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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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Bangladesh–Korea Twinning Program
Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea recently engaged in a twinning program to share knowledge and practices in their water supply sectors. ADB staff and experts from Korea Water (K-water) visited the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) to diagnose which areas to support under the twinning program. They agreed to identify water quality improvement and human resource management as target areas for support and improvement to realize results within the limited time frame. The establishment of the twinning program was supported by ADB's regional technical assistance 6396: Supporting Water Operators' Partnership Program in Asia. DWASA is currently implementing a loan and a piggy-backed technical assistance that support a range of reforms, institutional development, and capacity building of the urban water sector in Bangladesh. (Photo credit: ADB Water News)
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Ninth Meeting of SASEC Tourism Working Group Held in Delhi
The Tourism Working Group of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) held their 9th meeting in Delhi, India on 22–23 April to discuss the consultants' draft final report, project proposals, and exchange feedback from the participating countries. Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka heard expert views and shared relevant tourism practices in the region. During the discussions, the meeting participants endorsed the SASEC Tourism Development Roadmap that involves the development of interlinked multi-country circuits. Proposed subprojects under the roadmap were confirmed broadly, subject to further discussions and development. (Photo credit: SASEC) |
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City Cluster Development in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka
City Cluster Development (CCD) is an urban-led approach that takes advantages of economies of scale in a given urban region, which is spatially defined by the spheres of economic influence. Financed under the regional technical assistance 6337: Development Partnership Program for South Asia, ADB initiated the study to examine ways to foster cities' comparative advantages and competitiveness of industries by which urban development can induce economic growth with employment opportunities. The first roundtable meeting* on CCD was held on 14 July in Dhaka, Bangladesh; 16 July in Delhi, India; and 18 July in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The first roundtable focused on understanding the CCD concept, exploring key challenges in developing city clusters, and identifying data needs and sources. About 90 participants contributed to the discussions, and commonly appreciated the needs for long-term visions and steady and persistent execution of master plans with private sector participation. |
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Melamchi Water Supply—New Management Team
In February 2008, ADB's Board of Directors approved the restructuring of water supply projects in Melamchi/Kathmandu to provide lenient management arrangements that will increase efficiency. Upstream Melamchi water tunnel construction would be implemented by the existing implementing agency, Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, while the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the new water utility company in Kathmandu Valley, will take care of downstream water distribution and service management. Three KUKL managers—general manager, financial manager, and operational manager—were mobilized in mid-April and are applying interim measures* to ease severe water shortages until the Melamchi water tunnel could deliver sufficient volume of water across the Kathmandu |
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| SAUD in Learning: Urban Transportation |
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Sustainable Transport: Sourcebook for Policy-makers in Developing Cities*
The Sourcebook on sustainable urban transport addresses the key areas of a sustainable transport policy framework for developing cities. The Sourcebook consists of more than 25 modules, intended for policy makers in developing cities and their advisors. It provides policy tools appropriate for a range of developing cities. Several modules have since been updated and/or translated into several languages. The Sourcebook is published by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). See www.sutp.org/index.php?lang=en* to access the publication. Free registration is required. (Photo credit: GTZ) |
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Urban Bus Toolkit*
The Urban Bus Toolkit* offers tools and options for reforming bus systems. It is designed to help government officials and policy makers evaluate existing and alternative urban bus systems in developing and transitional countries. It offers practical advice to enact fundamental system reforms. The toolkit, funded by the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), is available on CD and can be downloaded from the PPIAF website*. (Photo credit: ADB) |
Urban Transport Training Series on Public Transport Planning and Regulation*
A public transport planning workshop led by the PPIAF has been making its rounds to provide broader training on sustainable transport planning and good practices on transport services. The workshop has been based on the success of the Urban Bus Toolkit*, a guide to introduce market-based reforms in urban bus systems. Topics such as bus industry reforms, designing networks and routes, financial planning, and cost analysis are discussed through lectures and one-on-one interactions among participants. The workshop in the Philippines has been co-organized by ADB, a member of PPIAF's program council. The facility provides grants to help governments explore public–private partnerships to expand and improve their infrastructure services.
Assessing the Transportation Consequences of Land Use Transformation in Urban China (2007)*
This paper* by Jiawen Yang and Ralph Gakenheimer examines the effects of urban land transformation in expanding Chinese cities on accessibility and mobility. Their study emphasizes that accessibility and mobility objectives are not adequately considered in land development, and often results in longer trips and increased congestion. The paper points out that a strong political leadership is the key in helping cities integrate transportation objectives into urban development. The article is published by Habitat International.
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Joint Urban and Transport Communities of Practice Presentation:
Sustainable Urban Design and Architecture
Enrique Peñalosa, former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia, shared his philosophy of sustainable urban design and architecture with ADB's urban and transport professionals. His presentation, Towards a More Socially and Environmentally Sustainable City, focused on "building a city for people, not for cars." Providing green spaces, plazas, pedestrian lanes, bike lanes, and public transportation were significant in creating sustainable cities. See photos and his presentation to ADB's Urban and Transport Communities of Practice on 4 Jun 2008. (Photo credit: ADB) |
2nd Urban CoP Quarterly Session: Love your car or love your city
James Leather, Urban Community of Practice Transport Leader, presented an overview of ADB's contribution to urban transport projects and current initiatives last 19 June at the ADB library. In line with the goal of achieving livable cities, ADB would look at interventions that provide pro-poor sustainable transportation. The cities' transport vision included the provision and integration of public transportation with non-motorized transportation, demand management, and giving space back to people. In his speech, he stated that "There is no natural level of car use. It is the government who explicitly or implicitly allow the number of cars." In supporting urban transportation projects, Mr. Leather emphasized that sidewalks are an integral component of public transport system, and should be considered in the planning process accordingly.
Water Community of Practice catchment series: Perspectives on Nonsovereign Lending in Urban Water Projects
Many of our nonsovereign clients are in the red, yet they need to invest in infrastructure to meet their service obligations. Anouj Mehta of ADB's South Asia Department shared insights from ongoing preparations of urban water projects at ADB headquarters last 23 May. ADB's readiness to provide nonsovereign lending and the capacity of nonsovereign clients to borrow were discussed with members of the urban community of practice, private sector department, and special initiative groups. A brief note on the Bank's nonsovereign lending activities in India provided additional background information. |
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| SAUD Staff News |
SAUD welcomes the following staff and interns who recently joined the Division.
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Norio Saito joined as Urban Development Specialist effective 8 May 2008. Mr. Saito, a national of Japan, obtained his Master of Environmental Management from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, USA in 1996, and his Bachelor of Science in Geography from University of Tokyo in Japan in 1992. He is a Certified Pollution Control Manager for Air Quality/Water Quality. Mr. Saito has more than 15 years of professional experience gained within the hierarchy of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the then Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund. Prior to joining ADB, he was Director of Division 2 of the Environment Analysis Department in JBIC. He was responsible for directing environmental and social safeguard reviews of proposed development assistance projects and helping develop policies on climate change issues. |
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Yuta Hashimoto, a national of Japan, is a Master's Degree student in Civil Engineering at University of Tokyo, Japan. As an intern assigned in SAUD, his research assignment from 15 July to 31 December 2008 covers the topic of "Analysis of Issues in Tariff Reform Processes in Case of North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment." |
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Masato Nakane, a national of Japan, is a Ph.D. student in Applied Economics at Cornell University, USA. As an intern assigned in SAUD, his assignment from 30 June to 29 August 2008 covers the topic of "Estimate the Cost of Conflicts in Sri Lanka". |
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ADB'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 send comments, suggestions or request for more information through saudenews@adb.org.
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