08. Proposal of orientation for environmental zoning in national environmental protection planning

Abstract

Environmental Planning is the integration of the basic principles of landscape architecture, ecology, health science, environmental science and many other disciplines, revolving around the pillar is environmental zoning. Environmental protection in Vietnam is currently facing many difficulties, not keeping pace with rapid socio-economic development. One of the main reasons is the lack of proper integration of environmental protection requirements in development plans, especially the lack of a unified environmental protection plan. In that context, Environmental Protection Planning (EPP) is expected to be a break-through towards effective natural resource management, environmental protection, and harmonious development of the three pillars: economy - society - environment. Currently, the concept of EPP has been institutionalized in the Law on Environmental Protection (2014, revised in 2020) and is defined as a national sector plan under the Planning Law (2017). Environmental zoning can be seen as one of the core contents for successful EPP. Through researching world approaches to environmental zoning and criteria development, comparing with Vietnam's practical needs and consulting experts, this article proposes a direction for Vietnam in the context that the national EPP is being developed. Accordingly, the environmental zoning in the national EPP should be long-term oriented, mainly based on environmental sensitivity, with aspects: (i) Water environment, (ii) Soil environment, (iii) Ecology and Biodiversity, (iv) Natural disasters and Climate change and (v) Human health.