Uzbekistan : Integrated Urban Development Project
The proposed project will support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban infrastructure and services in four secondary cities (Djizzak, Havast, Khiva, and Yangiyer) experiencing low livability and lagging growth exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. It will demonstrate integrated and innovative solutions, and strengthen institutional capacity for "building back better". These measures will (i) enhance livability for residents and visitors, including persons with disabilities; (ii) support green and resilient economic recovery targeting women; (iii) accelerate digital transformation, particularly in the tourism and water sectors; and (iv) increase the quality, coverage, efficiency, and reliability of urban services. The project supports the government's national development strategy, 2022-2026, which aims to accelerate growth and reduce poverty through improved urbanization and balanced regional development.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Slangen, Ron H.
Central and West Asia Department
Request for information -
Approval Date
17 October 2022 -
Country/Economy
Uzbekistan -
Sector
- Water and other urban infrastructure and services
| Project Name | Integrated Urban Development Project | ||||||||
| Project Number | 54017-001 | ||||||||
| Country / Economy | Uzbekistan |
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| Project Status | Approved | ||||||||
| Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant Loan |
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| Source of Funding / Amount |
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| Operational Priorities | OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability OP4: Making cities more livable OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration |
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| Sector / Subsector | Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Other urban services - Urban policy, institutional and capacity development - Urban sanitation - Urban sewerage - Urban solid waste management - Urban water supply |
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| Gender | Effective gender mainstreaming | ||||||||
| Description | The proposed project will support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban infrastructure and services in four secondary cities (Djizzak, Havast, Khiva, and Yangiyer) experiencing low livability and lagging growth exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. It will demonstrate integrated and innovative solutions, and strengthen institutional capacity for "building back better". These measures will (i) enhance livability for residents and visitors, including persons with disabilities; (ii) support green and resilient economic recovery targeting women; (iii) accelerate digital transformation, particularly in the tourism and water sectors; and (iv) increase the quality, coverage, efficiency, and reliability of urban services. The project supports the government's national development strategy, 2022-2026, which aims to accelerate growth and reduce poverty through improved urbanization and balanced regional development. | ||||||||
| Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | Sector context and trends. Since Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, urbanization has lagged, leading to significant regional imbalances. More than half of the urban population is concentrated in its easternmost regions--around the capital city of Tashkent and in the Fergana Valley, an industrial center. Although a considerable share of the urban population lives in the largest cities, the fastest population increases have been in medium-sized cities with untapped potential for generating jobs. The lifting of internal mobility restrictions in 2020 and a significant youth bulge will continue to put pressure on the internal labor market and drive migration. To absorb this growth and provide livability, secondary cities must confront challenges of urban sprawl, polluted environments, degraded infrastructure, water insecurity, and the lingering economic impact of COVID-19, particularly on the poor and women. The project will demonstrate how urban planning concepts--embodying smart, green, resilient, inclusive urbanism--and integrated solutions can improve livability and economic competitiveness in secondary cities.????Government strategy. In 2019, the government issued Presidential Decree No. 5623 to support the integrated development of cities. In 2020, the government established the Department of Urbanization Policy Development under the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction to oversee its urban agenda. Reforms in the last three years include a new urban planning code requiring citizen participation, fiscal decentralization, and new agencies for public-private partnership, water supply, solid waste management (SWM), and cadaster. However, weak institutional capacity and coordination for strategic urban development remains a significant challenge for cities. To enhance coordination, the government appointed the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade (MIFT) as the focal agency to work with development partners in formulating integrated urban development projects that demonstrate international practices in sustainable urbanization for further replication.????Key issues in project cities. The three project regions of Djizzak, Sirdaryo, and Khorezm have historically ranked at the bottom nationally in terms of quality of life, economic competitiveness, and infrastructure development. Key issues facing the project cities include (i) an economic slowdown because of COVID-19 combined with a lack of economic diversity, unskilled workforce, and high unemployment, especially among women and youth; (ii) underinvestment in aging infrastructure leading to poor quality of water supply and sanitation (WSS) services with a lack of universal coverage and limited operation and maintenance (O&M); and (iii) a deficit of green, usable, and safe public spaces, especially for women and persons with disabilities. In Djizzak, high in-migration, inadequate basic services, and the poor quality of the urban environment contribute to low livability and imbalanced socioeconomic development. In Khiva, a 90% decrease in tourists because of COVID-19, a lack of visitor services, weak linkages with other "Silk Road" destinations, and disconnected tourism value chains prevent diversified, inclusive growth. In Havast, low-quality solid waste services, a lack of public spaces, and a young, unskilled workforce constrain competitiveness; and in Yangiyer, poor solid waste collection services inhibit livability.????Water supply services delivery in the project cities is constrained by intermittent supply (4-8 hours per day), low pressure, aging pipelines built 40-50 years ago, high nonrevenue water (NRW) estimated at 40%, and defective disinfection systems. These pose health risks, with a disproportionate impact on women and the poor. Sewerage and solid waste collection coverage are low in the four project cities. Sewerage coverage ranges from 13% to 37% while solid waste collection ranges from 41% to 91%, with no formalized recycling programs and limited public awareness in waste minimization. There is a need to upgrade Soviet-era infrastructure with modern solutions to improve efficiency, O&M, asset management, and to support water, sanitation, hygiene, and health (WASH+H) measures in communities to reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.????Institutional issues. A legacy of centralized governance left city hokimiyats (local governments) with technical, organizational, and financial capacity constraints, inhibiting their ability to effectively manage, plan, invest, and deliver services in an integrated manner. Utility operators operate with low efficiency, weak O&M, low revenues, outdated technology, poor financial and asset management, weak customer service, and limited knowledge of modern solutions and best practices. There is a need to professionalize their capacities in strategic planning and budgeting, operational efficiency, O&M, municipal finance, citizen participation (particularly women), high-level technology, and private sector cooperation, to ensure high-quality, responsive, and sustainable urban services delivery.????Climate change risks. Average temperatures are expected to increase by 2?C-3?C in the next 50 years in Uzbekistan. The project areas are vulnerable to more extreme and frequent heat waves particularly in the western provinces. Water scarcity is a significant risk linked to climate change that is expected to worsen and severely affect the country's urban water supplies. There is a need to improve the efficiency of water supply systems, expand water-saving technologies, and support green spaces to counteract the heat-island effect in urban areas.????Lessons. This is the first integrated urban development project of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Uzbekistan, as past projects focused separately on water supply, sanitation, or SWM. Key lessons from sector and country operations include (i) aligning with the government's reform agenda; (ii) supporting sustainability measures, including O&M and revenues; (iii) ensuring local participation; (iv) improving project readiness to avoid start-up delays; and (v) providing technical assistance (TA) for institutional support throughout the project period. ????Development partner coordination. ADB is closely coordinating with other partners in the urban sector, including the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Islamic Development Bank. The World Bank's ongoing Medium-Size Cities Integrated Urban Development Project supports strategic city investments and provides institutional support at the national level. ????Strategic relevance. The project is aligned with (i) the national development strategy, 2022-2026; (ii) updated national climate change strategies; (ii) ADB's country partnership strategy for Uzbekistan, 2019-2023; (iii) the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Tourism Strategy 2030; and (iv) the following operational priorities (OPs) of ADB's Strategy 2030: OP1--addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities; OP2--accelerating progress in gender equality; OP3--tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability; OP4--making cities more livable; OP6--strengthening governance and institutional capacity; and OP7--fostering regional cooperation and integration. The project is aligned with the overall goals of the Paris Agreement, through improved SWM to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improved water management to enhance water security, and greening of urban areas to adapt to more intense heatwaves. | ||||||||
| Impact | Sustainable urbanization and welfare of the urban population enhanced.?? | ||||||||
| Project Outcome | |
|---|---|
| Description of Outcome | Access to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban services in secondary cities enhanced.?? |
| Progress Toward Outcome | |
| Implementation Progress | |
| Description of Project Outputs | Inclusive municipal and tourist infrastructure and services provided.??Climate-resilient drinking water, sanitation, and solid waste services enhanced with smart systems.??Urban governance, institutional capacity, and livelihood support strengthened.?? |
| Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | |
| Geographical Location | Havas, Jizzakh, Khiva, Yangiyer |
| Safeguard Categories | |
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| Environment | B |
| Involuntary Resettlement | B |
| Indigenous Peoples | C |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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| Environmental Aspects | |
| Involuntary Resettlement | |
| Indigenous Peoples | |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| During Project Design | |
| During Project Implementation | |
| Responsible ADB Officer | Slangen, Ron H. |
| Responsible ADB Department | Central and West Asia Department |
| Responsible ADB Division | Urban Development and Water Division, CWRD |
| Executing Agencies |
Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade (MIFT) |
| Timetable | |
|---|---|
| Concept Clearance | 14 Jun 2021 |
| Fact Finding | 14 Feb 2022 to 25 Feb 2022 |
| MRM | 28 Jun 2022 |
| Approval | 17 Oct 2022 |
| Last Review Mission | - |
| Last PDS Update | 17 Oct 2022 |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
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| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Agreement (Ordinary Operations [Concessional]) for Loan 4230-UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project | Loan Agreement (Ordinary Resources) | Apr 2023 |
| Grant Agreement (Externally Financed) for Grant 0854-UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project | Grant Agreement | Apr 2023 |
| Project Agreement for Loan 4230-UZB and Grant 0854-UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project | Project/Program Agreements | Apr 2023 |
| Integrated Urban Development Project: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Oct 2022 |
| Integrated Urban Development Project: Gender Action Plan | Gender Action Plans | Sep 2022 |
| Integrated Urban Development Project: Project Administration Manual | Project/Program Administration Manual | Sep 2022 |
| Integrated Urban Development Project: Report and Recommendation of the President | Reports and Recommendations of the President | Sep 2022 |
| Integrated Urban Development Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Jun 2021 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
Tenders
| Tender Title | Type | Status | Posting Date | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loan 4230/Grant 0854-UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project [IUDP/HAV/SWM01] | Invitation for Bids | Active | ||
| Loan 4230/Grant 0854-UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project [IUDP-DJZ-WS02] | Invitation for Bids | Active | ||
| Loan 4230/Grant 0854-UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project [IUDP-DJZ-UR03] | Invitation for Bids | Active | ||
| Loan 4230/Grant 0854 UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project [IUDP-DJZ-UR02] | Invitation for Bids | Active | ||
| 54017-001 UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project (IUDP/DJZ/WS01) | Invitation for Bids | Closed | ||
| 54017-001 UZB: Integrated Urban Development Project (IUDP/HAV/UR01) | Invitation for Bids | Closed |
Contracts Awarded
No contracts awarded for this project were found
Procurement Plan
| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Urban Development Project: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Oct 2022 |