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SAUD News features hot topics and issues in urban development sector, updates on ADB projects, learnings from various projects relevant to the region, and knowledge sharing events organized by ADB.
| SAUD in Action |
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Supporting Inclusive Tourism Infrastructure Development in India
A $1 million technical assistance financed by Japan Special Fund starts off ADB’s first dedicated assistance on India’s tourism. ADB and Japanese Embassy representatives visited the Department of Economic Affairs on 03 March 2008 for the signing of the TA papers. Ms. Anuradha Thakur, Deputy Secretary, DEA signed the TA Letters on behalf of the Government of India. Mr. D. Suemitsu, First Secretary (Finance) from the Japanese Embassy; Mr. Narhari Rao, Officer In-charge of the ADB India Resident Mission, and Ms. Gulfer Cezayirli, ADB’s Principal Urban Development Specialist, Team Leader for TA 7014-IND were also present. The Assistance will formulate a road map for tourism infrastructure development that will identify priorities and potential investments for ADB in 2008.
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Assisting Nepal to Improve Water Supply and Services in Kathmandu
ADB has approved new terms for a project that will address water shortages in Kathmandu, Nepal. The project will build a 26-kilometer water diversion tunnel, develop a water treatment plant and bulk water distribution system that will supply 170 million liters of water daily from Melamchi River to Kathmandu Valley. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works is the executing agency, while Melamchi Water Supply Development Board will implement the project. Invitation for bids is open until 2 May 2008. |
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North Karnataka Urban Sector Improvement - Loan Agreement is Signed
The Board has approved Project I of NKUSIP on 26 January 2007 with Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) as the executing agency. Project I amounting to $33 million was recently signed under the multi-tranche financing facility for North Karnataka Urban Sector Improvement Project (NKUSIP) on 23 January 2008. The loan aims to provide improved urban infrastructure and services through an incentive framework that promotes private sector participation. Preparation of standard tender documents for goods and works by the loan’s component TA consultants - PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt Ltd (PwC) - are now underway. A draft final facility administration memorandum is being reviewed by KUIDFC. |
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Supporting Uttarakhand’s Urban Development
A $350 million loan to improve urban infrastructure and services will be provided to 31 towns and cities in Uttarakhand, a mountainous state north of India and one of the country’s top tourist spots. The Investment Program will reinforce developments in tourism and industry through enhancements in (i) solid waste management, (ii) quality and quantity of water supply, (iii) road network, and (iv) indigent community areas. An ongoing assistance has prepared the mechanics of the Multitranche Finance Facility (MFF) and performed activities to develop project management and implementation capacities of state agencies. The Urban Development Department (UDD) of the Uttarakhand Government is the executing agency of the Investment Program. The loan was approved by the Board on 24 January 2008. |
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ADB signs loan agreement for Rajasthan Urban Sector Development Investment Program
The $60 million Loan, No. 2366-IND: Rajasthan Urban Sector Development Investment Program - Project 1, will be invested for the living conditions and urban environment, and optimize social and economic development in 3 urban centers of Rajasthan. Mr. Tadashi Kondo, Country Director, India Resident Mission and Mr. Arvind Mayaram, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs of Ministry of Finance, India, signed the Loan agreement, on 17 January 2008. The project agreement was signed by Parvinder Singh Pawar, Principal Secretary, Urban Governance, and Government of Rajasthan. As a special feature, the bridging technical assistance for the project provided extra support for Urban Governance Department of Rajasthan, as the executing agency, to apply the clean development mechanism (CDM) for solid waste management subprojects. |
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| SAUD in Learning: Climate Change |
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Application of Clean Development Mechanism to Urban Infrastructure Subprojects in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, the integrated solid waste management (SWM) sub-projects under the Urban Sector Investment Program are assessed for utilizing the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The proposed SWM sub-projects will develop integrated compost plant and landfill facilities. Currently, solid waste is left in open dumps where it degrades anaerobically, and results in methane emissions being released to the atmosphere. Through aerobic composting, methane emissions are avoided leaving only carbon dioxide emissions. Methane is a very potent Green House Gas (GHG). Under the Kyoto Protocol, one ton of methane has the global warming potential equivalent to 21 tons of carbon dioxide. A preliminary analysis shows that SWM sub-projects in Rajasthan have the potential to reduce approximately 1.6 million tCO2e of GHGs over a 10-year crediting period. The potential value of these Emission Reductions (ERs) is estimated at approximately US$ 9.7 to 15 million. This represents over 70% of SWM total sub-project costs (Solid waste subproject cost of 15 program towns is US$11.3 million). In relation to CDM, ADB has a Carbon Market Initiative (CMI) that may provide technical support to eligible CDM projects funded by ADB. See www.adb.org/Clean-Energy/cmi.asp to read more about CDM and CMI.
Flexible Mechanisms for Climate Change Compliance: Emission Offset Purchases under the Clean Development Mechanism*
Christopher Carr and Flavia Rosembu provide an overview of recent developments on clean development mechanism – a specific type of offset program for climate change compliance. Their article gives a background on how CDM of the Kyoto Protocol works and investigates aspects of CDM purchase agreements from a legal perspective. They found out that "the international carbon market has shown how market-based mechanisms can muster capital to address global climate change and transfer climate-friendly technology to the developing world." Christopher Carr is co-head of the climate change practice group at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins and a former Senior Counsel at the World Bank. Flavia Rosembuj is a Senior Counsel at the World Bank. The article is published in NYU Environmental Law Journal, volume 16, 2008, number 1. Read it in full version*
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Clean Energy Applications in Asia and the Pacific
ADB presents 12 practical clean energy applications with brief descriptions of specific project pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Implementation barriers and issues are discussed, as well as measures to mitigate them. This publication summarizes the results and outcomes from the regional technical assistance on Promotion of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Greenhouse Gas Abatement (PREGA). |
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Small-Scale Clean Development Mechanism Project Handbook
The handbook offers basic information on how to identify, develop, and implement small-scale clean development mechanism projects. It allows readers to do a quick assessment of whether a project will qualify for an SSC CDM investment and suggests financial options and partnering opportunities to cover the SSC CDM project costs. This handbook was updated in 2006 by Sushila Maharjan and Annie Idanan (Asian Development Bank) from an original handbook prepared by Mathew Mendis and Andrew Keck (Internal Resources Group) and Pradeep Tharakan (consultant, Internal Resources Group) in 2003. Copies of the publication are available at ADB’s Public Information Center. |
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Energy Efficiency & Climate Change Considerations for On-road Transport in Asia
ADB presents a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between transport sector and climate change, and the future of greenhouse gas (GhG) emission under various scenarios for India, China, and Asia in general. One of the key points in the report is that "the greatest GhG reductions can be reduced in the medium- to long-term by integrating land use planning with urban transport planning to improve access to goods and services while minimizing the need to travel." Switching to fuels with low carbon footprint considering life cycle costs and improving fuel efficiency of in existing vehicles are also recommended. The report aims to help inform and guide policymakers and stakeholders in the development of policies and action plans on fuel consumption efficiency and urban transport planning. |
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| SAUD Events |
Presentation: "Two Years of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)"
4 April, India Resident Mission
Gulfer Cezayirli (ADB) and Kaustabh Basu (TA Consultant) discussed the JNNURM assistance and its status after two years of implementation. Progress on infrastructure development and reform implementation were presented. They also identified possible opportunities for future collaboration with JNNURM that were discussed through a video conference with ADB staff at the Manila headquarters. See the presentation |
Presentation: "Public-private partnerships for infrastructure development in India" *
3 April, Manila
Arvind Mayaram, Joint Secretary, India's Department of Economic Affairs, discussed the framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in India, its progress, reform agenda, and the role of multilateral development banks (MDBs) including ADB. Financing schemes to usher PPP investments and to support project development were presented. Capacity building activities in support of PPP as well as an online database on PPP in India were also described. The possible support from multilateral development banks can be used for demonstration/model projects, standardization of documents, further capacity building activities, and enhancing credit ratings of special project vehicles. |
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Urban Community of Practice: The 1stQuarterly Session Clustered City Development Initiative-"Filling the Gap or Leading the Growth"
Clustered Cities Development (CCD) is an emerging approach that cities and towns can use to advance their economic and social development. British Columbia University professor Aprodicio Laquian presented a Flagship study on CCD: Toward an Urban-Led Development Strategy. The Flagship Study has evaluated (i) the progress of CCD and its adoption in Asia, (ii) a strategic framework on its application, and (iii) strategies for ADB to promote CCD among its developing member countries.
The Urban CoP discussed the implications of CCD for urban sector operations. Potential CCD applications identified during the discussion were, for example, (i) Nepal’s examination of possibly connections of landlocked countries to seaports, and (ii) ADB providing seed money to complement JNNURM funds that will develop a conceptual framework for long-term urban development. The efficient provision of urban infrastructure and services coupled with innovative financing modalities are among its recommendations. CCD would need a strong leadership and institutional support to optimize results. Read the summary of the document here. |
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| SAUD Staff News |
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ADB and Korea’s K-Water Sign Memorandum of Understanding
K Water agreed to be an 'Expert twin' and provide assistance to Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) under the twinning program of the Water Operators' Partnership regional technical assistance (RETA). South Asia Department’s (SARD) KyeongAe Choe led the consultation mission and signed the memorandum of agreement in behalf of Asian Development Bank. The RETA is being administered by Southeast Asia Department’s Social Sectors Division in collaboration with SARD and Central and West Asia Department. A brief note on twinning provides the benefits of Twinning for both ‘Expert and Recipient’ twins. To receive such benefits, water utilities or cities water works should subscribe Membership of South Asia Water Utility Network (SAWUN). |
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Bhutan Introduces Policies to Support Urban Infrastructure Development
Recent policies on land administration and local governance in Bhutan can potentially affect the flow of investments on urban infrastructure and sub-sovereign development. Aurora Fe Ables, Project Coordinator and Knowledge Management Specialist (Consultant), provides a brief overview on land pooling, the Thromde Act of 2007, and their implications on ADB’s current urban infrastructure investment. Read the article |
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You have received this electronic newsletter because of your registered interest in urban development issues in South Asia. To be removed from all future emails, please click here.
Asian Development Bank's South Asia Urban Development (SAUD) Division publishes this e-Newsletter to provide current information to relevant government institutions, executing/implementing agencies, partner development organizations and other stakeholders. SAUD News is issued periodically and features hot topics and issues in urban development sector, updates on ADB projects, learnings from various projects relevant to the region, and knowledge sharing events organized by ADB.
You may address you comments, suggestions or request for more information to SAUD director Hun Kim (hunkim@adb.org) and KyeongAe Choe (kchoe@adb.org), Principal Urban Development Specialist.
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Disclaimer: The Asian Development Bank provides the information contained in this newsletter and links to its web site solely as a resource. While ADB tries to provide high-quality content on its web site, it does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of this information; and therefore, will not be liable in any capacity for damages or losses to the user that may result from the use of this information. ADB and its affiliate offices, likewise, will not be responsible for any errors, omissions, or inadvertent alterations that may occur in the disclosure of content in this newsletter or on its web site.
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