From March 6–9, 2026, The University of Danang – University of Science and Technology (UD-DUT) and Japan’s Utsunomiya University (UU) held their 9th international workshop under the theme “Shaping a Livable Da Nang: Public Space, Mobility and Resilience along the Light Rail Transit (LRT).”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Phuong Nam, Vice Rector of UD-DUT, said the workshop was part of the academic cooperation program between the two universities. It aimed to strengthen collaboration among experts, researchers, lecturers, and students through academic exchange and the development of practical, research-based recommendations to support transport and urban planning aligned with Da Nang’s development conditions and strategic vision.

The workshop brought together interdisciplinary perspectives in architecture, urban planning, transport infrastructure, and public space design, contributing to the city’s long-term goal of sustainable urban growth as a “livable city” resilient to climate change.

Experts and researchers noted that the theme encouraged participating teams to explore how the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system could serve not only as a public transport mode but also as a catalyst for shaping open urban spaces around station areas. The proposals also considered complementary forms of personal mobility, including bicycles and electric vehicles, with a view to creating an integrated transport model suited to local conditions and increasingly extreme weather events.

Over the three-day program, participating teams—including around 50 students from UD-DUT and UU—conducted field surveys, site assessments, and environmental analyses in an interdisciplinary, multicultural setting. The workshop followed a project-based learning model, culminating in team presentations.

The proposed solutions focused on the effective organization and use of public-transport-related spaces, alongside environmental protection measures, drainage planning, and flood mitigation during the rainy and storm season.

The proposals also outlined a vision for developing the LRT system into a green corridor with smart stations, helping reshape the urban core into a sustainable mobility ecosystem while creating safe, accessible, and comfortable green spaces for residents and visitors.

The workshop reaffirmed the value of academic exchange as a platform for generating ideas and solutions that can contribute to Da Nang’s sustainable and adaptive urban development.

UD Media