Vietnam Projects
Rapid Planning
Since 2003, UN-Habitat has worked directly with national government partners and over 50 local government units—with a special focus on localization of global development frameworks (e.g. MDGs, SDGs, New Urban Agenda), urban planning and design, community-based shelter recovery, slum upgrading, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster prevention and response. Guided by and operationalizing UN-Habitat’s global mandate, the country office supports the government in realizing the Philippine Development Plan, with a focus on the National Urban Policy, the New Urban Agenda, and the National Urban Development and Housing Framework. As a member of the UN Country Team in the Philippines, it is committed to implementing the Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development (i.e. UNDAF).
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
Philippine cities are facing unprecedented demographic, environmental, economic, social and spatial challenges. There has been a phenomenal shift towards urbanization, with 5 out of every 10 Filipinos living in cities, with an estimated 84 percent of Filipinos expected to reside in urban areas by 2050. This growth is expected to happen not only in the capital Metro Manila but mainly in small and intermediate cities. The consequences of this rapid urbanization are dramatic.
In many big and small cities in the Philippines, the effects can already be felt: lack of the vulnerable and poor’s access to land and proper housing, growth of slums, inadequate and outdated infrastructure, urban sprawl, families facing poverty and unemployment, safety and crime problems, pollution and health issues, as well as the impacts of natural or man-made disasters and other catastrophes due to the effects of climate change or man-made stressors such as conflict. UN-Habitat recognizes that urbanization is an opportunity to address these effects and leave nobody behind.
Donors and partners
The success of UN-Habitat’s work in the Philippines relies heavily on partnerships with key national government agencies and local authorities. To deliver impactful work in the country—from influencing policy, post-disaster shelter recovery, climate action planning, developing mitigation strategies, post-conflict community building, to facilitating security and safety in neighborhoods—UN-Habitat brings its expertise in global sustainable urbanization approaches while, in equal measure, leveraging the experience and technical proficiencies of its partners. UN-Habitat also depends on a diverse network comprised of civil society organizations, the private sector, the academe, and other urban actors to facilitate custom urban solutions that, albeit resonant in local contexts, can significantly inform national, regional, and global views on addressing urban issues that affect us all.
Contact
Christopher E. Rollo
Habitat Programme Manager
UN-Habitat Philippines
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 869,370
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 7 projects
- Main donors: The main donors to UN-HABITAT’s projects in the Philippines are Multi Donor Group Fund – Spain, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Instituto de Promocion y Apoyo al Desarrollo (IPADE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Saggitarius Mines, Inc. and BASF Social Foundation.
- Implementing partners: The main UN-HABITAT partners for project execution in the Philippines are local government agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), local NGOs, Action Groups. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also been a partner.
UN-Habitat has been working in the Philippines on post-disaster (Typhoon Ketsana) reconstruction and rehabilitation as well as on other urban issues like capacity building, slum prevention/upgrading and water/sanitation services.
General information
Capital: Manila
Major cities: Major Philippine cities are Manila City, Quezon City, Budta, Davao, Malingao, Cebu City, General Santos, Taguig, Pasig, Antipolo.
- Population: 96.71 million
- GDP US$: 250.2 billion
- GDP growth rate at constant 2005 prices (annual %): 3.7%
- Urban population: 49.1%
- Population growth rate (average annual %): 1.7%
- Urban population growth rate (average annual %): 2.2%
- Rural population growth rate (average annual %): 1.2%
Source: World Bank 2012 and UN-data 2013
UN-Habitat projects in the Philippines
Family-Based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums (FACES)
- Duration: May 2008 - December 2008
- Value: US$ 40,000
- Donor: Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Strengthening Philippine City Capacities to Address Climate Change Impacts
In this project, UN-Habitat showcases a climate change resilient human settlements in Sorsogon City. Sharing of knowledge and good practices/learnings on climate change mitigation and adaptation will also be the primary focus of this project to build the foundation for increasing Philippine City capacities in addressing climate change impacts.
- Duration: January 2009 - December 2012
- Value: US$ 550,000
- Donor: Multi Donor Group Fund (MDGF)
- Implementing partners: National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Joint Country Programme on Water and Sanitation in the Philippines
The overarching development goal of this UN-Habitat and IPADE Joint Country Programme on water and sanitation is to realize sustainable human settlements development in selected rural/small town ecologically sensitive zones through improved local capacities to develop and implement programmes and projects on improving access to clean water, basic sanitation and solid waste management.
- Duration: June 2009 - December 2010
- Value: US$ 88,647
- Donor: Instituto de Promocion y Apoyo al Desarrollo (IPADE)
- Implementing partners: ALTERDEV Services Foundation, Artists' Quarters (AQ), Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD), Institute for Social Order (ISO), Coastal CORE
Transitory Shelter Project for the Affected Families of Typhoon Ketsana
This project seeks to alleviate the living conditions of 30 families in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City who are some of the many families who are adversely affected by the flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana. The assistance will consist of provision of transitory housing while they plan and negotiate with the village and city governments and other stakeholders for a permanent and sustainable solution to their land tenure and housing problems.
- Duration: November 2009 - December 2010
- Value: US$ 20,833
- Donor: Sagittarius Mines, Inc.
- Implementing partners: Homeless People's Federation of the Philippines
Permanent Shelter Project for the Affected Families of Typhoon Ketsana
This project is located in Manila. This project seeks to alleviate the living conditions of 28 families in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, who are some of the many families adversely affected by the flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana. The assistance will consist of provision of permanent housing and livelihoods/skills training for 28 families who are to be resettled in the existing 3 hectare resettlement site owned by the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal under a usufruct agreement.
- Duration: June 2010 - October 2010
- Value: US$ 36,630
- Donor: BASF Social Foundation
Building Normative/Operational Coordination Arrangements in the Asia/Pacific Region
This project is located in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines and Fiji. ROAP's ENOF was designed to facilitate regular dissemination of global norms and frameworks to regional/country partners and, through enhanced knowledge management arrangements to capture operational good practices and ensure these are shared locally, nationally, regionally and globally.
This project is the first of 5 projects implemented to fulfill ROAP's ENOF, and will enable ROAP and its country/regional partners to benefit from knowledge and expertise available from key Headquarter Branches and Global/Inter-Regional Programmes, through ROAP coordinated missions to Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Pacific.
Branch staff travel to the selected countries (through a maximum of 2 missions each) to share global norms and programmatic support opportunities with national partners in support of HABITAT Programme Manager (HPM) efforts to mainstream sustainable urbanization norms and practices into UNDAF's and One UN Country Action Plans, or under Mid-Term Review and strengthen future implementation.
- Duration: July 2010 - December 2011
- Value: US$ 33,260
- Donor: UN-HABITAT
UN-Habitat Support to Asia Development Bank (ADB) City Development Initiative for Asian Cities
This Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA)/UN-Habitat project aims to: Bridge the gap between City Development Strategies and prioritised project Feasibility Studies through better project prioritisation and the preparation of fast-track Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS) that will kick-start the development of the more detailed feasibility studies and capital investment packages; Build the capacities of National Partner Organisations (NPOs) to support cities in the preparation of these PFS, and; Better mobilise domestic, international, public and/or private financing so that PFS and FS have better chance of successful financing.]
- Duration: January 2011 - March 2012
- Value: US$ 100,000
- Donor: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Implementing partners: Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC)-Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Philippines, Local Government Academy (LGA)-Philippines, Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21), Mayore Chapter, Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI), Sevanatha and Marrg
In India, UN-Habitat is devising an integrated and demand-driven approach that combines refining urban planning and design frameworks, providing infrastructure upgrading policy and technical guidance, implementing pilot projects for learning-by-doing, and mainstreaming innovations through testing technology solutions to transform India’s urban landscape. UN-Habitat interventions are focused under following broad pillars -
- Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Cities and Regions: Improved policy frameworks focused on inclusive planning and sustainable development through effective and participatory planning instruments at the city and regional scale.
- Affordable, Green, and Resilient Housing Environment: Design tools and mechanisms to promote social housing with a focus on energy efficiency and effective waste management strategies.
- Promote Safe, Well Planned and Serviced Neighborhoods: Promote secure and safe livelihoods to enable sustained economic and social mobility. Integrate smart technology and participatory models to improve service delivery for all at the neighborhood scale.
- Accountable and Efficient Urban Governance: Strengthen planning, financing, service delivery and monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustained universal access to basic services and resilient livelihoods.
- Knowledge Systematization and Learning: Develop capacities and share technical expertise to empower local city authorities to effectively and efficiently mainstream SDG-11 and its linkages in the national and local urban agenda the needs and expectations of citizens.
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
India has one of the largest urban populations in the world, consisting of more than 377 million spread across 6,166 metropolises/ urban towns out of a total 7,935 towns in the country according to the 2011 Census. By 2030, more than half of India’s population will be living in cities, and the number of megacities will increase from five to seven or more. Additionally, the United Nations estimate that much of the population increase in India between 2015 and 2030 will take place in urban areas which will add around 164 million people to its urban base.
India is at a critical moment where it can preserve and build on the reforms and economic gains, however, it requires substantial capacity and handholding support to strengthen institutional structures at the local level. Need to equip local governments/ utilities with necessary tools to successfully translate governance principles to a local level so as to leapfrog towards a sustainable and inclusive urbanization as well as positioning India at regional and global level.
Donors and partners
UN-Habitat India is working closely with its key partners, i.e., national governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and private sector organizations to strengthen its catalytic role in the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The ultimate objective is to increase the number of partners and networks engaged in supporting the implementation of the sustainable urbanization agenda at the national and sub-national levels in India through policy, advocacy and institutional capacity building. Therefore, strategic partnerships is mainstreamed as a key enabler across all five focus areas of the strategic plan.
Contact
Country Programme Manager
UN-Habitat India
3rd floor, HUDCO House, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003, India
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2015): US$ 808,851
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2015): 6 projects
- Main donors: BASF Social Foundation, Germany and United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). The government of India is also the donor for the UN-Habitat Information and Dissemination Office in Chennai, India.
- Implementing partners: UN-Habitat has worked in India with the District Administration and Municipal Council of Cuddalore, and with NGOs in the field of water and sanitation, disabilities and gender empowerment.
General information
Capital: New Delhi
Major cities: The major cities of India are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur.
- Population (billion): 1.237
- GDP: US$ 1.842
- GDP growth at constant 2005 prices: 6.9%
- Urban population: 31.6%
- Population growth rate (average annual %): 1.3%
- Urban population growth rate (average annual %): 2.5%
- Rural population growth rate (average annual %): 0.8%
Source: UN-data 2013
UN-Habitat’s projects in India have been mainly focusing on in urban basic services,in different states. But the Agency decided in 2015 to resume cooperation with the Government of India and to promote a new era of partnership. A Senior Officer has been appointed to India mid-2015. Full support to position the Government vis-à-vis the Habitat-III process and the new Urban SDG has been provided. A global MoU will soon be signed with the Government, in which a National Office in New Delhi -- in lieu of the Chennai office whose functions were only for information/communication -- would be supported by the central government. New areas of technical cooperation will include Housing, Urban Development, Slum Upgrading and Prevention, Urban Employment and Urban Poverty Alleviation. The Agency is now associated with key flagship Programmes such as Smart Cities Mission and Housing for All. Cooperation agreements could be signed in terms of building data for cities, urban planning for city leaders, ‘in-situ’ slum redevelopment, etc.
UN-Habitat projects in India
Public Space in M Ward, Mumbai
This project is located in M Ward - a densley populated area with minimal public spaces in Mumbai. The site is a neglected public space that serves 200,000 people. The project involves upgrading and renovating the garden with lanscaping, new play and exercise equipment, provision of water and fencing.
Project Duration: 2014 - 2015
Value USD: 100,000
Donor: Mojang
Implementing Partners: Mumbai Environmental Social Network (MESN), Mumbai Metropolitan Corporation (MMC)
Gautam Nagar, Mumbai, India
Gautam Nagar is a major Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) colony in North Govandi, Mumbai. It houses people who have been displaced by major infrastructure development projects in Mumbai. Existing open areas between and around the buildings, including the main streets lined with shops, are considered public space but are currently serving as household garbage dumps. The project will establish a joint public-private accountability system for management and maintenance of public spaces and public infrastructure in R&R colonies; develop the capacity of local institutions in financial and operational management and maintenance; establish a stronger sense of ownership among residents for shared spaces and facilities; and thus improve the state of health and hygiene in R&R colonies. It will also upgrading existing public spaces and amenities to adequately serve the recreational, social, environmental and economic needs of the residents and upgrade the design standards of R&R colonies.
Project Duration: 2015 - ongoing
Value USD: 100,000
Donor: Mojang
Implementing Partners: Mumbai Environmental Social Network (MESN), Mumbai Metropolitan Corporation (MMC)
Developing high quality public spaces in Pune
Pune, the ninth largest city in India, has experienced extremely rapid industrial and economic growth and a large migration-led population increase during the past decade. Due to lack of adequate spaces to carry out their work, waste collectors often sort the waste in public spaces such as streets, sidewalks and squares. This project seeks to develop high quality public spaces around the waste sorting centres and collection points as well as formalize procedures for public space maintenance.
Project Duration: 2015 - ongoing
Value USD: 21,000
Implementing Partners: Pune Municipal Corporation and, Seva Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit (SWaCH), a grassroots waste picker organisation
Public Space
One public space pilot site was completed in Lotus Gardens, Mumbai in 2014. Two additional sites have been selected, one in Mumbai and another in Pune. UN-Habitat is also in discussion with UNESCO and the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana in India to work on select public space sites. Additional work in India has resulted in the development of a Concept Note for 100 Smart Cities in India, and another on Planning Vulnerable Cities in India. In Delhi, a River front development project is under consideration. Further, there are on-going discussions with GEF and UNIDO to collaborate on developing planning tools and instruments for sustainable urban development.
Project Duration: 2016
Value USD: 100,000 per site
Donor: Mojang
Implementing Partners: MESN
Urban Youth Fund in India
In India, the India window of the Urban Youth Fund was set up in partnership with the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (NSF). A total of 15 youth-led organizations have been provided with funds to undertake youth-led activities. A monitoring and evaluation exercise was undertaken in all the project activity areas. In 2014, NSF granted additional funding to five youth organizations to carry out youth-led development activities in their communities. These new organizations have undergone project management training.
- Duration: April 2012 – April 2016
- Donor: Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, India
- Value: USD315,000
- Implementing partners: Narotam Sekhsria Foundation, 15 youth-led organizations
Promoting Urban Low Emission Development Strategies (Urban LEDS)
The project was initiated to support innovative strategies in addressing the urban dimension of climate change in cities in emerging economies. The objective of the Project was to enhance the transition to low emission urban development. In India, it supported two Model Cities, Rajkot and Thane, and to a lesser extent the six Satellite Cities of Coimbatore, Gwalior, Nagpur, Panaji, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Shimla, in their transition to climate friendly low carbon development. The project supported the cities in developing LEDS strategies, various training activities were undertaken in the cities on innovative tools for climate change planning, and Thane and Rajkot completed GHG inventories. In Panaji, UN-Habitat created synergies with its urban planning work and helped integrate the climate change strategy within the urban development plan.
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1 March 2012 – 31 March 2016
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Value :€ 6.700.000 (Multi-country)
- Donor:European Commission
- Implementing Partners:National government, respective local governments, ICLEI
- For more information,please click here.
State of the Region's Cities Reports Series
- January 2015 – July 2017
- Value: US$ 100,000
Post-Tsunami Water and Sanitation Reconstruction in Cuddalore, India
This project is located in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is to assist Tsunami affected families in 7 settlements that do not have access to safe drinking water and sanitation in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu, India. The project assists up to 10,000 people, including children, women, men and up to 2,000 people with disabilities gain access to improved sources of water supply and sanitation.
- December 2008 - December 2012
- Value: US$ 296,584
- Donor: BASF Social Foundation
- Implementing partners: District Administration and Municipal Council of Cuddalore, and NGOs in the field of water and sanitation, disabilities and gender empowerment
Water and Sanitation Trust Fund - BASF Social Foundation
BASF Social Foundation Contribution for WATSAN education in Mangalore, India.
- January 2011 - December 2012
- Value: US$ 195,659
- Donor: BASF Social Foundation
Standardised tools and methodologies for safer schools and hospitals
This project covered India, Nepal and Pakistan. With a view to contribute to localizing Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), as requested by UNISDR Asia-Pacific Secretariat, under the World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR), UN-Habitat Bangkok, a sub-office to ROAP, a standardized Tool Kit, which facilitates assessment of the safety of critical infrastructure, focusing on schools and hospitals in South Asia was developed. The Tools provides a concrete set of recommendations for those local authorities, which have signed up for the Resilient Cities Campaign.
- October 2011 - March 2012
- Value: US$ 26,667
- Donor: United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
- UNISDR, Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC), Donors, UNESCO Pakistan, UNDP India, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Enabling Access of Koshi Flood Affected People to Water and Sanitation Facilities in Bihar-India and Sunsari District - Nepal
The location of this project is Madhepura District of Bihar in India and Sunsari District in Nepal. The project assisted flood affected families with access to safe drinking water and sanitation, after a breach that occurred in the eastern embankment of a barrage constructed to regulate the flow of Koshi River on 18 August 2008, affecting 3,345,545 people in about 3,000sq km of land in Bihar (India) and Sunsari (Nepal).
- December 2009 - December 2012
- Value: US$ 72,500
- Donor: BASF Social Foundation, Germany
UN-Habitat Information and Dissemination Office, India
The UN-Habitat Information and Dissemination Office was located in Chennai, India until December 2015. The objective of the Chennai Office in India was to provide support to the dissemination of UN-Habitat publications in India, raise awareness of urban issues in India through organization of World Habitat Day events, maintain a list of partners in India to support marketing and increased participation of Indian partners in UN-Habitat's key events, and improve knowledge exchange through the library maintained by the office.
- January 2010 - December 2015
- Value: US$ 117,441
- Donor: Government of India
Images
Image
Educating women on composting, Siddhipur, India. © UN-Habitat
Myanmar
Overview
UN-Habitat has been supporting the People and the Government of the Union of Myanmar since the early 1990s through operational and normative projects. UN-Habitat’s key thematic areas of engagements range from Advocating on policy and strategy development, Urban Planning and Management, Land Administration and Management, Improving human settlements and Rebuilding communities, Urban Research and Poverty Reduction, Disaster risk management and Environment, Building Resilience and Climate Change.
Overview
Due to the recent economic and political liberalization in Myanmar, the rate of urbanization majorly in the two urban agglomerations Yangon and Mandalay are expected to increase from 15.4 million (30% of the total population) in 2014 to 18.8 million to 2030. This poses economic and spatial development challenges such as solid waste management, informal settlements sprawling, traffic management that stand at a crucial period and negligence on this aspect of Urban Development can increase and worsen the challenges of urbanization for the future.
These challenges include, the rapid growth of a number of informal settlements due to the prolonged undersupply of housing, loosely bound urban legislation and administrative framework, need for improved land management, improper management, and provision of municipal services, intensified environment, and climate change issues.
In order to answer these challenges of urbanization and to capitalize on its opportunities, UN-Habitat assists and engages with a range of ministries to support Myanmar in overcoming and planning for a sustainable and inclusive future for all through urban policy and planning that reaches beyond the traditional city- scale.
Urban numbers
34% of Yangon’s population of 5.2 million are living below the poverty line.
In Yangon, 423 informal settlements with a total estimated population of 365,000 or 6-8% of the city’s total population.
Urban Population of Myanmar expected to rise from 15.4 million in 2014 to 18.8 in 2030.
Donors and partners
UN-Habitat is providing technical assistance on issues related to the Habitat Agenda to its partners in Myanmar including the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. Reports are presented to line Ministries and Departments on monthly basis, and attendance to meetings at General Administrative Department Offices, both at township and regional level.
Donors
United States of America
United Nations Office for Project Services
UNDP (incl. one UN fund)
Sweden
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Plan International
Japan
Asian Development Bank
Action Aid
Contact
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 25,966,677
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 18 projects
- Main donors: USAID, the Government of Norway and the Government of Japan
- Implementing partners: government ministries and community development councils; local and international NGOs such as IFRC; other UN agencies such as UNDP and UNICEF
UN-Habitat established a presence in Myanmar in the early 1990’s through 2004 during which time the agency pioneered the “People’s Process” by establishing the first community led projects in the Dry Zone, Shan State and the Delta. The agency also extended substantive assistance for the design of the Human Development Initiative (HDI) for UNDP and has partnered in implementation of HDI 1, HDI 2 and HDI 3.
General information
Today UN-Habitat continues to implement several normative and operational activities focusing on four thematic areas:
- Participatory urban planning, management and governance
- Pro-poor land, housing, and tenure
- Improving human settlements and enabling seamless recovery
- Environment, DRR and climate change. Myanmar, with the installation of the new government in 2011, is undergoing rapid transformation, providing tremendous hope for economic development among its citizen. The central government is making serious attempts to reduce poverty, initiate inclusive rural development and to address the impending urbanization of the country
UN-Habitat is currently supporting the Government of the Union of Myanmar through operational and normative projects and it has activities in several townships across the country. In 2012 and 2013, UN-Habitat intensified its support in normative areas through technical assistance to several ministries and stakeholders in policy and strategy development and training in the areas of Urban Planning and Management, National Building Codes Development, Urban/Land Use Planning Guidelines, City Development Strategy, Training and Capacity Building, National Housing Policy Formulation, Land Administration and Management, Urban Research and Poverty Reduction, Disaster Management Training Center, State of the Environment Report, Long Term Restoration and Conservation Plan of Inlay Lake, and Myanmar Climate Change Alliance Project. To date UN-Habitat has over 250 staff, both international and national.
Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia (676,577 square kilometers). The country’s population is estimated at 61.1 million (2012). A comprehensive Myanmar Population and Housing census is planned for March 2014 – the first census in 30 years.
Myanmar has maintained GDP growth at around 5 percent annually in recent years and has seen improving trends in poverty-related indicators. The country has further growth potential, with its rich variety of natural resources, a rich and diversified agricultural base and open access to sea. Favorably located between South and East Asia, Myanmar has access to the fast growing economies of China and India, together with access to ASEAN countries.
Myanmar is one of the least developed countries in Asia, but it stands on the threshold of fundamental political, economic and social change. Despite economic growth, issues of equity and poverty continue to be of principal concern. While there are encouraging trends in terms of poverty reduction, the country remains well behind its neighbors in the region – ranking 149 out of 168 on the Human Development Index (UNDP, 2011. Human Development Report. Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All. New York).
Myanmar is divided into seven states and seven regions and a capital region. In the plains are the regions of Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, and Yangon, where the majority of the population is of Bamar ethnicity. The states of Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan are located in the upland areas and are largely populated by non-Bamar ethnic groups.
Each state and region is diverse in terms of its people, languages and culture. Ethnic and sectarian conflicts have flared up from time to time in some regions. As part of the reform, a peace process has been underway in an attempt to resolve these issues and its cause.
Due to its geophysical location, Myanmar is prone to range of natural hazards as well as long term climate change impacts. While natural hazards are part of environment, disaster risks are intrinsically linked to development. Myanmar ranks among one of the high risk countries to natural hazards due to degree of vulnerability to natural hazards.
Impacts of climate change are already being felt in terms of changes in weather patterns and in future it may exacerbate disaster risks. Cyclone Nargis (2008) was the worst natural disaster in the history of Myanmar, and the most devastating cyclone to strike Asia since 1991. Some 2.4 million people were severely affected by the cyclone; in addition to the tragic loss of life, an estimated 138,000 people were killed.
Contacts
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
No.6, Natmauk Road
Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: (95-1) 542 910 – 919 Ext. 104
Fax: (95-1) 544 531, 545 634, 430 628
Email: un.habitat.mya@gmail.com
desk@unhabitat-mya.org
Cambodia
Overview
UN-Habitat has supported Cambodia’s national government, provincial governments, city authorities and people since 1996 to reduce inequality, promote living standards of vulnerable communities, facilitate and empower communities to improve living conditions and early recovery for disaster effected communities. UN-Habitat’s technical assistance in Cambodia includes water and sanitation, affordable housing, disaster risk reduction, slum upgrading and urban poverty reduction, urban planning and management, urban climate change adaptation and mitigation. diverse areas responding to country’s emerging needs ranging from, urban knowledge generation, municipal finance, urban poverty alleviation, community-based infrastructure, environment improvement, climate change and rehabilitation and reconstruction etc.
Overview
Urbanization in Cambodia has been largely unplanned and unregulated. With 1.5% population growth at national level and high urban growth rate such as 5% in capital Phnom Penh create many socio- economic, environmental and governance challenges to cities. The situation has led to rising concerns over the current capacity of infrastructure and public service to meet growing political, social and economic demand.
Despite the existence of the Phnom Penh Master Plan 2035, and many other national and sub-national laws, frameworks, and plans, capacity gaps in the cities on managing urbanization has become one of the priority areas for coming years if Cambodia to graduate to middle income level.
Urban numbers
Urban poverty rate is 9.5 percent which contributes to many social and economic challenges for city authorities
Household with lower incomes experienced greater difficulty securing affordable and safe housing
Around 8.4 percent of urban dwellers in cities deprived from adequate access to sanitation
Donors and partners
In Cambodia, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC) is the Government focal Ministry to UN-Habitat. UN-Habitat Country Manager is a member of the United Nations Country Team and various Technical Working Groups related to land and urbanization, including Humanitarian Response Forum and Shelter Working Group. UN-Habitat in Cambodia has partnerships local authorities and NGOs.
Donors
UNDP (incl. one UN fund)
Malteser International
Coca Cola Southeast Asia Inc.
Asian Development Bank
Contact
Vanna Sok
Habitat Programme Manager
UN-Habitat Cambodia
Legacy content
In partnership with the Royal Cambodian Government, UN-Habitat can help Cambodia to achieve a sustainable urban future. Any urban interventions undertaken by UN-Habitat and the Royal Government will need to be multi-sector and involve cooperation with other development partners (external funding and technical assistance grants) and partnerships with (local) government and the private sector as well as participatory development where various elements of civil society will be able to contribute to overall development of Cambodia. The close links across the sector strategies indicates the intentions of a pro-poor and pro-rural urban development strategy.
General information
Cambodia is at a critical junction to set the trajectory right for urban development and to start managing its urbanization process. A collaborative partnership with the government could set the right trajectory and follow key actions to guide future development:
- Establish a vision for urban Cambodia - while an Urban Development Strategy is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC), unless this is adequately consulted and considered as an integral part of the overall National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP), it will have little importance or impact, and will likely become an unfunded mandate.
- Set in place mechanisms for integrated infrastructure planning and land use management, and enforce them. While some plans are currently in place for different sectors, these are usually limited integration. Good practices in planning also involve integrating goals for disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and green growth—which currently are not being considered. Most importantly, land use plans need to be regulated, as even with adequate plans, lack of enforcement creates severe challenges.
- Develop options for financing. Turning existing cities into modern cities of the future will require huge investments and, as evidenced worldwide, central government transfers and donor projects will not be enough to meet the needs. Options will be to borrow money and attract private investment – but to do so require cities to establish their creditworthiness by securing cash flows from user fees and taxes, and by leveraging the value of land in various ways, including through property taxes. This will require i) further enhancement of the decentralization policy; ii) capacity development of the city administrations; and iii) changes to land valuations and land management. This would need to be followed by creating a domestic credit market and establishing the conditions for cities to incur and issue debt.
- Develop a multi-modal transport strategy and integrate transport planning with land use planning. The most visible impact of urbanization in cities across Asia is traffic congestion. The number of motorbikes and cars has increased exponentially, as witnessed even in Phnom Penh. Actions need to be taken now.
- Make urban development inclusive. Burdened by insecure tenure, poor quality housing, lack of access to basic services, the urban poor bear an unequal share of the service shortfalls of the city. At the same time, rising land prices and the pressure to convert the lands occupied by the poor to high value property development, and the growing development needs of a rapidly expanding city have combined with the perceived illegality of informal settlements to cause involuntary displacements of large numbers of the poor. These pressures have increased the uncertainty of the urban poor of their future in the city and the growing fears have become a cause of public displays of social discontent and increased protests.
UN-Habitat projects in Cambodia
Since 1996, UN-Habitat has supported the Cambodian Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC), the Municipality of Phnom Penh (MPP) and Cambodia’s urban communities through a number of urban development projects through various projects and programmes. This includes:
- Phnom Penh Urban Poverty Reduction Project – phase I, phase II (UK-DfID, UNDP)
- Phnom Penh - Local partnership for poverty reduction – Phase I, Phase II (Human Security Trust Fund)
- Draft Housing Policy (MLMUPC,UNDP, ESCAP) Major interventions supporting the MPP and urban poor communities ranged from:
- In-situ upgrading and community development
- Planned relocations and community mobilization/development
- Policy and capacity development support for MPP through its urban poverty reduction unit
- Strengthening of local governance and institution building for urban poor communities’ organizations.
Currently, UN-Habitat Cambodia is:
- Supporting 7 provinces in Cambodia under the Mekong Water and Sanitation programme (MEK-WATSAN), implemented by Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy (MIME) and Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).
- Providing technical assistance to the Climate Change and Cities Initiative in Sihanoukville as part of the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance Trust Fund, led by Preah Sihanouk local authority in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment.
- Participating in the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) Cambodia.
- Working with the government counterpart, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC), who has been attending the Governing Council Meetings of UN-Habitat.
- Seeking to further its activities in the areas of urban planning, land use planning, citywide upgrading and housing, water and sanitation, low cost resilient housing and climate change, disaster and climate change in Cambodia.
- Represented by a Habitat Programme Manager and an Urban Development Specialist.
Contacts
Mr. Vanna Sok Habitat Programme Manager for Cambodia United Nations Human Settlements Programme habitat.fukuoka@unhabitat.org
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Since 1992, UN-Habitat has collaborated with the Government of the People’s Republic of China to promote housing and sustainable urbanization. China has supported UN-Habitat with information dissemination on the outcomes of the Habitat II and Habitat III conferences and on other relevant issues. The fourth World Urban Forum was held in Nanjing in 2008, under the theme of harmonious urbanization and balanced territorial development. The Government of China and Shanghai called for the establishment of the yearly World Cities Day in 2014, as a UN Day. UN-Habitat engages in China under a Framework of Cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. The UN-Habitat China office has collaborations with national agencies and cities in China, on urban planning and design, urban public space, regeneration, heritage, smart cities, rural revitalization and other topics. UN-Habitat engages with Chinese partners on diagnostic studies on the spatial challenges of metropolitan cities and neighbourhoods and promotes participatory planning and design tools. It cohosts national and international meetings, from Expert Group Meetings on a variety of specialized topics to international forums on the promotion of the New Urban Agenda.
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
China’s industrialization and urbanization changed the country and the world over the last 40 years. Hundreds of millions of people saw their quality of life significantly increase. But the economic, environmental and social challenges of metropolitan and urban development are significant as well, for instance the cost of housing, air pollution and the dependency of local authorities to derive revenue from selling land.
The planning, building and management of cities in China needs to address moreover an increasing diversity and complexity of issues. Regional development disparities are still increasing. The pressure on green areas and ecological assets remains significant, while greening the economy will take time. The quality of life of citizens, requires a multitude of innovations, to make cities more child-friendly and suitable for elderly and to promote participation in planning and governance across the board.
Donors and partners
The success of our work in China is the result of successful partnerships with local partners, particularly with local authorities and professional institutions. Through the programme, UN-Habitat identifies and mobilizes diverse local partners who can contribute to planning and design better public space. By creating People-Oriented Public Space Programme, UN-Habitat engages local authorities to take action towards better public space for all. Moreover, the Programme has also joined the Global Public Space Programme.
Contact
Zhenshan Zhang
Habitat Programme Manager for China
UN-Habitat China Office
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 1,768,654
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 6 projects
- Main donors: BASF AG-Germany, Asian Development Bank, Chinese Ministry of Construction and the Construction Bureau of Jiangyin city.
- Implementing partners: UNICEF, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST); Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21, affiliated to MoST); China Architecture, Design and Research Group (CADRG); Sichuan provincial government; Local governments (Hongshe village, Shidi township of Mianzhu city, Deyang prefecture).
UN-Habitat presence in China has been made more visible through co-organizing with the Chinese government the high-profile conferences and events and the nomination process for the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award.
General information
UN-Habitat-China has been further strengthened through the implementation of the Water for Asian Cities Programme, Climate Change in Cities Initiative, Green and Sustainable Urban Development, Disaster Reduction and Rehabilitation in China’s Cities and the appointment of Habitat Programme Manager in October 2009. UN-Habitat’s strategy in China focused on 7 thematic areas:
- Further Promotion of Advocacy and Networking
- Supporting Urban Planning and Management
- Climate Change and Sustainable Urban Development
- Supporting Urban Infrastructure Development
- Strengthening Disaster Prevention and Risk Reduction
- Shelter Development
- Capacity Building
UN-Habitat projects in China
City Wide Strategy for Wuzhuo
This project was to rethink and redraw the Wuzhou District Plan, in response to the policy to shift industrial development from the coastal areas of China towards the Midwest. The policy shift presented the city of Wuzhou with the challenge of accommodating new industries and a forecasted one million new citizens by 2030.The revised Plan, be based on UN-Habitat principles of urban compactness and connectivity is currently under approval.
Project Duration: 2014-2015 Implementing Partners: Guangzhou Planning Institute
Public Space in Wuhan
UN-Habitat is partnering with the Wuhan Land Use and Urban Spatial Planning Research Center (WLSP) to promote urban public space in China. The programme will focus on turning the largest urban lake of China - Donghu or East Lake - into a connected, integrated and people-friendly green space in the center of metropolitan Wuhan. Over a preiod of three years, UN-Habitat will support the city and WLSP as they roll out the first phase of the ambitious Donghu Greenway, turning the 33 square kilometers of lake area into accessible and diverse places of culture and leisure.
Project Duration: 2016 - ongoing
UN Participation of the World Exposition Shanghai China 2010 (A094) Location: Shanghai, China Main partners and beneficiaries: UN organizations, Shanghai Municipal Government
Support to the development of City to City Cooperation between China and Africa (C272) Location: Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province Main partners and beneficiaries: Kunshan Municipal Government
Earthquake Resistant Reconstruction of Yongquan Primary School (D253) Location: Ya’an City, Main partners and beneficiaries: BASF; Ministry of Science and Technology(MoST); Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21); China Architecture Design and Research Group (CAG); Sichuan provincial government; Local governments
UN-Habitat Beijing Information Office (A609) Location: Beijing, China Main partners and beneficiaries: Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Department(MoHURD)
UN-Habitat Support to Asia Development Bank (ADB), City Development Initiative for Asian Cities (D319) Main partners and beneficiaries: Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC)-Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Philippines, Local Government Academy (LGA)-Philippines, Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21), Mayore Chapter, Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI), Sevanatha and Marrg
Low Carbon Economy and Sustainable Urban Development Pilot Project - Jiangyin Non-Development Zone Practice (D323) Location: Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China Main partners and beneficiaries: Jiangyin Municipal Government
Xi’an Chanba Ecological Zone Sustainable Development Project (D 381) Location: Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China Main partners and beneficiaries: Energy Foundation; Xi’an Chanba Ecological Zone Management Committee
Repair of Yongquan and Muma Schools (D386) Location: Ya’an City, and Meishan City, Sichuan Province China Main partners and beneficiaries: BASF; Ministry of Science and Technology(MoST); Administrative Centre for China's Agenda 21 (ACCA21); China Architecture Design and Research Group (CAG); Sichuan provincial government; Local governments
Water for Asian Cities Programme Location: Nanjing Kunming Mianyang Main partners and beneficiaries: Local authorities, Water Utilities, Schools
Mekong Water and Sanitation Initiative Location: Jinghong, Puer, Shuangjiang Main partners and beneficiaries: Local authorities, Water Utilities, Schools
Contacts
Mr. Zhang Zhenshan (HPM for China) Mr. Zhang Muxi (Project Officer) Room 504, South Wing Building No. 9 Sanlihe Road Haidian District Beijing, China Tel: +86 10 58934502 Fax: +86 10 58934502 Email: habitat.fukuoka@unhabitat.org
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Mongolia
Overview
Since 2006 UN-Habitat has supported the Government of Mongolia and Municipality of Ulaanbaatar City in ger area (informal settlement) upgrading policy formulation and its implementation and National Urban Policy development. Through its technical assistances, UN-Habitat aimed to introduce the participatory planning and development approaches into the conventional urban development and planning systems of the country.
Overview
Mongolia has a population of 3.03 million, growing at a rate of 1.7 percent annually. Almost half (47 percent) of the country’s population is currently living in its capital city and the share of the urban population has increased to 67 percent of the total population. Since the 1990s, Ulaanbaatar-Capital city of Mongolia has had limited formal extension of its core, which largely comprises apartment blocks with comprehensive utility services, including dedicated heating, water, and sanitation. However, successive waves of in-migration with Ger tents have reshaped the city’s geography, with (i) little improvement or extension of basic urban services; and (ii). A vast, low-density peri-urban area, commonly and collectively referred to as Ger areas, now extends around the city core, characterized by unplanned settlements of low- and medium-income households with land ownership, un-serviced plots, unpaved roads and poor facilities due to government policy since 2003, to grant each citizen about 700 square meters of land. Settlement growth here is much faster than urban development and is projected to increase by another 40 percent by 2020.
Lack of long-term planning, infrastructure investment, and land use regulation in Ger areas have resulted in haphazard development, limited availability of space for public facilities, poor access to socioeconomic services and insufficient livelihood opportunities. The lack of basic urban infrastructure is preventing people to move out of poverty. The service gap between the city core and Ger areas means Ger residents are poorly connected to the city core and poorly integrated in the urban economy, and this is one of the most urgent and difficult development challenges. While various government and development partner initiatives have significantly improved living conditions in Ger areas, approaches have generally focused on specific sectors, failing to design a sustainable vision and provide integrated solutions for the problems.
Urban numbers
Urban population (% of total) in Mongolia was reported at 72.82 % in 2016.
47 percent of the Mongolia population is currently living in Ulaanbaatar- the capital city.
54.4 % of Ulaanbaatar city’s population live in Ger areas with inadequate basic services
Donors and partners
UN-Habitat works in close collaboration with national and local governments, international and national non-government organizations, academia, community organizations and communities.
Donors
WHO
Ulaanbaatar City Government
Asian Development Bank
Adaptation Fund Board
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 69,265
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 1 project
- Main donors: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Mongolia is located in the heart of Central Asia, between Peoples’ Republic of China and the Russian Federation. Total population is about 2.7 million living over the territory of density 1,566,500 km2. Since early 1990s the country made steady progress from planned to a market-let economy which is migrated sparely settled nomadic population to capital city, Ulaanbaatar. As a result, over 60 percent of the nation’s population is now urban.
General information
2010 2011 2012 Urban Population 1,910,745 1,896,293 1,926,625 Level of Urbanization (%) 69.02 67.44 67.18 Poverty level (%) 38.7 33.7 27.4 Poverty level of Urban (%) 33.1 28.6 23.2 Improved Drinking water Coverage (%) over 50 82 n/a Improved sanitation coverage (%) over 30 51 n/a
UN-Habitat projects in Mongolia
The UN-Habitat has been working in Mongolia since 2006 with focus on the city of Ulaanbaatar city’s with the key activities on development areas highlighted below:
1) The Citywide Ger Area Upgrading Strategy and Investment Plan Project (GUSIP, 2006-2010) funded by the Cities Alliance has assisted the Municipality of Ulaanbaatar (MUB) in the preparation of the first Citywide Pro-poor Ger-area Upgrading Strategy of Ulaanbaatar City in 2006-2007, which was approved by the Ulaanbaatar City Citizens’ Representative Council in July 2007 for its implementation. The Strategy classified the ger areas into three zones: central, middle, and peri-urban, which enabled the government and its development partners to properly nuance the interventions based on the characteristics of each zone.
2) The Community-Led Ger Area Upgrading Project in Ulaanbaatar City in Mongolia (2009-2013) was launched to support the implementation of the above Ger area Upgrading Strategy in the middle ger areas of Ulaanbaatar City. The project’s goal was to improve the quality of life of approximately 50,000 ger area residents in Ulaanbaatar City through a community-led ger area upgrading approach in the five selected project areas. Under the community mobilization component of the project 5 khoroo CDCs and 47 kheseg CDCs, 191 primary groups have been organized and remained active. The CAPs were reviewed and updated annually to reflect the change in priority needs of the communities. 15 community facilities and 135 small access infrastructures identified based on the CAPs have been constructed and are being used by the area residents. 792 CDC members and other residents got temporary employment while building the sub- and micro-projects. 81 community members got permanent employment after community facilities started their operation. 17 Community members got temporary employment as construction workers implementing sub-project.
Contacts
UN-Habitat Mongolia Room #609, UN-HouseUnited Nations Street-12Sukhbaatar DistrictUlaanbaatar -14201, Mongolia Telephone: +976-11-322711 Fax: + 976-11-322711 Email: mail@unhabitat-mongolia.org
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In this decade UN-Habitat support to Government and people of Nepal is primarily focused on four sectors: Urban Planning, Housing, and climate change, Land, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Disaster.
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
Nepal is one of the fast urbanizing countries in South Asia. Haphazard and unplanned urban sprawl have contributed to the growth of slums and informal settlements, inequalities, and inadequacy of basic services including housing, water and sanitation facilities. Unjust land tenure and ineffective land management are further challenges to shared prosperity and development. The pressures of urbanization on natural and cultural resources and assets are huge. Development gains are at risk of recurrent disasters.
As a landlocked and least-developed country, with a fairly recent legacy of civil war and significant outbound migration, Nepal nonetheless promulgated a federal constitution and set into motion devolution to local governments. The call for transformative commitments of the New Urban Agenda is of strong relevance to Nepal, with regard to ending poverty in urban and rural settlements, increasing spatial inclusion, promoting a productive urban economy that provides opportunities to children and youth and creating safe, green, healthy and resilient places for all people.
Donors and partners
UN-Habitat works in partnership with different partners like Government Ministries, municipalities and local authorities, NGOs/ CBOs and academia. Nepal programme has also joined with Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC).
Contact
Padma Sunder Joshi
Habitat Programme Manager
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2015) : US$ 14, 890, 629
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2015): 16 projects
- Main donors: European Union, Government of Japan, Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UN-CERF), United Nations Peace Fund for Nepal (UNPFN)
- Implementing partners: other UN agencies such as UNICEF and UNDP; IOM. Municipalities, local and international NGOs including Lumanti, CIUD, ENPHO and many others.
General information
Nepal is one of the least urbanized countries in South Asia at 18.2% but one of the fastest urbanizing, with a national urbanization rate (average annual change of the percentage urban, 2010-2015) of 2%. Being in the global list of Least Developed Countries the country is overwhelmed by urbanization challenges due to haphazard and unprecedented urban growth. The cities of Nepal are facing many problems indicating to an unsustainable urban future. Kathmandu valley is the single largest urban centre in Nepal encompassing more than half of the urban population.
The Gorkha Earthquake of 2015 which killed more than 8000 people, further exacerbated problems, brought about huge economic losses, structural damages, setting the countries’ development back at least a decade.
With recent addition there are 217 municipalities in Nepal. The failure of rural economy, the insurgency that took place in the country for 10 years and elongated political transition has moved large number of people from villages to cities. One of the major challenges Nepal is facing is the sustainability of urbanization as lack of effective planning and growing infrastructure demands. The political situation remains in a state of turmoil in the absence of local elections for more than decade, affecting municipal governance.
In addition to its fragile political environment and unabated population growth Nepal remains one of the vulnerable countries in the world owing to the climate change and environmental issues. The average annual temperature rise by 0.060C and frequent erratic rains is having impacts on livelihoods and economy of the country.
In this regard, UN-Habitat’s activities have been focused to supporting the government to target Nepal’s urbanization, climate change issues, environment and sanitation, shelter as well as land issues by targeting stakeholders, policy makers, civil society and as well as empowering urban poor for securing a better urban future in the country.
UN-Habitat projects in Nepal
UN-Habitat has been supporting the government of Nepal and its people since the 1980’s in various areas of human settlements and urban development. It established its office in Kathmandu in 2006, and provides support in the areas of water and sanitation, shelter and land, slum upgrading, green development climate change and urban mobility through the following projects:
Shelter Provisions for Most Vulnerable House-holds before and during Monsoon (2015-2016):
Shelter support for vulnerable households through the ‘Peoples Process’ for 5 Earthquake affected districts of Nepal- Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Sindhupalchowk, Dalakha, supported by the Government of Japan. More than 2,200 families were provided with temporary shelter provisions. Technical support is provided for safer construction and helped the communities in safer building of temporary shelters.
Nepal Earthquake Emergency Response (2015 – 2016)
After the 25 March 2015 earthquake, UN-Habitat surge specialists supported the IFRC Shelter Cluster lead and the formulation of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment. It provided an early assessment for the policy response in the Kathmandu Valley and the capital city. Thereafter, together with IOM, UN-Habitat took over the coordination of the shelter organisations, with the Government and IOM, in collaboration with DFID and SDC, in order to maximize winter assistance and preparations towards the reconstruction. UN-Habitat's sanitation programme also mobilised support for the WASH sector.
Urban Land, Legislation and Governance: Catalytic Support to Land Issues (2013-2015):
Under UN Peace Fund for Nepal (UNPFN) this initiative is supporting the government in its land management and land use planning to mitigate land related conflicts in association with UNDP and IOM. The project will implement pilot initiatives in three selected VDCs of Surkhet, Nawalparasi and Morang districts.
Empowering Women 4 Women: Access to Land for Sustainable Peace in Nepal (2015-2016)
This initiative is the continuation of the Catalytic Support to Land Issues project, focusing on women land holding and ownership. This project will empower women by helping to increase the ownership of women on land as women land holding in the country is minimal.
Urban Planning and Design: Green Homes – Promoting Sustainable Housing in Nepal (2013-2015)
With the financial assistance of EU, UN-Habitat is promoting environment friendly, green products and services in housing sector to reduce green house gases, promote green jobs thereby reduce urban poverty. The main target groups/beneficiaries of the project are national policy makers (MoUD and DUDBC), municipalities, SMEs involved in sustainable housing, poor urban youth, particularly women, consumers of sustainable housing, professionals, researchers and general public and partner organizations. This initiative is primarily focused in three municipalities viz. Pokhara, Lalitpur and Dharan. Helping the government to bring green building code, promotional policies of municipalities to encourage construction of green homes and availability of green model and services.
Revitalizing Kirtipur: Promoting People-entric Pond and Public Space Management (2013-2016)
Conserving the open spaces and its best utilization in the changed urban context is vital to safeguard such spaces against competing urban uses. It is important to bring people on board to protect and use these spaces. Under this project UN-Habitat is helping local community and municipality for the conservation of traditional open spaces and its better use.
Continuity to this initiative public space improvement work will be implemented in 2016 under this initiative.
Urban Basic Services: Global Sanitation Fund (2010-2017)
The GSF program in Nepal aims to help the Government achieve the National Goal of universal sanitation coverage by 2017 with focus on achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and promoting hygiene behaviors. The coverage of the programme has been extended to 17 districts. By doing so, it contributes to progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially those to reduce child mortality (Goal 4) and to ensure environmental sustainability (Goal 7).
People-entred Mobility (2013)
UN-Habitat is providing technical support to civil society and the government in promoting people-centred mobility. Promotion of non-motorized vehicles, public transportation, pedestranization are some of the areas covered.
Housing and Slum Upgrading: Operational Policy Guidelines for Urban Informal Settlements (2013)
UN-Habitat helped Government of Nepal to draft the policy guidelines to address the shelter need of informal settlements.
Support to Urban Poor Housing with Cooperative Financing (2013-14)
Under the request of the government UN-Habitat provided technical support to develop guidelines on promoting cooperative financing to cater the shelter need of low income group in cities.
Priority Action for Life-Saving Response through Integrated Nutrution, WASH and Health Interventions - (2012)
Building Back Safer early recovery pilot project for Sihara - (2012 - 2013)
Integrated Shelter Assistance for 225 Landless Households Affected by the Koshi Floods- (2009-2011)
The Provision of Vocational Training for Returning IDPs Affected by the Koshi Flood Priority (2009)
Non-Food Items and Emergency Shelter Assistance to IDPs and Returnees Induced by Conflict (2008) - CERF
Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation (Ongoing)
UN-Habitat with its mandate and being the co-lead of Shelter Cluster under IASC is leading and supporting the government in networking and preparing for shelter need as a recovery.
Contacts
Mr. Padma Sunder Joshi Habitat Programme Manager for Nepal UN-HABITAT P.O. Box 107 Pulchowk Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: + 977 1 5542816 Fax: + 977 1 5539877 unhabitat.nepal@unhabitat.org.np www.unhabitat.org.np
In Sri Lanka, cooperation between the Government and UN-Habitat has a long history, dating back to 1978, with UN-Habitat providing assistance to a range of national programmes, city-based projects, policy support and post disaster and post conflict reconstruction assistance.
Impact
Urban numbers
Challenges
Sri Lanka currently stands at an urban paradox with regard to urbanisation. According to the last census (2012), Sri Lanka was populated by 20.3 Mn people, including 3.7 Mn urban residents (18.2 per cent of the population). Due to this small urban population, Sri Lanka is ranked as the 11th least urbanized country in the world in the 2018 UN World Urbanisation Prospects (UNDESA, 2018). However, there is considerable evidence that official urban population data masks the true extent of the country’s urbanization. According to the Agglomeration Index, Sri Lanka’s urban population is between 35 – 45 per cent while GOSL policy documents estimate a 50 per cent urban population (GOSL 2017).
Urban sprawl, land scarcity, climate change and disaster risk vulnerability, environmental pollution, encroachment of ecologically sensitive areas, urban traffic congestion, diminishing green cover, inadequate housing and poor access to services in underserved settlements and plantations are some of the main challenges to sustainable urbanization in Sri Lanka.
Donors and partners
UN-Habitat Sri Lanka adopts a participatory process in the implementation of all its programmes. All initiatives are developed and implemented in partnership with a range of key stakeholders and partners. At the commencement of programmes, effective partnerships are formed within the community to ensure collaborative decision making, problem solving and resource sharing. Communities are instilled with a sense of ownership, trust, solidarity and accountability by working together as a team. Effective links between the communities, local and central government departments, civil society, community based organisations and donors facilitate a smooth transition of benefits through these programmes to the people of Sri Lanka.
Legacy content
- Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 44,385,934
- Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 18 projects
- Main donors: International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Australian Aid Agency (AusAID), European Commission (EC), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka
- Implementing partners: local government ministries, agencies and other local authorities; international NGOs such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), as well as other UN agencies like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Sri Lanka has a total population of 20 million and the annual population growth is less than 1%. The country has benefited from the conclusion of a three decade long conflict in 2009 and the country’s achievement of Middle Income Country (MIC) status. Sri Lanka has made good progress on MDGs with early achievement of its targets on safe drinking water, and basic sanitation. Overall access to secure tenure is 95.2%.
General information
Although official figures state that the urban population has increased by only 2% over the past decade, there has been rapid urban development through the expansion of urban areas. This urbanization calls for increased investment in basic urban services, mass transportation, improved road safety, reduction of air/noise pollution, environmental hazards and improved town planning.
Since 1978, UN-Habitat has assisted in the development of human settlements policies in Sri Lanka, ranging from the Colombo City Master Plan in the 1980’s to advocating enabling approaches that promoted participatory planning and development, focusing on reduction of poverty and promoting inclusiveness. Parallel to these efforts, UN-Habitat has shared its global experience to assist Sri Lanka in mitigating the impacts of natural/manmade disasters.
Key achievements of the recent past include assisting the communities to construct nearly 40,000 post-disaster houses, national/local interventions in climate change mitigation, DRR and innovative low income settlement upgrading programmes.
UN-Habitat projects in Sri Lanka
Project for Rehabilitation of Community Infrastructure and Facilities in the Conflict Affected Areas in Northern Province of Sri Lanka
- Donor: Government of Japan
- Location: Killinochchi and Mullaitivu districts
- Outcome: 60 km of internal access roads including culverts, 14 RWH facilities, 14 km of masonry storm water drains, 19 community centers, 19 pre-schools, 130,00 trees planted.
Indian Housing Project
- Donor: Government of India
- Location: Killinochchi, Mullaitivu & Jaffna districts
- Outcome: 16,800 houses, skills and alternative technologies training.
Improving Living Conditions in Returnee Areas of Sri Lanka through Housing
- Donor: EU, Australian Government, SDC
- Location: Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa and Mannar districts
- Outcome: 4,350 houses and community infrastructure.
Support to Conflict Affected People through Housing
- Donor: EU, Government of Australia, SDC
- Location: Vavuniya, Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar districts
- Outcome: 5,049 houses and community infrastructure.
Disaster Resilient City Development Strategies Sri Lankan (Phase I and II)
- Donor: Government of Australia
- Location phase I: Cities of Batticaloa, Ratnapura, Kalmunai and Balangoda (concluded)
- Location phase II: Cities of Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Akkaraipattu
- Outcome: Vulnerability assessments, Preparation of Disaster Preparedness Plans, Capacity building of Local Authorities to promote disaster resilient human settlements.
Contacts
Address: UN-Habitat Programme Manager, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo - 07, Sri LankaPhone: +94 (0) 11 2580691 Ext: 342Fax: +94 (0) 11 2581116Web: www.unhabitat.lkEmail: info@unhabitat.lk