11.4.9. Building on brownfield sites

UEH Develops Infrastructure on Brownfield Sites – Urban Regeneration, Environmental Restoration, and Sustainable Development

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is committed to developing its infrastructure through the reuse of brownfield areas, thereby reducing pressure on natural land, supporting ecological restoration, and promoting urban regeneration. This policy is clearly articulated in the UEH Green University Regulation (2023), updated in 2024 and the UEH Master Planning Project 2030, which prioritizes:

+ Utilizing pre-developed or planned urban land for expansion projects;

+ Limiting the use of agricultural or undeveloped land;

+ Integrating infrastructure development with landscape restoration, green spaces, and public community areas.

The selection of brownfield sites for the construction of teaching and research facilities holds strategic significance for sustainable urban development, as it enables the efficient use of existing land resources, fosters urban regeneration, and minimizes disruption to natural ecosystems. This approach also demonstrates the university’s capacity to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its campus infrastructure planning.

At UEH, this orientation is reflected through infrastructure development projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long Province, and the newly initiated UEH Nexus Campus in Nha Trang, reaffirming the university’s commitment to utilizing previously developed land, aligning infrastructure expansion with urban revitalization, ecological recovery, and sustainable community development.

Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the highlight of UEH’s sustainable campus network is the Nguyen Van Linh Campus (Campus N), situated at the southern gateway of the city within the New South Urban Area. Covering more than 11.1 hectares, the campus was constructed entirely on pre-developed urban land that had been reclaimed and leveled since 2003, without the use of natural land.

The campus features a comprehensive master plan, including a five-story lecture hall block, a ten-story administrative and executive building, and a fully integrated technical infrastructure system. Beyond developing modern infrastructure, UEH has prioritized environmental improvement by surrounding the campus with green spaces, water features, and landscape gardens, creating a refreshing environment that is nature-friendly and inspirational for learners.

As a result, 45% of the total area has been transformed into green coverage, while the integration of landscape ponds and green corridors has contributed to reducing urban heat by 2–3°C, reinforcing UEH’s commitment to sustainable building, urban regeneration, and climate change mitigation.

Panoramic view of UEH Nguyen Van Linh Campus (Campus N).

At UEH Mekong Campus in Vinh Long Province, the facility is located in Phuoc Hau Commune, Long Ho District, covering an area of approximately 1.43 hectares. The campus was developed on the abandoned administrative and civil area of Long Ho District—a previously used site (brownfield)—separated from National Highway 53 and adjacent to a 15-meter planned road with an extended frontage.

Continuing the sustainability spirit of Campus N, the UEH Mekong Campus enhances green coverage density across its premises, transforming the previously used land into a distinctive green space within the local urban landscape. Additionally, the campus has increased green area by 30%, rehabilitated the ground surface, and improved the local drainage system, effectively contributing to urban resilience, flood mitigation, and environmental restoration.

Panoramic view of UEH Mekong (Vinh Long Provinces).

In the latest project, the UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province is being developed on a 2.1-hectare site located within the Bac Hon Ong Urban Area. The campus is designed to accommodate 2,000 learners, provide 90 workspaces for academic and administrative staff, and include multiple zones dedicated to research, innovation, and community engagement.

The main buildings are interconnected by green vegetation belts in the form of hanging gardens running along the façade, harmoniously combined with open learning spaces that promote community connectivity. This architectural innovation not only creates a distinctive visual identity but also improves the microclimate, enhances environmental friendliness, and aligns with UEH’s green university model toward sustainable development and urban resilience.

Overall perspective of UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province.

UEH’s commitment to constructing new facilities on previously used (brownfield) land has achieved tangible outcomes, including:

+ 100% of new construction projects (2023–2025) developed on previously utilized land;

+ Nearly 14.6 hectares of regenerated land;

+ An average green coverage ratio of 35–45% across all campuses;

+ A reduction of 2–3°C in local urban temperature, improved rainwater permeability, and decreased localized flooding;

+ Each project functions as a “green node” within the urban structure, contributing to urban regeneration and expanding the local green space network.

These results demonstrate UEH’s firm commitment to sustainable infrastructure development, aligned with the strategy of urban regeneration and the efficient use of existing urban land resources. All campus expansion and infrastructure investment projects are implemented on reclaimed and revitalized sites, redesigned and repurposed to serve education, research, and community development.

Throughout the planning and construction process, UEH prioritizes the reuse of existing infrastructure and minimizes the use of new natural land, thereby reducing environmental impact, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable urban development.

Open related links:

1. n.d. – Regulation on Green-Campus Practice at UEH – https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations 

2. Feb 6, 2025 – UEH to be ready with a new vision and strategy: Becoming a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University in the Top 250 Asia in the 2025-2030 period – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-to-be-ready-with-a-new-vision-and-strategy-becoming-a-multidisciplinary-and-sustainable-university-in-the-top-250-asia-in-the-2025-2030-period-73384 (Đại học Kinh tế TP. Hồ Chí Minh)

3. Jul 5, 2025 – UEH Mekong: From Brand Positioning to Modern Infrastructure for Sustainable Education – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/ueh-mekong-from-brand-positioning-to-modern-infrastructure-for-sustainable-education-74435 (Đại học Kinh tế TP. Hồ Chí Minh)

4. Feb 26, 2024 – Developing UEH Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Campus: Vision for 2025-2030 – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/developing-ueh-nha-trang-khanh-hoa-campus-vision-for-2025-2030-71424