Age-friendly smart cities workshop

Age-friendly smart cities workshop

This inspiring event brought together experts, researchers, and industry partners from Vietnam and Australia to explore how our cities can become smarter, more inclusive, and more age-friendly.

On 11 September, as part of the SSC Hub’s Mobility and Research Engagement Fellowship Program 2025, Associate Professor Catherine Earl from the School of Communication and Design at RMIT Vietnam, together with Dr Lucy Gunn from Centre of Urban Research at RMIT Australia and Professor Melanie Davern, Director of Australia Urban Observatory , co-hosted the Age-friendly Smart Cities Workshop. This inspiring event brought together experts, researchers, and industry partners from Vietnam and Australia to explore how our cities can become smarter, more inclusive, and more age-friendly.

Introductory video message from Professor Trung Nguyen, Co-lead of the RMIT Vietnam APAC Smart and Sustainable Cities Hub Introductory video message from Professor Trung Nguyen, Co-lead of the RMIT Vietnam APAC Smart and Sustainable Cities Hub

The morning program opened with welcome remarks from Associate Professor Donna Cleveland, Dean of the School of Communication & Design, followed by an introductory video message from Professor Trung Nguyen, Co-lead of the RMIT Vietnam APAC Smart and Sustainable Cities Hub. Both speakers emphasized the importance of inclusive and liveable urban design for people of all ages.

Associate Professor Catherine Earl introduced the overview of project. Associate Professor Catherine Earl introduced the overview of project.

The workshop continued with an overview of the Age-friendly Smart Cities Project presented by Associate Professor Catherine Earl (RMIT Vietnam). Building on this foundation, Dr. Lucy Gunn (RMIT Australia) shared Australian case studies on designing liveable neighbourhoods that promote healthy ageing, while Professor Melanie Davern (RMIT Australia) introduced the Australian Urban Observatory and highlighted its role in measuring and understanding liveability across Australian cities.

Mr Kien Vu, Vice Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, then provided valuable insights into the challenges facing HCMC’s ageing population. The session continued with applied research presentations from RMIT Vietnam academics, including Dr Nguyen Thien Bao (School of Science, Engineering and Technology) on AI-enabled information services in hospitals, Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy (The Business School) on senior tourism, and Ms Kim Ha (School of Communication and Design) on sustainable universal design through recycled plastic.

Speakers and attendees reflected the key insights in the discussion. Speakers and attendees reflected the key insights in the discussion.

In the afternoon, academics from leading Vietnamese universities shared their perspectives on ageing and the built environment. Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Hong Xoan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCMC) discussed migration and ageing in Ho Chi Minh City and Dr Huynh Van Khang (Institute of Smart Cities, University of Economics HCMC) presented a case study on shaded spaces and older persons’ activities in tropical urban alleys. The day concluded with a dynamic discussion where speakers and attendees reflected on key insights, identified pressing policy challenges, and outlined next steps to support healthy and inclusive ageing in the city.

Age friendly smart cities workshop speakers and organizers

We are grateful to all speakers and participants whose contributions enriched the dialogue and strengthened our commitment to shaping age-friendly smart cities. This workshop marks an important step forward for the RMIT SSC Hub as we continue to foster dialogue and research that drive Vietnam’s sustainable and inclusive future.

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