$120m ADB loan to improve urban planning services
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
The government is contemplating overhauling urban planning and infrastructure in two of its biggest city regions-Dhaka and Khulna-where services have struggled to keep up with increasing populations, reports BSS.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) came up with a loan of $ 120 million to supplement the government's efforts in this regard, said an ADB source.
ADB Board of Directors approved the loan for the Bangladesh City Region Development Project, which will target energy-efficient, environment-friendly urban services, more coordinated regional development planning, and stronger management capacity in the two cities.
"The goal is to increase the growth potential and environmental sustainability of these two city regions," said Masayuki Tachiiri, Urban Economist in ADB's South Asia Department.
Bangladesh's cities have been growing at breakneck pace with the urban population expected to double to 74 million by 2035.
However, planning and services have failed to expand at the same pace, resulting in sanitation, drainage, water supply and other problems, which have restricted economic and social activities.
Besides physical improvements to water, drainage, urban transport and other facilities the project will incorporate a pilot program that will install energy-efficient water pumps and solar- powered street lights.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) came up with a loan of $ 120 million to supplement the government's efforts in this regard, said an ADB source.
ADB Board of Directors approved the loan for the Bangladesh City Region Development Project, which will target energy-efficient, environment-friendly urban services, more coordinated regional development planning, and stronger management capacity in the two cities.
"The goal is to increase the growth potential and environmental sustainability of these two city regions," said Masayuki Tachiiri, Urban Economist in ADB's South Asia Department.
Bangladesh's cities have been growing at breakneck pace with the urban population expected to double to 74 million by 2035.
However, planning and services have failed to expand at the same pace, resulting in sanitation, drainage, water supply and other problems, which have restricted economic and social activities.
Besides physical improvements to water, drainage, urban transport and other facilities the project will incorporate a pilot program that will install energy-efficient water pumps and solar- powered street lights.