Work

Estimated built-up surface increase within water-related lowland screening areas in Vietnam from 2000 to 2025

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We estimate built-up surface increase within water-related lowlands across Vietnam using Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) estimates, Joint Research Centre surface-water history and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission terrain data accessed through Google Earth Engine. A 1 km equal-area grid supports reporting for 710 fixed districts over five five-year intervals from 2000 to 2025. Positive GHSL differences measure estimated surface increase rather than verified construction. National built-up stock rose from 2,943.50 to 5,681.95 km². In 2020–2025, the screened share reached 14.53%, and screened increase was 78.72% above 2015–2020. The Mekong River Delta contributed 78.24% of the national net rise in screened increase between these intervals. A historical-only water-screen sensitivity gave a 25.62 km² increase (+ 83.52%), supporting the direction of the latest change. Exact district-boundary weighting changed the latest screened amount by − 0.06 km². Dynamic World change showed modest agreement with GHSL increase (Spearman ρ = 0.312). A modelled 50-year river-flood benchmark showed stronger national correspondence (ρ = 0.845) than within the Mekong (ρ = 0.368). The findings identify districts for local hydrological and planning assessment. Estimated GHSL epochs, static screening and unknown co-location within grid cells limit interpretation as flood exposure.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-76246-w

Author: Anh Ton Pham

Institutions: Ritsumeikan University, The State Bank of Vietnam

Language: English

Topic: Flood Risk Assessment and Management

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690