ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $15 million loan to help seven cities of Punjab to design comprehensive investment and public service delivery plans for urban development projects.
The loan will fund the preparation of master plans, detailed engineering designs, and operational business plans for proposed projects in Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi and Sargodha.
It will also help ensure a high level of readiness ahead of the ensuing Punjab urban development projects and complement the ADB’s existing technical assistance to Pakistan to conduct feasibility studies and explore innovations to improve the quality of urban services.
“The Government of Punjab has taken a proactive role in tackling urban development challenges in the province,” said ADB’s Senior Urban Development Specialist for Central and West Asia Jude Kohlhase.
“This loan will help local governments improve spatial and urban planning, prepare environmental assessments, put in place gender action plans with a special focus on gender equality, and incorporate climate resilient designs for priority investments.”
The country has experienced rapid urbanisation as people living in rural areas have had been migrating within the country to find jobs.
Urban development challenges are most pronounced in cities of Punjab, which account for 53 per cent of the country’s urban population and experience intermittent access to poor quality water, ineffective wastewater and solid waste management, and severe traffic issues because of lack of public transport and poor traffic management.
The ADB will also help identify integrated smart solutions to strengthen institutions’ urban and spatial planning systems.
It will also support the preparation of land acquisition and resettlement plans, feasibility studies, and procurement of documents. The upcoming projects are in line with the government’s development priorities, which emphasise providing access to safe water, sanitation, urban transport, and a healthy living environment.
Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2020
