| Project Detail |
The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support climate-resilient and balanced urban development in Bangladesh through (i) identification of strategic city regions with high growth potential and vulnerability to climate change impacts; (ii) preparation of holistic development plans for identified strategic city regions; and (iii) strengthening the institutional capacity of relevant authorities to build livable cities that are competitive, inclusive, sustainable, and climate and disaster resilient. The Government of Bangladesh requested the TA, which is consistent with the Eighth Five Year Plan, July 2020 - June 2025 and supports the country partnership strategy for Bangladesh, 2021 - 2025 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Project Name Strengthening Climate-Resilient Urban Development
Project Number 56094-001
Country / Economy Bangladesh
Project Status Approved
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6965-BAN: Strengthening Climate-Resilient Urban Development
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 750,000.00
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Sector / Subsector
Transport / Urban public transport
Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Other urban services - Urban flood protection - Urban policy, institutional and capacity development
Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Some gender elements
Description The knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will support climate-resilient and balanced urban development in Bangladesh through (i) identification of strategic city regions with high growth potential and vulnerability to climate change impacts; (ii) preparation of holistic development plans for identified strategic city regions; and (iii) strengthening the institutional capacity of relevant authorities to build livable cities that are competitive, inclusive, sustainable, and climate and disaster resilient. The Government of Bangladesh requested the TA, which is consistent with the Eighth Five Year Plan, July 2020 - June 2025 and supports the country partnership strategy for Bangladesh, 2021 - 2025 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
Urbanization challenge. Bangladesh is urbanizing rapidly, exacerbating challenges in a country that has one of the highest population densities in the world. In 2020, about 63 million people, or 38% of the total population of 170 million, lived in urban areas, with the urban population projected to reach 58% by 2050 if urban growth trends continue. Although rapid urbanization has improved economic productivity through agglomeration, it has fueled demand for basic urban infrastructure and services and placed severe strain on the natural environment. Moreover, the recent economic downturn caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has seriously affected livelihoods, especially for the poor and vulnerable in urban and peri-urban areas. Bangladesh urgently needs to take action to sustain economic growth and improve the living environment, especially in rapidly growing large cities, during the COVID-19 recovery era and beyond.
Disaster risk management and climate change. Bangladesh, considered the worlds largest delta, is a riverine country that is highly susceptible to climate-related and geophysical hazards because of its topography and geographic location. The land is low and flat, with more than half the country at an elevation of less than 6 meters above sea level. Bangladesh has been long exposed to numerous climatological (e.g., drought), hydrometeorological (e.g., cyclones, storm surges, and floods), and other geophysical (e.g., landslides and erosion) hazards. The countrys funnel-shaped southern coast also makes it susceptible to cyclones and storm surges, medium to high levels of soil salinity, and sea-level rise. Floods, waterlogging, and drainage congestion have become major problems in urban areas, where they cause widespread and lengthy disruptions of roads, power supply, and water supply.
Sector strategies and policies. The TA is aligned with the Eighth Five Year Plan, which lists sustainable and inclusive urban development as a national priority and sets objectives for urban development and strengthening good governance and management at the municipal level. Urban development objectives include improving disaster risk management and climate resilience of cities, and ensuring adequate, safe, and affordable basic urban infrastructure and services such as water supply, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, and transportation. The TA is also aligned with (i) Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, and (ii) Strategy for Governance Improvement of City Corporations, 2020 - 2030.
City region development. A "city region" is defined as an agglomeration of a large city (city corporation), surrounding pourashavas (secondary towns), and adjacent peri-urban areas (urban centers in upazilas [subdistricts]) with close economic and social links. The emergence of city regions is a growing reality in Bangladesh and provides an opportunity to deliver basic urban services more cost effectively and to a greater number of people. Through city region development, cities can become engines of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, whereby higher municipal revenues from improved urban services and economic growth and improved urban services from expanded public investment reinforce each other in a virtuous circle. City region development also contributes to improving livability in city regions by decongesting core cities and promoting inclusive economic growth through strategic planning, institutional development, and infrastructure investment that transcends restrictive administrative jurisdictions. Proper allocation of responsibilities and closer coordination among fragmented institutions in city regions and increased mobility within urban agglomerations are critical for city region development. Investment to improve city regions resilience to climate and disaster risks triggered by floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes is also essential.
Overview of previous city region development projects supported by
Impact
Growth potential and living environment in urban and peri-urban areas improved (Eighth Five Year Plan, July 2020June 2025: Promoting Prosperity and Fostering Inclusiveness)
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome
Climate-resilient, balanced, inclusive, and sustainable urban infrastructure in strategic city regions improved
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs
Strategic city regions with high growth potential and vulnerability to climate change impacts identified
Climate-resilient and balanced development plans for strategic city regions prepared
Capacity to develop innovative, sustainable, and climate- and disaster-resilient subprojects strengthened |
