Addressing urban flooding at household scale in Ho Chi Minh city

Abstract

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has a high building density in central areas, which reduces the natural permeability of the ground and contributes to urban flooding during the rainy season. Urban flooding is a serious issue in HCMC, causing traffic congestion, large-scale pollution emissions, and property damage at the household level. The local authorities have implemented various measures, such as the use of high-capacity pumps, to quickly drain water from streets. To become a smart city that can maintain a natural balance, HCMC needs sustainable solutions. Considering rainwater as a natural asset for sustainable development is a feasible approach, especially given the city’s average annual rainfall of 1,949 mm and 159 rainy days per year. This paper proposes an architectural study in which the amount of rainwater stored in each building is equivalent to the volume of water that can be reused for household needs, while also helping to mitigate urban flooding. The study focuses on a typical residential area in HCMC—Binh Loi neighborhood, Binh Thanh District—to collect data, propose a design solution, and evaluate the effectiveness of rainwater regulation through underground household tanks. This solution contributes to the city's flood mitigation efforts, reduces household water expenses, and eases the pressure on the municipal clean water supply.