Environmental Management Measures (EMM) in controlling air pollution from vehicular emissions in Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Author | Nguyen Bao Thanh |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-04-10 |
| Subject(s) | Air--Pollution--Vietnam--Ho Chi Minh Air quality management--Vietnam--Ho Chi Minh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Ho Chi Minh City, the industrial and economic hub of Vietnam, has the country's largest vehicle fleet. As a result, vehicular air pollution is a growing environmental problem in HCMC. Air pollution has not only been causing serious community health problems including respiratory diseases, red eyes, cancer, nervous system problems etc, but also creating various social related issues. Often, people are disproportionately affected by vehicle emissions as they frequently live nearest to roads and traffic networks, and do not want to move. The purpose of this study has been to explore the potential role of EMM in controlling vehicular emission in the city so as to contribute to environmental management task. To achieve the above stated objective, the fieldwork was conducted in 18 districts of HCMC. Questionnaires were distributed to 153 motorcycle users. The opinion of government officials, specialists, scholars on the researcher was also drawn by in-dept interview. Secondary data was collected from empirical studies, official records and legal documents. Both qualitative and quantitative data methods have been employed for analyzing the obtained data. The findings of the study reveal a number of weaknesses in the legal system for controlling vehicular pollution in the city. Laws and regulations on air pollution are not only loose and unclarified but also often short term designed. Due to many constraints such as limited human resources and financial capability, difficulties in monitoring, and lack of expertise, the enforcement of EI has also not been explored and widely applied in the city. People are very responsive to the El, which suggests controlling air pollution in HCMC. Many motorbike users are willing to pay more for the improvement of air quality. However, the city's authorities have not fully exploited this opportunity. With respect to education and awareness raising, the city authorities have focused only on road safety, have not given adequate attention to the quality of vehicle emissions. As a result, general public knowledge on air pollution caused by mobile emission is extremely low. Public pressure on the City's Authorities for taking action on air pollution control is weak. Moreover, there is a lack of coordination between relevant authorities at the national, city and local levels in dealing with air pollution. Based on the use of EMM framework and combining findings, the recommendations of the study therefore are three pronged: (1) one package of policies are specific for strengthening of RI, which are: tightening of emission standards for old vehicles, strengthening of traffic regulations, mandating the use of clean gas engine, enforcement on regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles; (2) policy package to expand the potential application of EI in the city, including subsidies should be considered to encourage people using environmental friendly engine, penalties for violators of vehicular emission standards; and (3) Moral Suasion should emphasize holding of public education and awareness raising campaigns on the importance of vehicle maintenance and appropriate technology, the benefits of using mass transit, and compliance of environmental standards. It is also recommended that, all of three above approach to packages should be applied complementarily for adopting a comprehensive improvement of vehicular air pollution in the city. A crucial prerequisite to implement these policies is the coordination of all stakeholders including national government, Vietnam Register, city authorities, DOSTE, DTPWs and local residents. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Amin, A. T. M. Nurul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sajor, Edsel E. ;Nguyen Cong Thanh |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |