Manual for Undertaking National Urban Assessments

Abstract

rbanization in Asia is expected to reach 55% by 2030 and 64% by 2050 to constitute 53% of the world's urban population and contribute to half the world's gross domestic product (GDP).Cities generate up to 80% of GDP in many countries of Asia and the Pacific, and are the engines of economic growth that have lifted millions from poverty.But as cities swell in size and number, they are already struggling with environmental degradation, traffic congestion, inadequate urban infrastructure, and a lack of basic civic services.Maintaining vital economic growth-while creating sustainable livable cities for all-is one of the biggest urban challenges facing Asia.Transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies can be an opportunity to develop disasterresilient infrastructure and environment-friendly green cities.Since the 1960s, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been assisting its developing member countries with about $22 billion in funding for over 200 urban development projects, which have improved urban transport, waste management, and access to clean water and sanitation.Currently, ADB's support for sustainable urban development is guided by the Urban Operational Plan 2012-2020 under ADB's Strategy 2020.It focuses on urban development that is inclusive, competitive, and environmentally sustainable.This requires urban investment decisions based on a comprehensive assessment of urban issues with their fiscal and institutional structures.This publication, prepared by ADB's Urban Sector Group, provides guidelines for undertaking rapid National Urban Assessments (NUAs).The NUA Manual presents a framework to generate sufficient information to formulate policies, identify strategic projects, and prepare investment and financial plans that support the development of urban economies.It can help prioritize key investments to strategic spatial areas or with a thematic focus.By 2017 and 2020, the Urban Operational Plan envisages NUAs to be the basis for 35% and 50% of ADB's country partnership strategy, respectively, for the urban sector assessment and road map, to identify the main environmental, social, and economic development issues relating to the urban sector and integrating input from other related sectors such as the transport, energy, and social sectors.It is expected that 25% and 40% of urban projects in 2030 and 2050, respectively, will be based on integrated urban plans (IUPs) or city development plans (CDPs).The Urban Sector Group has also prepared tool kits for guiding the preparation of IUPs/CDPs with Inclusive Cities, Competitive Cities, and Green Cities as a primary focus, depending on the relative importance of the 3E agenda: equity, economy, and environment.We join the authors of this manual with the conviction that as urbanization grows rapidly in Asia and the Pacific, inclusiveness, competitiveness, and green growth will converge toward a sustainable urban future with the vision of leaders and urban managers.

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