1. Introduction

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development. In line with the New Urban Agenda, among other things, UN-Habitat seeks to assist cities in improving access and mobility through improvements in public transport such as BRT.

BRT systems are emerging as a viable solution in many cities that are facing the difficulties of traffic congestion. BRT can achieve high capacity and speed at relatively low cost by combining dedicated bus-lanes, off –board fare collection, platform level boarding and bus priority at intersections. BRT systems can be established with relatively smaller capital investments and more quickly than other urban transportation systems such as Metro and Light rail. To maximize its benefits and to achieve “last and first mile connectivity” BRT should be properly integrated with better facilities for walking and cycling.

2. Proposed Pre-feasibility assessment for a proposed BRT in Mwanza

Mwanza city is located on the southern shores of Lake Victoria in north-west Tanzania. The city spreads over 1,337km2 of which 71.55 km2 is water. Approximately 86.8 km2 is urbanized while the remaining areas consist of forested land, valleys, cultivated plains, grassy and undulating rocky hills. Mwanza is not only the most populous region, it also has the highest population density at 150 people per km2 the average for Tanzania being 39 people per km2, excluding Dar es Salaam Region. The high population density requires careful investments that will facilitate connectivity offering economic and social opportunities. Mwanza exemplifies the effects of urbanization on medium-sized cities which presents new opportunities for the application of modern urban planning which include an efficient public transport system.

This call for expressions of interest, invites governmental, inter-governmental organisations, universities, think-tanks, not-for-profit organisations, civil society organisations and academic institutions to collaborate with UN-Habitat in analysing a master plan developed for the city and providing a road map for BRT investments as part of the overall land use identified in the master plan document. The pre-feasibility assessment  will be carried out with the participation of all relevant stakeholders and the coordination of all the involved institutions, generating the necessary interinstitutional coordination and community participation for the project to succeed.

 Based on a critical review of the master plan, the key elements of the pre-feasibility study will include:

• Study of the proposed master plan to identify key features relevant for the design and operations of a BRT system.
• Survey of the public transport travel demand for one of the proposed BRT lines.
• Outline opportunities for transit-oriented-development (TOD) as part of the overall pre-feasibility study.
• Provide indicative cost estimates of BRT implementation and operational requirements.
• Give indicative investment possibilities for private property developers using successful case studies in the region and beyond.

The EOI should contain, but not be limited to the following:

• Overall background of the institution in the area of BRT planning;
• A concept note including background information and approach that will be applied to develop and implement the project;
• Experience of the organization in the areas of energy, waste resource management, and transportation and to include a portfolio of projects undertaken in similar areas;
• The support/ contribution the organization is willing to make including, cash and in kind; (contribution in terms of scholarships for student researchers staff time, office space and equipment and other support in cash and in-kind should be expressed in monetary terms) 
• Governance and organizational structure; experience and qualifications of key professional staff and infrastructure facilities of the organization;
• Certified true copy of original Audited Account Statement for the last two years; and            
• Latest annual report.

UN-Habitat Contribution

Upon selection UN-Habitat will enter into an Agreement of Cooperation with the selected entity. UN-Habitat will contribute financial resources to the tune of about $25,000 towards this Agreement of Cooperation.  

3. Overall Timeframe

The work outlined in this EOI is scheduled to commence in December 2019 and completed by to 30 March 2020.

4. Submission Requirements and Guidelines

Expression of Interest must be delivered in electronic format no later than 21-November-2019 to kennedy.kamau@un.org  copying elizabeth.makeba@un.org

5. Contact Information

Debashish Bhattacharjee

Lead, Urban Mobility

Urban Basic Services Branch

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

(UN-Habitat)

P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: 254-20-7625288; 7623668

Debashish.Bhattacharjee@unhabitat.org

6. Other

Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the Expressions of Interest/or solicitation process.

Submitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Cooperation Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Cooperation Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission, will receive the final solicitation document.