCE in Hanoi; Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City; Italian Design Ambassador 2021 in Milan, Italy.
The main speaker of the seminar was architect Massimo Roj, founder of Progetto CMR design firm based in Vietnam, China and Taiwan. Architect Massimo Roj shared about architecture and sustainability in urban regeneration - concepts that the architect himself has actively pursued for more than 3 decades, in order to promote flexibility, sustainability, Eco-consciousness and human-centered design philosophy. In the opinion of architect Massimo Roj, "urban regeneration" is not only about preserving existing architectural heritages, but also about considering the intrinsic values of the land, understanding and celebrating locality as well as social and cultural identities when it comes to building construction and urban planning.
Architect Massimo Roj presents at the seminar
At the workshop, Italian and Vietnamese experts presented, exchanged and shared experiences, emphasizing the role of design solutions for sustainable development in modern architecture.
