Urban Basic Services Portfolio

2012 Annual Report
Urban Basic Services Portfolio
September 2013
2012 Annual Report | Urban Basic Services Portfolio 1

HS/061/13E
Front Cover:
Charging station in India © UN-Habitat
Water treatment facility with large pools of water

© Format35 / Shutterstock
Bodaboda transport, Kenya

© UN-Habitat
2012 Annual Report
Urban Basic Services Portfolio
September 2013
New blue Citi Bikes lined
up at the Greenwich Village
station at 6th Avenue in
Manhattan on May 25, 2013.
The Bike-Share program
begins on Memorial Day
© shutterstock
4 2012 Annual Report | Urban Basic Services Portfolio

Table of Contents
Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Executive Summary........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.1 Purpose and approach ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Key findings.......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Lessons learned..................................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.4 Conclusions and suggestions .............................................................................................................................. 13
2. Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
2.1 UN-Habitat and Urban Basic Services................................................................................................................ 15
2.1.1 Rio+20: Relevant Outcomes..................................................................................................................................... 16
2.1.2 The Urban Basic Services Branch............................................................................................................................... 17
2.1.3 Annual Report for UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services portfolio.................................................................................. 17
2.2 Methodology........................................................................................................................................................................ 18
2.2.1 Data Sources............................................................................................................................................................ 19
2.2.2 Overview of the Portfolio......................................................................................................................................... 19
2.2.3 Template for the Annual Report............................................................................................................................... 20
2.2.4 Interviews with Senior Management........................................................................................................................ 21
2.3 Structure of the Report...................................................................................................................................... 21
3. Focus on Urban Basic Services......................................................................................................................................................... 23
3.1 Water and Sanitation............................................................................................................................................................ 25
3.1.1 Water for Cities Programme..................................................................................................................................... 26
3.1.2 Regional Model-Setting Initiatives............................................................................................................................. 31
3.1.3 Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance - GWOPA............................................................................................ 38
3.1.4 Asia-Pacific Region, Bangladesh............................................................................................................................... 41
3.1.5 Africa Region, Malawi.............................................................................................................................................. 43
3.1.6 Arab States, Iraq...................................................................................................................................................... 45
3.2 Urban Energy........................................................................................................................................................................ 47
3.3 Urban Mobility...................................................................................................................................................................... 51
3.3.1 Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities............................................................................. 51
3.3.2 Sustainable Urban Mobility in UN-Habitat partner countries and cities...................................................................... 54
3.3.3 GENUS: Pro-poor Mobility Component..................................................................................................................... 57
3.4 Urban Waste Management................................................................................................................................................... 58
3.5 Summary of financial implementation in 2012...................................................................................................................... 62
4. Main challenges and necessary actions........................................................................................................................................... 65
4.1 Urban Basic Services portfolio/Thematic Level........................................................................................................................ 65
4.1.1 Raise profile of urban basic services initiatives........................................................................................................... 66
4.1.2 Up scaling successful approaches............................................................................................................................. 66

Table of Contents
4.1.3 Adoption of alternative/innovative technologies....................................................................................................... 67

4.1.4 Strategic actions before project exits to achieve greater impact and visibility............................................................. 67
4.1.5 Prioritise future actions in locations where the need is most acute............................................................................ 67
4.1.6 Strengthen partnerships through coordination and consensus building..................................................................... 68
4.1.7 Incorporate risks arising due to unexpected events/ Climate Change........................................................................ 68
4.1.8 Participation in decision making .............................................................................................................................. 68
4.2 Sub-Thematic Level............................................................................................................................................................... 69
4.2.1 Water and Sanitation............................................................................................................................................... 69
4.2.2 Energy..................................................................................................................................................................... 69
4.2.3 Transportation and Mobility...................................................................................................................................... 70
4.2.4 Waste Management................................................................................................................................................. 70
4.3 Project Levels........................................................................................................................................................................ 70
4.3.1 Cross-cutting issues.................................................................................................................................................. 70
4.3.2 Project management................................................................................................................................................ 71
4.3.3 Project Designs......................................................................................................................................................... 71
4.3.4 Project roll-out period and duration.......................................................................................................................... 72
4.3.5 Project implementation and sustainability................................................................................................................. 72
4.3.6 Building Capacities................................................................................................................................................... 72
4.3.7 Mobilising community contributions/Micro-finance/Revolving funds......................................................................... 73
4.4 Looking forward to 2013/ Next steps.................................................................................................................................... 73
References............................................................................................................................................................................................ 77

Abbreviations
ADB Asian Development Bank NMT Non-Motorised Transport

AfDB African Development Bank ODF Open Defecation Free
BRT Bus Rapid Transit PAAS Project Approval and Accountability System
CAF Charities Aid Foundation PPP Public-Private Partnership
CBOs Community Based Organisations ROAf Regional Office for Africa
CCI Coca-Cola India Pvt Ltd ROAP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
DFID Department for International Development- ROAS Regional Office for the Arab States
EEBEA Energy Efficiency in Buildings in East Africa ROLAC Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
EMAPA WatSan operator in Bolivia RTCD Regional and Technical Cooperation Division
GEF Global Environment Facility SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
GENUS Global Energy Network for Urban Settlements SEDESOL Ministry of Social Development (Mexico)
GIS Geographic Information System TERI The Energy and Resource Centre
GIZ German Technical Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für UATP African Association of Public Transport (Union Africaine des
Internationale Zusammenarbeit) Transports Publics)
GSF Global Sanitation Fund UNDP United Nations Development Programme
GWOPA Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
HVBWSHE Human Values Based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education UN-Habitat United Nations Human Settlements Programme
HWTS Household Water Treatment and Safe storage UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
IADB Inter-American Development Bank UNMISS United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan
IATI International Aid Transparency Initiative UPPR Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction
INGO International Non-Governmental Organization USAID United States Agency for International Development
IUTC International Urban Training Centre USUG Water Supply and Sewerage Authority of Ulaanbaatar
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency WAC Water for African Cities/ Water for Asian Cities
LVBC Lake Victoria Basin Commission WASH Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene
LVWATSAN Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation initiative WatSan Water and Sanitation
MCEC Multi-Functional Clean Energy Centres WHO World Health Organisation
MDGs Millennium Development Goals WOPs Water Operators’ Partnerships
MEK-Watsan Mekong Region Water and Sanitation Programme WSSCC Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council
MoU Memorandum of Understanding WSTF Water Sanitation Trust Fund (now Urban Basic Services Trust
MTSIP Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan Fund)
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations WUSCs Water Users and Sanitation Committees

Passengers wait on a platform as a BTS
Skytrain approaches a station in the
city centre on Apr 5, 2013 in Bangkok,
Thailand. Founded in 1999, the BTS has
a daily ridership of 600,000
© shutterstock

1. Executive Summary
With poverty eradication, environmental sustainability, and A Part A includes a report on project/ programme activities,
sustainable consumption and production as the over-arching outputs, lessons learned and challenges faced for enhancing
development goals, UN-Habitat - the United Nations Human access to basic services.
Settlements agency - believes that urban areas are an asset and
a solution, and that the urbanization process can be steered and B Part B contextualises the lessons learned and challenges for
shaped. UN-Habitat is committed to working towards promoting the coming years in terms of the Millennium Development
an urban paradigm shift for creating cities where economies Goals targets, the outcome of Rio+20, the sustainable
of agglomeration and scale are maximized, collective interest development goals, the Secretary-General’s Five Year Action
prevails, transport and service delivery costs are minimized, use Agenda and so on. It highlights the key lessons that have
of land is optimized and open spaces are protected and better been learnt and the likely challenges in terms of all resources
organized. To address development challenges in urban areas (financial, human, etc.), and other arrangements for the
effectively, several changes have been initiated within UN- remaining part of project periods. It also identifies actions
Habitat. This includes the changing of the Water, Sanitation and required at project and Urban Basic Services Branch/regional
Infrastructure Branch into an Urban Basic Services Branch and the office levels to meet future challenges.
expansion of the Water and Sanitation Trust Fund (WSTF) into an
Urban Basic Services Trust Fund. The approach to preparing the Annual Report comprised the
following steps:
UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services portfolio covers four
programmatic clusters/sub-themes: Water and Sanitation; a. Getting an overview of the context in which the Branch is
Urban Mobility; Urban Energy and Urban Waste Management. functioning, including actions taken following Rio+20
Its activities include demonstration projects; regional replicable
model-setting initiatives; pro-poor and gender-sensitive b. Compiling data on all initiatives under the Urban Basic
governance frameworks, research and capacity building initiatives, Services theme on a mutually agreed format
and partnerships with water operators. The initiatives are
implemented by the Branch and UN-Habitat Regional Offices in c. Brief introductory meetings with senior management
collaboration with other UN-Habitat branches and partners. for identifying data sources for the assignment
d. Conducting short interviews with the coordinators of

1.1 Purpose and approach programme areas to identify what they consider to be
the key achievements, lessons learnt, challenges and so
The Annual Report for 2012 lists the initiatives undertaken, on in their focus areas
outputs, lessons learned, best practices introduced as well as
the challenges in the coming period. The 2012 Annual Report is e. Finalise a template and fill in relevant project information
divided in two parts. for each project and send to contact persons for getting
specific project information

1.2 Key findings but the project-based funding is earmarked for specific activities.
Thus, programmatically, interventions for enabling access to
The operational activities supported by UN-Habitat under the individual services and for introducing energy efficient systems
water and sanitation sub-theme during 2012 include three need to be approached holistically. This situation is further
regional initiatives under the Water for Cities Programme (Water aggravated when attempts are made to introduce alternative
for African Cities Programme, Water for Asian Cities Programme technologies that are based on use of human or animal waste,
and Water and Sanitation for Cities in the Latin American and due to misperceptions amongst potential users.
Caribbean Region Programme); two replicable/model-setting
initiatives (Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative and the UN-Habitat’s support for sustainable access to water and
Mekong Water and Sanitation Initiative) and initiatives supported sanitation has included interventions for rainwater harvesting
by the Regional Offices. UN-Habitat also supports the Global and storage and for enhancing sustainable water management
Water Operators Partnership Alliance (GWOPA) that facilitates systems. It is already promoting pro-poor urban WatSan
cross-regional knowledge sharing and learning among individual governance, empowerment processes, inclusive planning
utilities and networks. for effective delivery of urban basic services and supporting
incorporation of pro-poor and equity components in large projects
The Urban Basic Services Branch participated in an interesting funded by the Regional Development Banks. UN-Habitat provides
initiative that during 2012 to work towards “Delivering as One. significant support for building capacities of water supply and
The project development phase for the Rapid Planning for dynamic sanitation utilities, local governments, NGOs and communities to
metropolises was undertaken in collaboration with the Urban help improve service provision for the urban poor and leverage
Environmental Planning Branch (UEPB), and in partnership with AT- resources for scaling up.
Verband (AT-Association) and several European organizations and
private companies, research organizations and private foundations. Since access to sanitation remains a priority in many countries,
Funding is provided by the German Federal Ministry of Education UN-Habitat has supported the introduction of next generation
and Research and this initiative will also contribute towards a better toilets that capture and process human waste without piped
understanding of how cross-cutting issues can be incorporated at water, and sewer and electrical connections. UN-Habitat,
different stages of development initiatives. specifically under initiatives supported by the Urban Basic Services
Branch, has successfully promoted the reuse of treated waste
Cross-cutting issues have since long been addressed by UN- water and introduced Human Values-Based approach to Water,
Habitat in terms how governance, gender mainstreaming, rights Sanitation and Hygiene promotion (HVBWSHE) to generate
based development and so on affect human settlements especially positive behavioural change amongst school children and local
the poor, women, people with disabilities, children and youth, communities. UN-Habitat’s collaboration with UNICEF for a
and how they are affected by developmental policies, services possible partnership for scaling-up of the initiative will strengthen
and urbanisation processes. In the current context it is essential to the United Nations’ efforts in the sector.
articulate and integrate climate change, technology, innovations
and the environment clearly into nationally-led processes. The With a focus on sustainable development and climate change,
aim is to advance inclusive development, gender mainstreaming it is essential to promote sustainable modern energy services for
and empowerment processes in all projects and to contribute all. Under its sub-thematic area of Urban Energy, UN-Habitat is
to reduce the effects of climate change. UN-Habitat is already already focusing on enhancing renewable energies, on promoting
cooperating with the United Nations and other international energy efficiency, clean energies and low energy technologies,
agencies, ministerial bodies and other partners to address impacts and on supporting implementation of national and sub-national
of climate change. strategies focusing on energy legislation, regulations and finance.
UN-Habitat’s support for enabling access to energy for all UN-Habitat is supporting initiatives to achieve considerable
is affected because the delivery of water, sanitation, waste avoidance of CO2 emissions through improved practices and
management and mobility services/facilities have energy aspects the mainstreaming of energy efficiency measures into housing

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr. Joan Clos, UN-HABITAT Executive Director flag off the Bike –Sharing Campaign during the opening ceremony of GC24 in Nairobi,
Kenya as part of Sustainable Transport Initiative in East African cities. © UN-Habitat /Julius Mwelu
policies, building codes and building practices in Kenya, Uganda, the poor. It has initiated the Sustainable Transport in East African
Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Under the Global Energy Network cities (Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Kampala) at a time when national
for the Urban Settlements, UN-Habitat is promoting the design governments had recognised the need for sustainable transport
and implementation of energy-access programmes and projects but were still in the process of identifying the most effective
globally. The initiatives include exchange and dissemination of solutions to meet their needs.
best practices and technologies, awareness creation, advocacy,
tools development, knowledge management and capacity- UN-Habitat is promoting the implementation of sustainable urban
building. Other initiatives include development of the Ibadan- transport solutions. The aim is to help to create the technical
Abidjan urban energy corridor, and a Low Carbon Economy and and institutional basis for implementing sustainable metropolitan
Sustainable Urban Development Pilot Project in the Jiangyin non- transport networks and systems. The purpose is to develop
development zone. awareness among policy makers of sustainable mobility options in
cities and also to build the capacity of city managers and planners
Under the Urban Mobility sub-theme, UN-Habitat has taken a lead to plan and implement incremental, quick-impact interventions
in advocating increased awareness on sustainable urban mobility that can improve urban mobility. UN-Habitat is also promoting
approaches, policies and investments, as well as for implementing the concept of ‘giving the street back to citizens’ creating public
strategies and programmes for more transport and improved spaces, establishing more robust public transport systems and
infrastructure. UN-Habitat already has the resources under the promoting NMT. To address the lack of information amongst
Global Energy Network for the Urban Settlements project for planners and decision makers on the key mobility challenges
the promotion and implementation of accessible, affordable, confronting their cities, the UN-Habitat project will develop,
efficient, financially-sustainable, environmentally-friendly and field-test and disseminate a Mobility Rapid-Assessment Tool. The
safe transport systems, and for improving access and mobility for Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) - the host institution for

Global Energy Network for the Urban Settlements in Asia - is to will be required for the coming years in terms of availability of
put together about 50 case studies on projects/initiatives focusing funds, planning new projects that optimally incorporate the sub-
on pro-poor mobility in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In October theme related issues, wider urban development, management and
2012, 15 case studies that highlighted some interesting and environmental issues and what it takes to implement demonstration
innovative solutions for improvement of informal transport modes and replicable initiatives so that they can be scaled-up.
were published by ethe Institute.
At the field level, as highlighted in the Water and Sanitation Trust
Under the Urban Waste Management sub-theme, UN-Habitat Fund Impact Study, there is a need to support fewer and larger
has been supporting the recycling and reuse of waste, including value integrated projects rather than small-scale interventions. This
wastewater treatment to control pollution and to increase water will also contribute towards easing coordination between multiple
quality and the use of biodegradable kitchen and garden waste UN Agencies, development partners and Governments, as well
in household/institutional level biogas units to complement its as strengthening partnerships with Governments and decision-
water and sanitation initiatives in informal settlements in several makers. This will contribute to smooth implementation of projects
countries of Africa and Asia. However, these were, by their nature, and help influence development processes, policy decisions,
addressed in a fragmented manner rather than as an integrated programmes and budgets.
component of basic services delivery. During 2012, UN-Habitat
had evaluated its Vacutug development project, under which It is thus essential to grasp opportunities for synergies with other
the Mark I and Mark II suction equipment were developed. The stakeholders and interventions that can together contribute to
evaluation of Mark II is expected to inform development of a final institutionalizing project processes and to the sustainability of
version of the Vacutug, which took cognizance of factors beyond project assets. Communication, continued advocacy and organising
the current applicability of the technology. of consensus-building and coordination events to ensure that all
partners are regularly informed about what is going on are vital.
The use of the Project Approval and Accountability System shows
that currently, project details, especially descriptive details regarding An important lesson is that changes in average temperatures and
project locations, context, goal, activities and outputs are not longer dry seasons affect water sources and increase vulnerabilities
always available on the database. In many instances, only the of people in project areas. This, and natural calamities such as
financial information reflects progress in implementation of the floods and droughts, and civil strife or other emergency situations,
initiatives. This indicates that the System has yet to become the affect direct implementation of interventions. They stretch the
reference point for sharing data/ details regarding the different staff and financial resources of implementing partners who
initiatives supported by different UN-Habitat Branches and regional are required to concentrate on rehabilitation and relief efforts.
offices. For a genuinely coordinated approach to development, it In some situations, lengthy administrative and procurement
is essential that the Project Approval and Accountability System procedures, project auditing requirements, limited capacities,
or any appropriate database of UN-Habitat is easier to use for lack of effective coordination mechanisms, non-availability of
administrative, financial and project level monitoring. contractors, security issues, delays in decision making, extensive
negotiations with governments to secure their support or lengthy
negotiations for mobilising of communities for a bottom-up
1.3 Lessons learned development approach can result in delays in implementation.
Thus, project timelines not only need to build in factors that cause
The water, sanitation, energy and mobility related initiatives delays but also to provide adequate time while optimising staff
supported by UN-Habitat during 2012 reveal that important lessons and financial resources.
have been learned at the project levels as well as at the Portfolio
level. They were in strategies and approaches adopted at project A related challenge is the depletion of water resources and its
levels, implementation partners and arrangements, extent of impact on sustainability of projects, especially for areas where
community involvement and the challenges in terms of financial and water supply is dependent on underground sources and where
human resources. The Branch recognises that other arrangements salinity is a major issue. Similarly, the sustainability of facilities

and post-project operation and maintenance of assets created Thus, the key conclusions are related to how limited financial
under projects are a major challenge. Although community resources are affecting UN-Habitat’s potential for planning and
level institutions are established in project areas, they require implementing strategic initiatives, building partnerships and
handholding for leveraging support from the government for long optimally utilising its human resources. UN-Habitat, specifically
term sustainability. the Urban Basic Services Branch, needs to raise the profile of
the urban basic services portfolio by taking a lead in planning
UN-Habitat supports capacity building initiatives and exposure and implementing model, sustainable, inclusive and integrated
visits to address gaps in capacities for strategizing, planning, initiatives. In order to reach urban basic services to more people,
and implementing integrated as well as inclusive development there is potential for upscaling the successful regional model
initiatives that exist at various levels. This includes gaps in initiatives by covering more urban and peri-urban areas.
capacities among government departments, public service
providers and institutions, partner NGOs, local training institutions Urban Basic Services Branch can take a lead in institutionalising
and resource centres. With the emphasis on sustainable actions that contribute towards UN-Habitat functioning as one
development, environmental issues also need to be addressed entity. One of the options for facilitating a coordinated approach
while planning and implementing urban infrastructure projects. is to make the Project Approval and Accountability System (or an
These include aspects of energy use/access, use/conservation of appropriate database) the reference point for sharing data/details
resources and local materials, minimal pollution, climate change regarding new, ongoing and completed initiatives supported by
and hazard risk reduction. different UN-Habitat Branches and Regional Offices. It is essential
that theSystem is easier to use for administrative, financial and
project level information and monitoring. UN-Habitat can also
1.4 Conclusions and suggestions enhance coordination to provide updated information in one
location by linking quarterly and annual programme level progress
UN-Habitat is already reaching out to more people by working at reports and appropriate Mission Reports.
regional levels and through infrastructure projects in disaster or
civil strife affected areas. The initiatives supported by UN-Habitat There should also be a focus on optimally using financial resources
focus on different levels – policy, institutional and stakeholder. The through demonstration projects in a way that enables partnerships
pro-poor focus of initiatives complements the government’s focus with the Government and private sector to be strengthened for
on achieving poverty reduction and the Goals’ targets. It also has upscaling as well as influencing policy guidelines
substantial knowledge and experience in implementing sustainable
approaches and processes at a smaller scale in different countries. In ongoing projects, UN-Habitat has the option for investing in
UN-Habitat is, therefore, in a position to build on the achievements project reviews that recommend ways of making the processes/
and upscale tested initiatives and viable technologies. community structures, partnerships and assets more sustainable.
This includes actions for optimal utilisation of available human and
However, the context has changed dramatically because of the financial resources.
urgent need to address sustainability issues and risks related to
climate change. In terms of the types of responses and actions Besides the emphasis on energy and mobility related interventions,
that can be taken to address urban basic services issues, the there is need to upscale sanitation and HVWSHE related
context has changed because of the global focus on poverty interventions since the target is among the most lagging of the
reduction and the commitments for achieving the Goals’ targets. Goals. Funding for sanitation interventions is likely to be more
In addition, advances in information technology have dramatically easily available in response to the UN Secretary-General’s ‘Call to
impacted upon management practices, communication, Action on Sanitation’1.
coordination and transparency. The wider changes in context
are complemented by global support for entrepreneurs and
innovations for addressing service delivery and climate change
related problems. 1 Launched in March 2013

Thai woman washes her child outdoors on
August 28, 2010 in Bangkok © Shutterstock

2. Introduction
UN-Habitat’s strategic vision is that city, regional and national authorities adopt
enabling legislation and establish systems for improved access to land, effective
decentralised governance and urban safety, which foster sustainable urban development
(Strategic Framework 2014-2019) (UN-Habitat, 2013a).
UN-Habitat believes that urban areas level, while responding to current social, iv. Technical expertise in such areas as
are an asset and a solution, and that economic and political changes. UN- land and property administration;
the urbanization process can be steered Habitat contributes to making model urban environmental management;
and shaped. It is therefore committed to cities, reducing vulnerability and backing participatory planning; bridging
working towards promoting an urban rehabilitation by supporting partner relief with sustainable recovery and
paradigm shift for creating cities where countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America reconstruction; urban safety and
economies of agglomeration and scale are and the Caribbean and through projects, security and urban governance.
maximized, collective interest prevails and global policy work, and advocacy
where transport and service delivery costs activities. UN-Habitat also engages in
are minimized, use of land is optimized global normative and advocacy work to 2.1 UN-Habitat and
and urban open spaces are protected and disseminate good practices and inform on Urban Basic Services
better organized. policies for effective and environmentally
sound development. To achieve its strategic vision, besides
To achieve this, a holistic, integrated, other focus areas, UN-Habitat is
and citywide approach that addresses The comparative advantages of UN- focussing on enabling equitable access of
vulnerability, poverty and inequality issues Habitat’s contributions in urban areas are: unserved and underserved populations
is required. This requires positioning the to environmentally-sound basic urban
city within the regional, national and i. Combined normative and operational infrastructure and services, that is,
global development context, nurturing and approach to urbanisation to adequate and clean water supply,
utilizing local human and other resources, sanitation and waste management
and maximizing local opportunities and ii. Recognized capacity to bring all facilities, and to sustainable energy,
potentials. spheres of government and civil mobility and communication systems. UN-
society together to engage in policy Habitat does this by providing policy and
UN-Habitat focuses on Urban Planning, dialogue and participatory planning technical assistance to partner countries
Urban Economy and Urban Legislation and social organisation and local authorities for:
as the three levers of change in urban
areas. It looks to knowledge management, iii. Long-standing partnership with local §§ Evolving an enabling policy and
settlements financing, and strategic authorities in promoting sustainable institutional framework to rehabilitate
partnerships at the national and local urban development and expand access to environmentally-

sound urban infrastructure and services One UN (UN-Habitat, 2011a). This includes Overall, Governments, private companies
to keep pace with growing demand, changing the Water, Sanitation and and multilateral agencies committed
especially for unserved and underserved Infrastructure Branch that was responsible themselves to voluntary pledges worth
populations, and address climate change for water and sanitation before 2012 into USD513 billion toward a series of
and risk prevention, including mitigation an Urban Basic Services Branch and the development projects aimed at reducing
and adaptation expansion of the Water and Sanitation fossil fuel use, improving renewable
Trust Fund into an Urban Basic Services energy sources, conserving water, and
§§ Increased institutional efficiency and Trust Fund (UN-Habitat, 2013b). The reducing poverty (Suan Ee, 2012).
affordability in service provision to foster Urban Basic Services portfolio covers four
cross-sectoral planning at different programmatic clusters/sub-themes: Water Water and Sanitation
levels, facilitate partnership and dialogue and Sanitation; Urban Mobility; Urban There is widespread commitment to
among various stakeholders, different Energy and Urban Waste Management. progressive realization of access to safe
administrative levels and partners and and affordable drinking water and basic
through promotion of decentralized sanitation for all, the empowerment
decision-making 2.1.1 Rio+20: Relevant of women and to significantly improve
Outcomes the implementation of integrated water
§§ Enhancing consumer demand for resource management at all levels. To
efficient and sustainable basic urban At the Rio+20 conference (20 to 22 June achieve these objectives, there is a need
infrastructure and services 2012), the participants renewed their to mobilize resources from all sources,
commitment to sustainable development build institutional capacities and support
To meet the various development and reaffirmed their commitment to technology transfer (Goransson, 2012).
challenges in urban areas, UN-Habitat has making every effort to accelerate the
over the past few years commissioned achievement of the internationally Sustainable Transport
a peer review of the implementation of agreed development goals, including the In order to introduce sustainable public
UN-Habitat’s 2008–2013 Medium-Term Millennium Development Goals by 2015. transport systems to cut down on
Strategic and Institutional Plan (2010); a They also reaffirmed the need to achieve congestion and emissions over the next
review of UN-Habitat’s Participation in the sustainable development by promoting decade, eight international development
Delivering as One initiative (2011), and sustained, inclusive and equitable banks (African Development Bank, Asian
a Review of the governance structure of economic growth, creating greater Development Bank, CAF Development
the United Nations Human Settlements opportunities for all, reducing inequalities, Bank of Latin America, European Bank
Programme (2012). In addition, the first raising basic standards of living, fostering for Reconstruction and Development,
Water and Sanitation Trust Fund Impact equitable social development and inclusion European Investment Bank, Inter-American
Study (including a Nepal Country Impact and promoting integrated and sustainable Development Bank, Islamic Development
Study and a Gender Mainstreaming Impact management of natural resources and Bank, and the World Bank) agreed to
Study) (October 2009 to January 2010); ecosystems that supports, inter alia, invest USD175 billion in loans and grants
and an external evaluation of BASF – The economic, social and human development over a ten-year period (UNCSD, 2012a).
Chemical Company-funded initiatives in while facilitating ecosystem conservation, Experts also agreed that, to have a
India and Nepal were undertaken. regeneration and restoration and significant global impact, Asian and Latin
resilience in the face of new and emerging American countries would have to take
One of the most significant outcomes of challenges. the lead in shifting to sustainable public
the first Water and Sanitation Trust Fund transport systems.
Impact Study was the initiation of the The outcomes relevant to the four
internal reorganisation within UN-Habitat programmatic clusters under the Urban Sustainable Energy for All
in response to the need for ‘Delivering as Basic Services portfolio of UN-Habitat are The focus is on meeting the three inter-
One’ – both as one UN-Habitat as well as given below. linked objectives of the Sustainable Energy

for All initiative, that is ensuring universal Urban Waste 2.1.2 The Urban Basic Services
access to modern energy services; The long-term vision of resource efficiency Branch
doubling the global rate of improvement and zero waste society in sustainable
in energy efficiency and doubling the share cities shifts the focus from disposal UN-Habitat has, over the years,
of renewable energy in the global energy practices to promote waste minimization introduced/promoted policies, approaches,
mix by 2030 (UNCSD, 2012b). Already, and cyclical use of materials in the processes and technologies that contribute
more than 50 governments from Africa, economy. The emphasis is on taking a to sustainable cities. The Urban Basic
Asia, Latin America and Small Island life cycle approach for resource efficiency Services Branch, too, has closely examined
Developing States are developing energy and environmentally-sound waste the Rio+20 declaration references to
plans and programmes, and private sector management. This includes support for its sub-themes and is geared towards
companies have pledged to contribute initiatives that further reduce, reuse and supporting initiatives that contribute
USD50 billion to provide energy to the recycle waste (3Rs), managing waste as a towards evolving, dissemination/
entire global population by 2030. Experts resource and for innovative public‐private diffusion and scaling-up of innovative
note that, while the degree to which these partnerships for developing the capacity and sustainable solutions. This includes
pledges will be fulfilled is uncertain, the and technology for environmentally-sound identifying the actions required at the
outcome of Rio+20 has catalysed a global waste management. Branch, Regional office and project levels
call to make sustainable development to meet the challenges of the coming
priorities central to global thinking (Suan years in the context of the Goals. as well
Ee, 2012). as constraints of financial resources.
2.1.3 Annual Report for

UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic
Services portfolio
The Urban Basic Services Branch has

been working towards consolidating
UN-Habitat’sinterventions in this field to
date and decided on preparing an Annual
Report for 2012 that lists the initiatives
undertaken. UN-Habitat’s portfolio of
urban basic services includes demonstration
projects, regional replicable model-setting
initiatives, pro-poor and gender-sensitive
governance frameworks, research and
capacity building initiatives and partnerships
with water operators. The focus of the
initiatives is on strengthening policies and
institutional frameworks, and providing
technical assistance to partner cities,
and regional and national authorities to
rehabilitate and expand access to urban
basic services to keep up with growing
Employees and Scavengers are processing waste in Landfill at Guatemala City on August 7, 2012. People demand; ensure institutional efficiency and
searching for refuse to recycle or resell © Charles Harker / Shutterstock affordability in the provision of services and

provide adequate levels of services for the The 2012 Annual Report on the Urban actions taken by the Branch following
urban poor. The initiatives are implemented Basic Services portfolio therefore includes Rio+20, such as
by the Branch and UN-Habitat Regional a report on activities supported at global,
Offices in collaboration with other regional and country levels by the Urban §§ UN-Habitat’s Strategic Vision/
UN-Habitat branches and partners. Basic Services Branch and UN-Habitat Framework (2014-2019)
Regional Offices. The aim is to report how
The water, sanitation, energy and the activities undertaken from January §§ Implications and relevance of Rio+20
mobility-related initiatives supported to December 2012 have contributed to outcomes for Urban Basic Services
by UN-Habitat during 2012 reveal that achieving the following key results: portfolio based on presentations (July
important lessons have been learned 5-6, 2012), and 2 page notes by senior
at the project levels as well as at the §§ Sustainable and equitable access to management on focus areas (water and
Portfolio level. These have been in terms improved basic infrastructure and sanitation, mobility, energy, and waste
of strategies and approaches adopted at services in urban areas and countries management
project levels, implementation partners are on track to achieve internationally
and arrangements, extent of community agreed targets §§ A Thematic Paper on Urban Basic
involvement and the challenges in terms of Services
financial and human resources. The Branch §§ Increased pro-poor investments in basic
recognises that other arrangements will infrastructure and services These documents provided the
be required for the coming years – both background to the thinking amongst
in terms of availability of funds as well as §§ Improved pro-poor governance senior management in the Branch with
what it takes to implement demonstration frameworks ensuring the involvement reference to the current context and future
and replicable initiatives in a manner that of local authorities, communities challenges.
they can be scaled up. Most importantly, and vulnerable groups in basic urban
the Branch needs to focus on strategically infrastructure and services Compile data on all initiatives under the
planning new projects that optimally Urban Basic Services theme on a mutually
incorporate the sub-theme related §§ Document, analyze and disseminate agreed format: Data on the projects
issues and wider urban development, best practices and good policies on and what has happened during the
management and environmental issues. environmentally-sound infrastructure year is available from three key sources
and services – documents in the Branch that include
The Branch decided to engage a PowerPoint presentations and notes
consultant for preparing an Annual Report Although the report emphasis is on prepared for internal purposes, the Project
for 2012, listing the initiatives undertaken, short-term outcomes, processes and Approval and Accountability System, and
outputs, lessons learned, best practices outputs which significantly contribute key UN-Habitat documents and routine/
introduced as well as the challenges in the towards attainment of the results, quarterly progress reports (Medium-Term
coming period. The 2012 Annual Report is it also elaborates on the changing Strategic and Institutional Plan and Water
divided in two parts. context, challenges and next steps for Sanitation Trust Fund (now Urban Basic
each focus area. Services Trust Fund)Reports) prepared
§§ Part A lists the initiatives supported by during the year, which are available on the
the Branch and describes the activities, intranet/internet. Additional contextual
outputs, lessons learned and challenges 2.2 Methodology and specific project-related information
faced (especially when not available from PAAS)
The approach to preparing the Annual was accessed from internet sources2.
§§ Part B focuses on how the Branch Report comprised the following steps:Get
and UN-Habitat’s Regional Offices are an overview of the context in which the 2 Please note that all sub-thematic and project
responding to emerging issues and trends Branch is functioning. This included the related documents that have been referred to are
not listed in the references.

I. Brief introductory meetings with II. In addition, short interviews were 2.2.1 Data Sources
senior management where key conducted in the Branch with
documents and requirements were the coordinators of focus areas The Branch provided and/ or identified the
identified with reference to the to identify what they consider to sources of information listed in Table 1 for
assignment. The documents are listed be the key achievements, lessons this report.
in Table below. learnt, challenges and so on in their
focus areas.
Table 1: Sources of information

Documents
Rio+20 Outcomes: Implications and Relevance for UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services portfolio, July 5-6, 2012 
Strategic Plan Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) 
Thematic Paper on Urban Basic Services 
2 pagers for senior management by focus areas
water and sanitation
urban mobility
urban energy, and
urban waste management
The Future we Want Rio+20 draft declaration 
UN-Habitat’s Strategic Vision/ Framework (2014-2019) 
MTSIP Annual Report Guidance template 
MTSIP Regional and country level reporting templates 
Organisational structure of UN-Habitat and initial list of projects 
Project Based Management Strategy 
Six-monthly Progress Report (January–June, 2012), Implementation of the Medium-term Strategic and Institutional Plan for 2008-2013 through 
Work Programme 2012-2013
January – December 2011: Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) 2008- 
2013
Country activities Report 2009 
External evaluation document including the 35 recommendations 
Project Approval and Accountability System database for financial and project information 
2.2.2 Overview of the Portfolio the first list of projects from the System Regional Office for Latin America and the
(December 2012), of the 67 projects being Caribbean and two by the Arab States and
The Project Approval and Accountability implemented by the Urban Basic Services Europe offices.
System database enabled access to a Branch, 55 were being implemented by
list of all projects by Branch and focus the Branch, two by the Regional Office
area; errors were identified in the list for Africa, seven by the Regional Office
of initiatives under the Branch. As per for Asia and the Pacific, one by the

Table 2: Project data on Project Approval and Accountability System (PAAS)
Worldwide Africa Arab Asia- LAC Europe Total

States Pacific Nos Value in USD
Urban Basic Services Branch 27 11 0 14 0 2 54 170,903,009
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific 0 0 0 7 0 0 7 64,583,39
Regional Office for Africa 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 290,000
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2,741,777
Regional Office for the Arab States 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 2,853,023
Total 27 13 2 22 1 2 67 241,371,205
Based on data accessed on PAAS 2 December2012
However, subsequently, cross-checks and that, while Cooperation Agreements with Regional and Technical Cooperation
queries with listed project coordinators detailed objectives and planned outputs Division (RTCD) for preparing the Annual
revealed that fewerprojects were being were available for some of the initiatives, Country Activities Report. For the
supported by the Branch. Table 2 gives an descriptive details were not available in additional information required for this
overview of the projects. Of these, five are some cases (especially for new initiatives at Report, the sub-heads of best practices,
on urban energy, four on urban mobility, Regional levels such as Myanmar). lessons learned and main challenges and
52 on water and sanitation, one on solid necessary actions required to address them
waste, four on global best practices and were added.
one is not clear. 2.2.3 Template for the Annual
Report Please note that programme details
The next step was to conduct a quick provided in the template below do not
assessment of projects by all four sub- It was essential to finalise a template for include small scale initiatives valued at
themes. The Database enabled access to the Annual Report in consultation with less than USD50,000 as well as those
information on project finances, project the Branch Coordinator before initiating for which details were not available on
start and end dates, funding and partners. communication with the key contact the Project Approval and Accountability
A list was prepared of all initiatives listed people. It was decided to primarily System.
under the Urban Basic Services theme follow the template used by UN-Habitat’s
(as of 2 December 2012), including the
key contacts for the different initiatives.
A review of the list by the Branch Project Code The identified initiatives are listed in a sequence
Coordinator revealed that there was lack Total Cost The total cost, expenditure to 2012 and remaining to be spent
of clarity and information on some of the Expenditure to 2012* beyond January 2013 for the initiatives are listed in the same
initiatives, including whether the initiatives sequence as above
Amount remaining to be spent
actually came under the Branch or were
beyond January 2013*
ongoing. Email communication with the
identified persons helped resolve the
inaccuracies identified.
Further attempts at garnering additional

information on the initiatives revealed

2.2.4 Interviews with Senior §§ Main challenges and necessary actions
Management required to address them
Brief interviews were held with §§ Summary of financial implementation

senior management of the different in 2012
programmatic areas with the objectives
of finalising the list of initiatives under the The report is based on data available in
sub-theme, request for the relevant/ latest the Project Approval and Accountability
progress reports and to get their feedback System, and other relevant documents
on the key issues to be addressed, namely: and reports identified and/or provided
by the Branch and Regional Offices. This
§§ Main project outputs and results includes progress monitoring reports
achieved and evaluations conducted during
2012. This was supplemented through
§§ Best practices interviews with key UN-Habitat staff at
the Headquarters during 26 November-12
§§ Lessons learned December 2012. Additionally, more
detailed information was sought from
§§ Financial issues, partnerships and so on contact persons in Regional Offices and in
the field through e-mails. Public toilets, Nairobi, Kenya © UN-Habitat
§§ Main challenges and necessary actions
required to address them PART B: Report on the state of
urban basic services in 2012 arrangements and partners and the
In the context of the changing urban extent of community involvement
2.3 Structure of the development scenario, specifically the ‘state
Report of the art’ in the areas of water, sanitation, §§ For the remaining part of project
waste management, energy and mobility/ periods, what are the challenges in
The 2012 Annual Report of UN-Habitat’s transport, this part of the Report will terms of all resources (financial, human
Urban Basic Services portfolio is in two focus on how UN-Habitat, specifically the and so on), and other arrangements?
parts as given below. Urban Basic Services Branch and Regional
Offices, is responding to emerging issues §§ What are the necessary actions required
PART A: Progress report on and trends. Specifically, it contextualises at the project and Urban Basic Services
UN-Habitat’s urban basic services the lessons learned and challenges for the Branch/regional office levels to meet the
projects coming years in terms of: identified challenges?
This part highlights the status during
2012 of UN-Habitat initiatives under the §§ Goals’ targets, the outcome of §§ Any other comments/observations that
four programmatic areas under urban Rio+20, the formulation of Strategic can contribute to enhancing the role
basic services. This includes the following Development Goals to replace the of UN-Habitat and Urban Basic Services
information for each initiative: Milliennium ones, the Secretary- Branch as the key urban settlements
General’s Five Year Action Agenda and agency in the coming years?
§§ Main outputs and results achieved so on
This part of the Report is based on
§§ Best practices introduced §§ Key lessons learnt under the information provided by the Branch as
project, including (project strategy well as the ongoing global debates on the
§§ Lessons learned and approach, implementation sector.

Modern Dutch houses with
solar panels on roof Name
© Allard One / Shutterstock

3. Focus on Urban Basic Services
The initiatives under the urban basic services theme during 2012 are presented in this
Section as follows:
Programmatic Area Total

Nos Value in USD
1 Water and sanitation
Water for Cities Programme, which includes Water for African Cities Programme, Water for Asian Cities 18 12,812,542
Programme and Water and Sanitation for Cities in the Latin American and Caribbean Region Programme
Replicable Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative 4 25,578,261
Replicable Mekong Water and Sanitation Initiative 5 988,533
Regional Offices initiatives 8 66,753,824
Global Water Operators’ Partnerships 3 4,399,956
2 Urban Mobility 3 4,031,017
3 Urban Energy 6 3,666,822
4 Urban Waste Management 1 765,457
The support provided by UN-Habitat and partners is having a catalytic

effect on national policy reforms for improved access to basic urban
services, resulting in the adoption of financing mechanisms targeting
poor households including gender mainstreaming and women
empowerment in all operational and normative activities

Safe and clean energy
from charcoal briquettes.
©UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat Focus Area 4

Environmentally sound urban infrastructure and services
Provide policy and technical assistance to partner countries and local autjorities to:
An enabling policy andinstitutional framework to rehabilitate and expand access to environmentally sound urban infrastructure and services to keep pace with
growing demand, especially for unserved and underserved populations, and address climate change and risk prevention, including mitigation and adaptation
Increased institutional effeciency and effectiveness in service provision in order to foster cross-sectoral planning at different levels, facilitatepartnership and
dialogue among various stakeholders, different administrattive levels and partners , and through promotion of decentralized decision-making
Enhance consumer demand for efficient and sustainable basic urban infrastructure and services
Water and sanitation Urban Energy Urban Mobility Urban WasteManagement
• Increased institutional • Increased access to clean • Improved mobility through • Capacity development fpr
capacity for pro-poor and reliable energy services afforadable public solid waste management
gender-sensitive Watsan with a focus on energy transport solutions and • Community based solid
initiatives and policies efficiency appropriate technologies waste management
• Increased flow of • Energy effeciency measures • Improved infrastructure for systems
investments into the Watsan for the built environment pedestrians and cyclists • Wastewater management
sector • Demonstrate use of • Urban design to reduce
• Improved MDG monitoring renewable energy travel needs
mechanisms technologies
Source: UN-Habitat, 2011b

3.1 Water and urban services, resulting in the adoption secondary urban centres in the Lake
Sanitation of financing mechanisms targeting Victoria and Mekong regions
poor households including gender
The urban basic services focus area builds mainstreaming and women empowerment iii. The Global Water Operators
on UN-Habitat’s Water and Sanitation in all operational and normative activities. Partnership Alliance (GWOPA) that
Trust Fund (WSTF) - a consolidated fund The operational activities, funded through complements the normative and
that provides a coordinated programmatic the trust fund, are: operational activities of the Water
approach and an opportunity to donors for and Sanitation Trust Fund, and which
improving their aid affordability. Through i. Water for Cities Programme in aims to improve the knowledge base
this Fund, UN-Habitat has established Africa, Asia and Latin America and of water utilities through a number
strategic partnerships with multilateral the Caribbean, which was initiated of capacity-building initiatives, and by
organizations and regional development in 2002 in Africa and gradually facilitating cross-regional knowledge
banks for capacity development and introduced in the other regions sharing and learning among individual
access to investment funding. The support utilities and networks
provided by UN-Habitat and partners is ii. Replicable/model-setting initiatives
having a catalytic effect on national policy to address the water and sanitation Each of these is described in detail in the
reforms for improved access to basic needs of poor people living in following sections.
water & sanitation

Increased institutional capacity for pro-poor Watsan initiatives, policies and governance frameworks
Increased flow of investments into Watsan sector
Improved MDG monitoring mechanisms
Institutionalization of participatory, transparent, and accountable water governance to benefit the poor
and marginalized
Mainstreaming adaptation to climate change
Promote a human value-based approach to water, sanitation and hygiene education
Promote community based water and sanitation projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the
Carribean
Address regional water chllenges and protect their fresh-water resources through regional model-
setting initiatives in the Lake Victoria znd mekong regions
Water education, with emphasis on public health, hygiene and water resource conservation
Strengthen capacities of water and sanitation providers

Promote a human value-based approach to water,
sanitation and hygiene education ©UN-Habitat

3.1.1 Water for Cities Programme
Project Title Water for Cities Programme

Project Location(s) Africa: Nigeria, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Rwanda, Sudan, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda
Asia: India (Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior Narsullahganj in Madhya Pradesh, Madhepura in Bihar, Cuddalore in
Tamil Nadu, Mangalore in Karnataka, and Support My School Campaign in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal); Nepal {15 small towns,
35 municipalities and 9 peri-urban towns (WAC); 6 districts, 7 municipalities (GSF)}, and Lao PDR (MDG Goal WASH and
partnership with Department of Statistics on Urban Inequities Survey in 17 towns)
Latin America and the Caribbean: Mexico (Municipality of Alpuyeca); Bolivia (Cochabamba, La Paz, Patacamaya, Sacaba, San
Ignacio de Velasco, Santa Cruz, Tiquipaya); Cuba and Ecuador
Project Code W054, W063, W062, W052
W017, W012, W065, W040, W032, W044, W037, T050, W015, W023
W049, F074; F080
Total Cost USD815,868 + 500,000 + 369,518 + 74,347
USD145,000 + 301,000 + 750,000 + 195,659 + 100,000 + 299,895 + 130,000
USD274,843 + 757,281 + 2,741,777
USD5 million (WAC) + USD5 million (GSF)
Part of activities under an Agreement of Cooperation USD130,000
Development partners Governments of Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines,
Thailand and Viet Nam. International Organizations:
Mexican Institute of Water Technologies (IMTA)
Funding partners Global Environment & Technology Foundation Contribution-GETF
WSTF and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC)/ GSF
Asian Development Bank
African Development Bank
Mexican Institute of Water Technologies, Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL)
Coca-Cola, BASF Social Foundation
Partners Government entities, I/NGOs, water and sanitation users’ committees
Mexican Institute of Water Technologies, Ministry of Social Development (SEDESOL)
Municipality of Alpuyeca; Municipality of Tiquipaya;
Starting Date 2005 (WAC) 2010 (GSF)
Completion Date 31-Dec-2013 (WAC) 2015 (GSF)
Expenditure to 2012* USD372,953 + 70,905 + 329,238 + 62,505
USD121,132 + 289,508 + 23,100 + 159,406 + 76,840 + 296,037
USD4,500,000 (WAC) + 900,000 (GSF)
Amount remaining to be USD442,915 + 429,095 + 40,280 + 11,842 + 140,641
spent beyond January 2013* USD23,868 + 11,492 + 726,900 + 36,253 + 23,160 + 3,858
USD300,000 (WAC) + 4,600,000 (GSF)
* Expenditure to 10 December 2012 with PSC on PAAS.

Background and objectives programme focuses on three interlinked The programme is mainly funded by the
Under the Water for Cities Programme, priorities: Spanish Government and, in 2008, a
UN-Habitat has implemented pro-poor strategic partnership was forged with the
initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America §§ Introducing demand management Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
and the Caribbean. The regionally- strategies to improve efficiency of water to achieve greater leverage in the flow
focussed programme supports partner use and give priority to those currently of resources and concerted actions in
countries to improve management deprived of water and sanitation services selected countries across the region. Other
of urban water supply and sanitation partners include multi-lateral agencies,
through a combination of policy dialogue, §§ Scaling-up sanitation provision city-wide national and local governments as well
normative work and on-the-ground through innovative public–private–non- as local and international NGOs (INGOs),
demonstration projects. The initiatives are governmental organization (NGO) universities, water utilities and training
undertaken in partnership with regional partnerships, financing mechanisms and institutions. The programme has been
development Banks, other development appropriate technical options providing technical support in Bolivia,
agencies and the private sector. Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador,
§§ Pro-poor investments in urban water Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.
In Africa, where the first phase supply and sanitation with emphasis on
interventions were started in 1999, the serving the urban poor with piped water Activities and Outcomes
programme was undertaken in Abidjan and formal sanitation facilities The activities and outcomes in the three
(Côte d’Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Addis regions during 2012 are given below.
Ababa (Ethiopia), Dakar (Senegal), In Latin America and the Caribbean, the
Johannesburg (South Africa), Lusaka Programme was initiated after 2006 and
(Zambia) and Nairobi (Kenya). The second aims to increase the flow of investments Africa
phase of the programme, which covers to the water and sanitation sector in the
Nigeria, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, region through strategic partnerships §§ Integrated Community School water
Cameroon, Mali, Rwanda and Uganda, amongst different institutions and and sanitation (WatSan) Project in the
has a multi-faceted strategy to programme organisations, donor countries, central unplanned settlements of Tandale
formulation and implementation. It uses governments, local authorities, the private Chakula Bora, Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania),
a top-down approach to encourage sector, NGOs and local communities. The for which UN-Habitat is collaborating
and support national governments in strategic interventions in Latin America with UNICEF and the World Health
the development of policies, regulations and the Caribbean are: Organisation (WHO) under the One UN
and legal frameworks, and a bottom- Development Assistance Plan. Jointly
up approach to build capacity in local §§ Adaptation to climate change impact with the African Development Bank, UN-
authorities, and strengthen relevant Habitat technical aid has strengthened
institutions through training programmes §§ Promotion of sustainable sanitation the Zanzibar Water Authority’s
and other capacity building measures. networks and technologies procurement management function
and contributed greatly to accelerating
In Asia, the Programme was formally §§ Promotion of sanitation as a business concept implementation of the Zanzibar
launched in March 2003 and is a (Tanzania) Water and Sanitation Project.
collaborative initiative of UN-Habitat, §§ Water governance and civil participation Further, an additional USD560,000
the Government of the Netherlands, the has been secured from the second
Asian Development Bank and countries §§ Integral water and sanitation projects year programme of UN Development
in the region, including Bangladesh, Assistance Plan for the project.
Cambodia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Lao §§ Piloting low-cost innovative technologies
People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal, the for sustainable sanitation in peri-urban §§ UN-Habitat and the Ministry of State for
Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. The areas Development of northern Kenya and

environment significantly and supported
vegetable gardening using the treated
wastewater. The project has been
recognized as a best practice by
Association Malienne des Droits de
l’Homme (the Malian Association of
Human Rights) - an international human
rights organization.
§§ In Rwanda, the construction of 40

ecosan toilets has increased access
to water and sanitation facilities with
emphasis on improving hygiene. Further,
rainwater harvesting systems and urban
hillside protection initiatives have been
introduced to mitigate negative impacts
of development activities in the peri-
urban areas of Kigali.
§§ In Malawi, UN-Habitat promoted the

Water project in South Sudan. © UN-Habitat ecosan technology as a sustainable
sanitation tool in a densely populated
area where space for new pit latrines
other arid zones supported projects for water treatment and safe storage to replace old ones was not available.
provision of adequate and safe drinking (HWTS) products can best be introduced The project initially targeted the
water and improved sanitation in in a national market, and to assess the settlement of Mtandile in Lilongwe.
Mandera County. UN-Habitat mobilized benefits of using HWTS products. This has After community members from other
funds to support the initiative and contributed to a reduction in the cost of low-income settlements visited the
preparatory activities for implementation energy used to boil water by 48 per cent settlement on a study tour, communities
of a WatSan project in a congested per household. In a post-project survey, from ten settlements are now promoting
settlement of Mandera town have been 99 per cent of beneficiaries reported the this technology in their settlements.
completed. project helped them improve their hygiene
and health conditions. The initiative has §§ Quick Impact Project: Urban Water and
Technology transfer to access safe water reduced prevalence of diarrheal disease Sanitation Project in Southern Sudan
in a changing climate. The Solvatten from 27 to 11.6 per cent and resulted in (United Nations Mission in the Republic
(water purification using solar ultraviolet savings of 0.5 Kg of firewood and 0.9 of South Sudan (UNMISS) (01-Aug-2012
(UV) rays) demonstration project was Kg of charcoal per household per day. to 31-Dec-2014).
implemented with a contribution to Water Thus, there is a saving of the equivalent
Sanitation Trust Fund (now Urban Basic to 2.2 tons of CO2 per Solvatten per year. §§ Vacutug Development Project: Post-
Services Trust Fund)from Tillvaxtverket Replication of the project is foreseen using Project Evaluation (20-Feb-2012 to 31-
(Swedish Agency for Economic and local businessmen networks. Dec-2013).
Regional Growth). It was implemented in
a peri-urban area of Africa - Dialakorodji §§ A biogas project, which was Overall, approximately 20,800 people in
area north of Bamako, Mali. The aim implemented at the main Bamako Africa have gained access to water and
was to identify how suitable household prison, has improved the urban sanitation, including 16,000 beneficiaries

of schools and community water campaign has been initiated in 18 other Asian Development Bank-supported
sanitation projects in Tandale Chakula schools in five States. Small Towns Water Supply and
Bora; 230 households (total population Sanitation Sector Project has been
of about 2,300) benefitted in Bamako, Similarly, a Support My School strengthened for sustainable service
Mali from the water purification system programme, financially supported by delivery to the poor
using solar UV project and 1,500 inmates Coca Cola Foundation (Nov 2012-March
in Bamako’s main prison from the biogas 2013), was launched in ten schools of §§ Pro poor WatSan governance was
facilities, and 96 households or about Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The aim is to initiated in ten municipalities
1,000 people benefitted from household improve the learning environment in
water supply connections. schools through: i) improved access to §§ Solid waste management strategy
water and sanitation facilities for girls plans were prepared and integrated
and boys; ii) improved sports facilities in respective municipal periodic
Asia for better health and fitness of students; plans, and capacity for urban solid
iii) improved education facilities such as waste management was enhanced
In India, a project on promotion of libraries and iv) enhanced awareness about through training of municipal staff
Human Values Based Water, Sanitation ground water recharge and promotion of in 15 municipalities
and Hygiene Education (HVWSHE) school-led rain water harvesting. During
with main objective of bringing about 2012, §§ Three municipalities with
behavioural change among students community-managed water supply
and the community through value based §§ Ten schools were selected for the systems have introduced graded
education towards water, sanitation and intervention in consensus with the tariff system to build affordable
hygiene issues was successfully completed. District Education Office services to the poor households
34 teachers training programme and
138 classroom programme for students §§ Relevant teachers, headmasters of §§ A demonstration project on water
were organised in 4 cities where more selected schools were oriented on the supply scheme for low income
than 7,000 students were benefitted. In programme focus, and consumers was completed
addition, UN-Habitat and Coca-Cola India
Pvt Ltd. (CCI), in association with NDTV §§ School level support plan was finalized 2. To achieve the national goal of
(New Delhi Television) - a leading news in consensus with respective schools universal sanitation coverage by
channel and Charities Aid Foundation 2017, the Global Sanitation Fund
(CAF) embarked on a unique nationwide Further, in Nepal, UN-Habitat has (GSF) supported by Water Supply
public service initiative called Support My successfully partnered with the national and Sanitation Collaborative Council
School on 24 January 2011. The aim is to government and with communities for (WSSCC/GSF), is assisting the
create awareness on water and sanitation, community-led initiatives for enabling government of Nepal. The aim is
environment, healthy active living and for sustainable access to water and sanitation. to trigger the sanitation campaign
providing a holistic environment in schools. in selected areas, to work towards
The Programme has covered 63 schools The achievements during 2012 are: achieving Open Defecation Free status
in eight states (Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and sustainable promotion of hygiene
Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, 1. Capacity developed for addressing and behavioural change (01-Oct-2010
Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal) of India water and sanitation challenges in to 31-Sept-2015) through:
benefitting over 32,000 students. This municipalities and small towns:
includes initiatives in 40 schools in four §§ Stimulating community action for
states during 2012. Further, with support §§ The institutional capacity of achieving Open Defecation Free
from Coca Cola – Atlanta, and under a 15 Water Users and Sanitation status
Cooperation Agreement with CAF, the Committees (WUSCs) under the

§§ Developing capacity of stakeholders have been created in 15 schools, water water supply and sanitation national sector
laboratories were established in eight strategy for the emerging towns have
§§ Strengthening the national schools and water testing kits were been developed. Urban inequities survey
sanitation sector strategy provided to all 25 project schools. In focussing on 17 towns is ongoing. In the
addition, teachers and students were process more than 52 water utility staff
§§ Supporting knowledge trained to implement a community have been trained.
management drinking water quality monitoring
programme.
The capacities of five District level Latin America and the Caribbean
Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene §§ The outcomes of the project Enabling
(WASH) Coordination Committees access to quality water and improved The projects in Bolivia are focussed in
were enhanced to meet the sanitation sanitation facilities to Koshi flood poor peri-urban areas of La Paz (through
goal, 240 communities in two districts affected people in Bihar, India and an agreement with the Municipal
achieved Open Defecation Free status Sunsari District, Nepal have been Government); Cochabamba {through five
and Sanitation Strategy Plans were achieved. In India, drinking water projects with the Municipality, INGOs such
prepared for two districts and two sources with iron removal systems were as Water for People and Yaku and the
municipalities. Overall, 500 schools created in 24 locations to provide safe WatSan operator (EMAPA) of the District
with 150,000 students were reached drinking water in 21 wards and 240 of Sacaba} and Santa Cruz (in cooperation
through the sanitation campaign. household toilets were constructed with Plan International).
to provide sanitation facility to every
Following three years of collaboration family in four wards of three Gram §§ In the Patacamaya Municipality, UN-
between UN-Habitat and the BASF Social Panchayats of Kumarkhand Block Habitat, jointly with Plan International,
Foundation, an impact assessment of in Madhepura district. In Haripur completed a Programme in water,
projects supported under the partnership village, 235 single pit toilets and 50 sanitation and solid waste management,
in India and Nepal was completed during hand pumps were successfully put in resulting in 60 percent water coverage
2012. The key findings are as given below. place for the resettled people. Village in Municipality area. This includes
Development Committees and Water expanded water networks and 132 new
§§ Under the Post‐Tsunami Water and Users Committees were established to connections in five neighbourhoods
Sanitation Reconstruction in Cuddalore facilitate project implementation and for benefiting 16,000 inhabitants.
District (India), various innovative the proper maintenance and up keep of Extension of sewerage networks to
approaches have been adopted to the infrastructures created. one neighbourhood has enabled
improve access to safe drinking water approximately 90 households have
and sanitation, specifically for reaching At the regional level, 400 water utility access to sanitation.
vulnerable groups. Improved and secure staff from the participating towns under
water and sanitation services have been the Water for Cities programme in Asia §§ In addition, 11 local schools have new
achieved for at least 11,000 people in and the Mekong Region Water and sanitary modules. Two programmes in
13 Tsunami-affected villages, while a Sanitation Programme (Mek-Watsan) were Human Values Based Water, Sanitation
Disability Resource Centre established at trained in project management, logistics, and Hygiene Education were implemented
Saraswathi Nagar is providing support procurement, gender mainstreaming, in 11 local schools and the community,
to more than 2,000 people with HIV/AIDS awareness, water demand and guides were prepared with the
disabilities. management, operations and American NGO Project Wet. A total of
maintenance. 3,427 students (1,807 boys and 1,620
§§ Under the project on Water and girls) were trained in water, sanitation,
Sanitation Education in Mangalore, In Lao PDR, under the Millennium hygiene, water resources and solid wastes
India, water and sanitation facilities Development Goal WASH initiative, the management in September 2012.

§§ With the aim to reduce waterborne systems. With the provision of the basic is underway while the Women’s Justice
diseases in schools and to create a urban infrastructure, local communities Centre Implementation Guideline project
culture of hygiene and good water use, through consultation have developed a achieved provision of specialized urban
a Human Values Based Water, Sanitation mechanism and agreed to pay for water infrastructure and services to address
and Hygiene Education component was services. The social component that particular needs of women who have been
included in UN-Habitat projects in Bolivia. accompanies the building process had led victims of violence.
To date, more than 20.000 students and them to define the minimum rate to be paid.
1,000 teachers have been trained in this The programme also empowered women Following UN-Habitat’s Human Values
methodology with the use of materials and men to be more active with their Based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
and guides to change bad practices and demands and to work together and protect EducationProject in Mexico in 2010 in the
improve hygiene and health in La Paz, the environment and water resources. context of the National Level Democratic
Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Governance Programme supported
UN-Habitat collaborated with the Gender financially by the Spanish Millennium
§§ The Villa Satelite Norte in Tiquipaya, Water Alliance for providing tools in Development Goal Achievement Fund, a
Cochabamba completed a project mainstreaming gender in water and series of HVBWSHE Initiatives have been
between UN-Habitat, the Italian NGO sanitation projects and developing a undertaken. Alpuyeca - a small town
Yaku and the Municipality in September monitoring mechanism for the integration with intermittent water services and no
2012. The project in a neighbourhood of gender related issues in ongoing water treatment facilities - was selected
included 83 sewerage connections projects in the Region. In March 2012, for a pilot climate resilient Community
and a wastewater treatment plant a final regional workshop organised in Development Centre. The HVBWSHE
with constructed wetlands. A total Ecuador for sharing of experiences, was project in the Municipality of Alpuyeca is
of 52 families have connected to the attended by participants from the UN- being implemented under a Memorandum
treatment plant. Habitat Regional Office, Bolivia, Ecuador, of Understanding (MoU) with the
all Gender Water Alliance facilitators Ministry of Social Development. The aim
§§ A capacity-building programme was involved in the programme. Based on the is to support the initiation of appropriate
completed in two water utilities: EMAPA sharing of experiences from the different technologies for water supply, sanitation
- Patacamaya and EMAPA - Sacaba, countries, a Gender and WatSan matrix and water treatment in the context of an
Cochabamba. A new billing system was developed. urban poverty alleviation programme.
that was introduced in Sacaba in June
2012 has resulted in increased revenue In Mexico, a regional document The right This pilot, which would be autonomous
collection for the utilities. to water was produced in partnership from the main water services and also
with the Inter-American Development be more climate-resilient, is expected
In Cuba, UN-Habitat supported the Bank, and distributed to relevant national to help establish a replication model.
implementation of four projects that partners to raise awareness on the The main activities comprised diagnostic
have built capacity for the production issue. Further, UN-Habitat launched a participatory workshops, feasibility studies,
of local materials that are used for the distance-learning diploma for water and project design, project construction and
construction of houses, social facilities, sanitation operators in partnership with capacity-building processes.
water harvesting tanks and potable water the National Association of Water Utilities
storages and sidewalks. and the Distance Learning Division of the
Faculty of Engineering of the National 3.1.2 Regional Model-Setting
In Ecuador, the programme Governance Autonomous University of Mexico. Initiatives
in the Water and Sanitation Sector–MDGs The topics covered included technical,
enabled 11,000 persons from 2,750 families managerial, legal-regulatory matters, as These are the Lake Victoria Water and
to have access to water services. The families well as billing and accountancy systems Sanitation Initiative, and the Mekong
have been trained to operate the water improvement. Training for the first group Water and Sanitation Initiative.

3.1.2.1 Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Program
Project Title Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Program

Project Location(s) Kericho, Keroka & Isebania (Kenya); Geita, Sengerema & Nansio (Tanzania);
Mayuge, Buwama/Kayabwe, Bukakata & Ntungamo (Uganda);
Nyagatare, Kayonza & Nyanza (Rwanda); Muyinga, Kayanza & Ngozi (Burundi)
Project Code W006, W057, W014, W055, W036
Total Cost USD20,719,970 + 4,244,445 + 553,000 + 225,000 + 60,846
Development partners African Water Facility
Funding partners African Development Bank – AfDB
Global Environment & Technology Foundation Contribution-GETF
European Investment Bank
Coca-Cola Africa Foundation
Implementing Partners LVBC (Lake Victoria Basin Commission on behalf of East African Community) with five Implementing Agencies - Lake
Victoria South Water Services Board LVSWSB (Kenya), Mwanza Urban Water and Sewerage Authority MWAUWASA
(Tanzania), Directorate of Water Development DWD (Uganda), WSSSUI (Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority) EWSA
(Rwanda), Régie de Production et de Distribution de l’Eau et de l’Electricité REGIDESO (Burundi)
Starting Date 01-Dec-2005/ June 2010
Completion Date 31-Dec-2015
Expenditure to 2012* USD20,759,654 + 1,206,288 + 551,759 + 222,037 + 63,343
Amount remaining to be spent USD-39,684 + 3,038,157 + 1,241 + 2,963 + -2,497
Background and objectives will be expanded to other towns in the and sanitation promotion/ social
Lake Victoria, the second-largest lake in basin with subsequent phases. marketing
the world and one of the sources of the
River Nile, is an important trans-boundary The objective of Lake Victoria Water §§ Basic storm water drainage in areas
natural resource in Africa. UN-Habitat’s and Sanitation II is to contribute to the that can be naturally drained. The aim
Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation reduction of pollution flowing into the lake is to drain storm water into suitable
initiativeis one of several programmes in through an improvement in sustainable water courses or into unused public
the region. The programme objective is to water supply and sanitation infrastructure. land where water flow is reduced and
support secondary urban centres around The aim is to provide: the water naturally infiltrates into the
the lake meet water and sanitation related ground
Millennium Development Goals.Phase I §§ Supply systems that can extract, treat,
(2005 onwards) focused on 10 towns in and distribute sufficient quantities §§ Capacity building support to new/
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, while Phase of water in a secure and sustainable existing institutions and service providers
II (2009-2012) has been expanded to manner at local, national and regional levels
cover three towns each from five partner to maintain, operate and sustain the
states, including Rwanda and Burundi §§ Public sanitation facilities, faecal sludge implemented solutions
which joined the East African Community and solid waste management systems,
in 2009. It is expected that the programme and complement them with hygiene

Project Activities, Outputs and (9-Aug-2012 to 09-Mar-2013). The additional sanitation facilities provided
Results portal will enable stakeholders to follow under ongoing sanitation microcredit
Project activities during 2012 include: when, to whom and for what purposes schemes. Further, the establishment
aid and development funds have been of Multi-Stakeholder Forums in ten
§§ Training and capacity building (08- disbursed and with what results. pilot towns has provided a platform for
Dec-2011 to 31-Dec-2015) with the stakeholders to raise awareness about
objectives of: §§ Primary school water supplies and the importance of basic urban services in
sanitation as well as training and alleviating poverty and for local economic
§§ Enhancing local stakeholder capacity-building for improved development.
participation for timely and efficient hygiene practices and operation and
delivery of programme outputs and maintenance of water and sanitation The completion of an integrated
an effective monitoring, quality facilities have been completed in Homa programme of physical infrastructure
assurance and evaluation system Bay, Kisii, and Bondo Municipalities, improvements and capacity-building
Kenya (under Italy Contribution) (02- for water utilities and municipalities has
§§ Enhancing institutional capacity of Nov-2009 to 31-Dec-2012) resulted in significant improvement in
service providers to ensure efficient the reliability and quality of water supply,
delivery of basic services and long §§ The Replenish Africa Initiative, which is sanitation and solid waste management
term sustainability of investments a signature community initiative of the services. The capacity of approximately
Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, supported 800 people was strengthened in project
§§ Promoting hygiene and sanitation the Water for Schools Project in East management. The capacity-building
to maximize public health benefits, Africa (11-Aug-2011 to 31-Dec-2012) programmes incorporated training
strengthen local structures and aims to improve health status and modules in customer care that helped the
to manage public sanitation learning environment in schools. This service providers establish and maintain
programmes and promote options is through activities to strengthen the and operate systems, and undertake
for financing mechanisms for institutional and technical capacity of activities aimed at enhancing customer
household access to sanitation school management and communities satisfaction. An assessment of the impact
to improve access to safe drinking of the capacity-building programme for
§§ Urban catchment management to water and sanitation in schools. water utilities during 2012 has shown
reduce environmental degradation This included hygiene awareness to that five of the eight utilities targeted
and contribute to the long-term promote behavioural change in hygiene are covering all their operation and
sustainability of water resources practices in schools and surrounding maintenance expenses, while three are
communities. About 18,000 students on track to achieve cost recovery after
§§ Gender mainstreaming and have benefited from improved access completing ongoing investments in
provision of services to the poor to water and sanitation facilities in 20 network expansion.
schools in ten towns (Kisumu, Kisii, and
§§ A web and phone-based reporting Rarieda in Kenya; Kampala/Mukono, UN-Habitat’s technical assistance to the
platform to monitor project progress of Jinja/Bugembe, Masaka and Mbarara Lake Victoria Basin Commission supported
the water and sanitation interventions in Uganda; and Mwanza, Bunda and the establishment of a monitoring and
has been introduced through the Bukoba in Tanzania. evaluation system and for mainstreaming
Dutch non-profit Akvo Foundation in gender in the East Africa Community
ten project towns of Phase 1. The aim During 2012, 15,000 people in ten Water and Sanitation Programme.
is to develop an open UN-Habitat– project towns gained access to water and
International Aid Transparency Initiative sanitation services due to expansion in
compliant web portal to strengthen the water network, enhanced capacity of
transparency and efficiency to donors service providers to extend coverage and

3.1.2.2 The Mekong Region Water and Sanitation Programme (Mek-Watsan)
Project Title Water and sanitation (WatSan) initiatives in the Mekong Region
Project Location(s) Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Project Code W033 + W022 + W060 + W056 + W042
Total Cost USD600,000 + 50,000 + 129,000 + 149,533 + 60,000
Development partners
Funding partners Government of the Netherlands UNDP
Governments of partnering countries Fukuoka Research Institute
Coca-Cola (S-E Asia)
Partners Water utilities of the concerned cities and towns Communities
Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Lao PDR Lao Women’s Union
Ministry of Industry and Mines, Cambodia Vietnam Women’s Union
Ministry of Rural Development, Cambodia WHO
Ministry of Construction, Vietnam UNDP
Centre for Development, Cambodia GRET
Starting Date 12.12.2008
Completion Date 30.09.2013
Expenditure to 2012* USD459,794 + 1,687 + 129,000 + 148,261+ 44,951
Amount remaining to be spent USD140,206 + 48,313 + 0 + 1,272 + 15,049
Background and objectives secondary towns, water and sanitation ECHO) for providing emergency
The Mekong Region Water and Sanitation investments linked to sector reform, water, sanitation, hygiene and shelter
(Mek-Watsan) initiative is a collaborative and capacity building within a process assistance to communities affected by
effort between UN-Habitat and the of decentralization. The initiative has Tropical Storm Nock-Ten
Governments of the Mekong region: adopted participatory development of
Kingdom of Cambodia, Lao People’s water supply and sanitation projects and 2. Coca-Cola (South-East Asia) to
Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Socialist implementation of fast-track community- provide water supply in three towns
Republic of Vietnam. The overall objective based water supply and sanitation in Cambodia and Viet Nam
is to support participating Governments initiatives in randomly-selected small
attain their water and sanitation related and medium towns along the economic 3. UNDP, through the Millennium
Millennium Development Goals by 2015. corridors. Mek-Watsan has benefitted Development Goal WaSH programme
more than 400,000 people through its for improved sector coordination
Mek-Watsan promotes: Pro-poor fast-track (125,000) and the roll-out and planning, will potentially trigger
urban water governance; Urban water Phase 1(300,000). Further, the initiative increased investments in water supply
conservation and demand management; has brought about value-additions by in the small towns
Integrated urban environmental sanitation partnering with organisations such as:
and Income generation for the urban poor 4. Fukuoka Habitat Institute to pilot
through community-based water and 1. European Commission (European rain-water harvesting in schools in Lao
sanitation services. The initiative targets Community Humanitarian Office PDR

Mek-Watsan is being expanded in a of staff and implementing partners who a total of 210,000 people will benefit
modular fashion, depending on availability now methodically conduct their activities through improved sanitation and 100,000
of resources and growing demand from and produce high-quality outputs and through improved water supply.
the participating countries. technical works.
b. Building institutional efficiency
Project Activities, Outputs and In Lao PDR, pro-poor sanitation policies and affordability in the provision
Results were adopted by nine towns in eight of urban infrastructure services
The activities undertaken during 2012 are provinces where initial environment Several capacity-building programmes
described below. examination, gender mainstreaming targeting water service providers and
and environmental strategies provided the communities, particularly the mass
a. Creating an enabling policy a basis for pro-poor gender responsive organizations at the village and district
and institutional framework urban governance. More than 100 levels (example: commune sangkat in
for expanding access to urban staff from nine public water utilities Cambodia, Lao Women’s Union and Lao
infrastructure services. were trained in project management; Youth Union in Lao PDR and Viet Nam
In Vietnam, substantial progress has been bidding procedures; production and Women’s Union in Viet Nam) have been
made in building capacity of water utilities maintenance of water treatment plants; conducted in partnership with training
for pro-poor urban water and sanitation water network control and management, centres and training providers.
governance. The water utilities have and financial management. The water
prepared poverty maps and undertaken users’ committees that were set up in In Lao PDR, training programmes in
initial environment examination in four two communities demonstrated increased partnership with the Water Works
towns (Dong Ha, Lao Bao, Cua Viet and community involvement with local public Technical Training Centre involved eight
Quang Tri of Quang Tri Province) in the service providers for water management. water service providers, and included
East–West Economic Corridor, and Cam The water users’ committee established training on production/maintenance of
Ranh of Khanh Hoa Province in the south- and oversee a community-based solid water treatment plants and financial
central region. The water utilities have also waste management project that has management. The training programmes
developed a Urban Water Conservation benefitted around 2,100 people. The on issues related to project management,
and Demand Management strategy, beneficiaries of the initiative have exhibited gender mainstreaming, water quality
which will be instrumental in reducing increased awareness and capacity to monitoring and management of revolving
unaccounted for water in the participating engage in sustainable environmental funds for sanitation revolved around
towns. Further, trainings on gender and sanitation issues. A demand and building capacities of local authorities,
mainstreaming, HIV/AIDS and artisans’ conservation strategy developed in two such as the Commune Councils and the
crafts have been conducted. The rapid towns has resulted in increased technical Water and Sanitation Committees. These
increase in water supply and sanitation and social awareness on the issues related have enhanced capacities of the staff for
coverage in the project areas show to lowering unaccounted for water. sustainable maintenance of the systems.
increased knowledge, skills and awareness In Viet Nam, similar training programmes
of utility staff and the participating The ongoing projects in 17 towns have have resulted in increased capacity of
commune representatives. successfully engaged local authorities water service providers in four towns.
and communities, and resulted in higher As a result of the initiative, four water
In Cambodia, intensive training was demand for services and community service providers in Lao PDR and four in
conducted on water quality management; participation. One clear indicator of Viet Nam are recovering operations and
water demand management; Human success of the roll out of is that the maintenance costs.
Values Based Water, Sanitation and current phase of Mek-Watsan will benefit
Hygiene Education, and on operational approximately 25,000 more people for
management. The training activities have sanitation and 10,000 for water supply.
greatly augmented the technical skills It is envisaged that by September 2013,

c. Enhanced consumer demand for
environmentally sustainable basic
infrastructure and services
In the three Mekong countries, the
community-based approach has resulted
in generating greater awareness and
increased consumer demand for basic
water and sanitation services. During
2012, 36,390 people benefitted from
improved water supply and 30,141
benefitted from improved sanitation in
Lao PDR; 92,510 people benefitted from
improved sanitation in Cambodia; 32,000
benefitted from improved water supply
and 80,600 from improved sanitation
in Viet Nam. Additionally, 3,775 people
in Viet Nam and 2,100 people in Lao © UN-Habitat
PDR have benefitted from solid waste
management initiatives. Lessons learned Capacity building
A detailed training assessment conducted
Further, Human Values Based Water, a. Initial project duration for rolling in August/September 2009 under the
Sanitation and Hygiene Education has out Phase 1 was ambitious aegis of the Mek-Watsan programme
been established as an important tool Experience shows that the initial three-year led to identification of additional training
to generate positive behavioural change timeline for roll-out of Phase 1 of Mek- initiatives for different service providers.
in the Mekong region. Capacity of staff Watsan was very ambitious. Future project This included capacity building on operation
from 17 water utilities was enhanced plans need to consider factors such as time and maintenance, financial management,
through participation in Human Values required for: extensive negotiations with procurement, water demand management,
Based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene governments to secure their support and poverty mapping, gender mainstreaming,
Education training. Further, the water for signing of MoUs; extensive community/ Human Values Based Water, Sanitation and
classrooms constructed in all the countries stakeholder mobilization required for Hygiene Educationand Goals monitoring.
are enabling active participation of securing adequate participation and Subsequently, training was provided by
school children and local communities. building/strengthening capacities of local local training providers and resource
Discussions are ongoing with UNICEF for implementing partners for community centres. This included strategic partnerships
a possible partnership in the region for mobilization and project management. with other organizations working on
scaling-up of the initiative. Further work In addition, unanticipated events such WatSan issues, and additional requirements
on development of knowledge products as the floods that severely affect many for technical, project management and
and an expert group meeting on Human project areas, require project staff time and sanitation related training. UN-Habitat
Values Based Water, Sanitation and resources for rehabilitation and relief efforts. will therefore be focusing on resource
Hygiene Educationhave been completed in mobilisation for long term capacity building
November 2012. b. More focus on long-term capacity in the identified areas.
building and sector reform
There is an increased understanding and Sector reforms
appreciation that Mek-Watsan should In April 2009, the Hanoi Consultations,
focus more on long-term capacity building which involved Mekong region
and sector reform activities. Governments and other stakeholders,

helped frame the current Mek-Watsan vulnerable households that are affected multiple stakeholders for mobilising
interventions against the backdrop of more adversely by the high inflation communities and partnering with other
on-going sector reforms, particularly and resultant increases in commodity local agencies also results in delays. UN-
for decentralisation. Building on the prices. Further, the construction time for Habitat Country Technical Advisors are
commitment made at the Hanoi sanitation facilities for poor and vulnerable working closely with the public agency
Declaration, UN-Habitat has continuously households is more protracted because staff to promote involvement of local
engaged with national and local the households spend more time earning authorities and other stakeholders.
government officials at consultations, a livelihood and because it is difficult for
workshops and policy discussions. UN- them to save money for the sanitation Severe weather events: Experience
Habitat and UNDP are developing a joint facilities. In addition, many of these from the severe storm in the Mekong
project to develop an urban WatSan sector households comprise very old or very region underwent in the last quarter of
strategy in Lao PDR. In Viet Nam, activities young members who cannot undertake 2011 indicates that completion of project
related to sector assessment and strategies construction work and therefore require activities, especially in locations such as in
have been included in the One-UN Plan. hiring of paid labourers. The design of the Cambodia where almost all project towns
Mek-Watsan revolving funds ensures that were inundated, can be severely affected.
c) Review efficacy of micro-financing extremely poor and vulnerable households In Cambodia, construction activities that
tools such as revolving funds in receive maximum benefit. A combination had to be postponed to 2012 will be
increasing water and sanitation of grant and revolving funds dependent completed by September 2013.
coverage on household incomes varies so that some
The revolving funds mechanism, including households receive a grant to cover the Climate Change: The increase in average
revolving funds/ grants to support total expense. temperature during the dry season from
household connections to the main February to April in Luang Prabang and
network, which the provincial water Low reporting capacity of water other towns in Lao PDR has resulted in
supply providers and their corresponding service providers: A significant factor water sources, including springs holding
branches were responsible for establishing for delays in implementation has been the lesser water than in previous years. In
and managing, has been relatively low capacity of water service providers 2012, the capacity of water sources was
straightforward with repayments tied to to produce outputs in English, especially deemed so low as to necessitate the
the water bills. The establishment of the at the district level. UN-Habitat therefore postponement of the expansion of water
revolving funds for sanitation facilities conducted training on reporting and supply to the remaining two villages
required extensive community mobilization report writing for relevant staff of the in the project area. UN-Habitat will be
and follow up with local WatSan user water service providers, shared sample collaborating with the Lao Water Supply
committees or NGOs managing the funds. project reports of similar activities from State Enterprise, Nampapa Nakhonluang
UN-Habitat has recognized the need for previous projects with implementing to ascertain the vulnerability of the
studying the actual efficacy of micro- partners. In addition, reporting templates project area to climate change. Micro-
financing tools, and is planning a review have been designed by Country Technical level changes in climate and the capacity
and assessment of the revolving funds and Advisors to aid preparation of reports, of water resources will be recorded, and
grants for water supply and for sanitation. and implementing partners have been the water utility is being encouraged to
encouraged to prepare detailed reports in develop a long-term strategy to protect
Main challenges and necessary their native language with a summary in water resources to ensure access to water
actions required to address them English. under changed climate conditions.
Mobilising Community contribution: Low coordination capacity of service

The pro-poor emphasis results in providers with stakeholders: The
challenges, especially for enabling limited capacity of public water service
access of services to very poor and providers to coordinate effectively with

3.1.3 Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance - GWOPA
Project Title Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance – GWOPA

Project Location(s) Various
Project Code W026, W043, W048
Total Cost USD3,514,075 + 134,810 + 751,071
Development partners International agencies, regional development banks and funding agencies, utility associations, and a wide range of
stakeholders from the water supply and sanitation sector
Funding partners • Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (USD3,514,075, From 01-Mar-2010 to 31-Dec-2012)
• ACCD - Agència Catalana de Cooperació al Desenvolupament/ Catalan Development Cooperation Agency
(USD134,810, From 27-Nov-2011 to 31-Dec-2012)
• AFD - Agence Française de Développement/ French Development Agency (USD751,071; From 01-Jan-2011 to 31-
Dec-2014)- staff position
Partners
Starting Date 01-Mar-2010
Expenditure to 2012* USD2,813,350 +105,235 + 87,367
Amount remaining to be spent USD700,725 + 29,575 + 663,704
The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships of Water Operators’ Partnerships the poor, non-revenue water and water
Alliance supported by a global network practices, derive lessons and models safety planning.
of partners and members, is a network of from experiences, and package them
water and sanitation operators, regulators, for use by other such partnerships and §§ Universalizing legal mechanisms that
financial institutions, research facilities, civil practitioners would enable utilities to garner funds
society and NGOs. Its goal is to promote for decentralized cooperation, and to
and enable impactful Water Operators’ §§ Supporting peer learning through connect utilities already benefitting from
Partnerships by creating awareness about electronic brokering, networking and such mechanisms
them, producing and sharing knowledge resource sharing between utilities on
and tools, and rallying the funds and issues of common concern §§ Advocacy, communications and alliance
political backing to enable effective building
practice. Alliance activities include: §§ Securing partners to identify and raise
funds for Water Operators’ Partnerships Activities, Project Outputs and
§§ Supporting the establishing of Water and directly assist those implementing Results
Operators’ Partnerships Platforms to foster them to access appropriate funding After its first meeting in January 2009,
benchmarking, information exchange, mechanisms the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships
joint learning and twinning between Alliance has established and expanded its
operators at country or regional level §§ Supporting capacity building partner networks with partners at both regional
organizations to support training and global levels to develop knowledge
§§ Sharing expertise through peer support wherein operators take the role of tools, deliver training, facilitate brokering
to gain a better global overview experts. Training topics include access to and identify financing options. It currently

has more than 2,300 subscribers for its of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The with water associations in Bangladesh,
e-Newsletter, provides significant support partnership aimed to improve USUG’s India, Indonesia and the Philippines to
to strengthen regional and national operations and help develop it into share their benchmarking data on the
platforms for water operators in Africa, an autonomous and financially Operators’ Profile.
Arab countries, Asia and the Pacific, Latin sustainable water utility. At the
America and the Caribbean, and South end of three years, performance §§ The profiles of nine water operators
East Europe. The activities undertaken improvement has been demonstrated from Pakistan have been uploaded
during 2012 are described below. in the pilot projects, water quality for on the Global Water Operators’
more 29,000 residents has improved, Partnerships Alliance website. A
§§ The Alliance documented the following tariffs increased, and new software further ten water utilities have joined
three Asian case studies on Water is in use. Further, USUG is in a better the national platform for Water
Operators’ Partnerships, launched them position to plan and make sound Operators Partnerships. which was
during the sixth World Water Forum in financial decisions on investment launched at the Pakistan Urban Forum
Marseille (March 2012) and have now needed to implement the successful 2011 and is supported by UN-Habitat
posted them online: initiatives on a city-wide basis. with a National Coordinator and
four associates for working in four
i. Metro-Cebu Water District and The Alliance has initiated the process of provinces. The Alliance is in the process
City West Water, under which non- compiling four more case studies in Africa of identifying a pilot Water Owners’
revenue water was reduced in the using the same methodology used in Asia. Partnership between operators from
pilot area, new techniques (for Pakistan and Asia in cooperation with
example for asset management) and §§ Good practices were shared with water WaterLinks (the regional Water Owners’
policy reform and reorganization operators and other UN-Habitat partners Partnership platform for Asia and the
introduced. Metro Cebu Water District at various international events including Pacific) and the Asian Development
is engaging with other water districts the 16th African Water Association Bank.
in the Philippines, while West Water Congress held in Marrakesh, Morocco
is undertaking other Water Operators (19-24 February 2012), the sixth World §§ In the Pacific, the Alliance has initiated
Partnerships Water Forum held in Marseille, France, the process for implementing one
(12-17 March 2012); the 4th Africa pilot Water Owners’ Partnership on
ii. Indah Water Konsortium – Kuala Water Week held in Cairo, Egypt, (14- climate change adaptation between
Lumpur, Malaysia and PDAM Tirtanadi 18 May 2012), Singapore International a WatSan operator from Fiji and an
– Medan, Indonesia under which Water Week in July 2012; Stockholm Australian utility in cooperation with
more than 4,000 new connections World Water Week in August 2012 the WaterLinks and Cities for Climate
were made. Capacity raised in PDAM and World Urban Forum in Naples in Change Initiative of UN-Habitat.
Tirtanadi to improve sanitation strategy September 2012.
and management on behalf of the §§ In Central Asia, the Alliance and UNECE
community. The partnership with IWK §§ The Water Operators’ Partnerships agreed on facilitating one to two pilot
is continuing and it is engaging in profiles database was launched. It is Water Owners’ Partnership to help
further WOPs in Asia. PDAM Tirtanadi now referencing more than 70 past utilities adhere to the Water and Health
has adopted new practices, and the and ongoing initiatives, and has gained Protocol that UNECE is implementing in
toolkit has been adapted for use in such good visibility that the Alliance the region.
Philippines and Vietnam. is being contacted by beneficiaries
to post information online. Besides §§ A benchmarking exercise between
iii. Vitens-Evides International of collecting benchmarking data of ten Serbian water operators was launched
Netherlands and the Water Supply water and sanitation utilities from the under the umbrella of WOP-SEE, the
and Sewerage Authority (USUG) Pacific Region, it has started discussing (Regional Water Owners’ Partnership

and Sewerage Authority, including iii) SDE (Senegal) – SEG (Guinea); iv)
the replacement of 4,000 metres and SDE (Senegal) – SNDE (Mauritania); v)
training on non-revenue water. RandWater (South Africa) – River State
(Nigeria); vi) Swazi-Water (Swaziland)
§§ As part of the development of – KAFUBU (Zambia); vii) Swazi-Water
management toolkits for water (Swaziland) – NKANA (Zambia); viii)
operators, the Alliance designed a NWSC (Uganda) – Thika Water (Kenya);
manual for low-cost remote urban ix) NWSC (Uganda) – GWC (Ghana)
analysis, including classification of and x) NWSC (Uganda) – Ogun State
neighbourhoods according to socio- (Nigeria).
economic status. This was piloted in
Nairobi, Kenya, during 2012. A related Best Practice
report on an assessment of various The good practice that evolved during
alternative indicators for monitoring 2012 was the developing of a Water
coverage of improved water and Owners’ Partnership Model and literature
sanitation services is being finalized. on how to engage with and implement
Water Owners’ Partnerships. The
§§ A regional training course for Arab literature will be finalised and published
operators on Developing a Water Safety during 2013. Further, the Global Water
© UN-Habitat Plan (WSP) was implemented in January Operators’ Partnerships Alliance is to be
where 39 staff of utilities were trained hosted from 2013 to 2017 by the City
for leading the process of developing of Barcelona - an innovative means of
and applying a Water Safety Plan in mobilizing financial resources and covering
platform in South Eastern Europe) their home institutions. In Morocco, staff, administration and travel costs.
in collaboration with International Training was organized in collaboration
Benchmarking Network of Water and with the United Nations Economic Lessons learned
Sanitation Utilities (IBNet) and the and Social Commission for Western The documentation as well as the
World Bank. This involved assessing the Asia (UN-ESCWA), the Arab Countries methodology used for the documentation
performance of the local water sector Water Utilities Association (ACWUA) of three Asian case-studies on Water
to be used as a baseline to measure and the National Office for Drinking Owners’ Partnerships have contributed
consumers’ satisfaction and quality Water Supply (ONEP) for ten operators. to identification of issues that need to be
of service, with the perspective of Further, one Water Safety Plan-focused considered by them.
developing performance improvement Water Owners’ Partnership was initiated
plans within Water Owners’ Partnership. between Bethlehem and Morocco. Main challenges and necessary
The training was also conducted for actions required to address them
§§ A Water Owners’ Partnership was operators in Latin America and the The key challenges for the coming years
established jointly by Mwanza Urban Caribbean in November where 30 staff are related to the transition required from
Water and Sewerage Authority of utilities participated. Millennium to Strategic Development
(Tanzania) and DUNEA - the Dune Goals while continuing to work towards
Water Company (The Netherlands). The §§ In Africa, GWOPA started the achieving the Millennium Targets in Sub-
Alliance brokered and contributed to implementation of the following ten Saharan Africa, as well as in continuing
an EU proposal amounting to Euros 1.3 Water Owners’ Partnerships supported with the development and dissemination
million for this partnership. Significant by African Water Facility: i) ONEA of knowledge regarding the functioning of
progress has been achieved in building (Burkina Faso) – SONEB (Benin); ii) Water Owners’ Partnerships.
capacity of the Mwanza Urban Water SDE (Senegal) – REGIDESO (DRC);

3.1.4 Asia-Pacific Region, Bangladesh
Project Title Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction (UPPR), Bangladesh

Project Location(s) 24 towns and cities in Bangladesh
Project Code D220
Total Cost USD42,361,183
Development partners UNDP, DFID
Funding partners DFID
Partners Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Local Government Engineering
Department (LGED), 30 Cities and Towns
Starting Date 01-May-08
Completion Date 31 August 2014
Expenditure to 2012* USD29,884,361
Amount remaining to be spent beyond USD12,476,822
January 2013*
Background and objectives such as water, sanitation, electricity, drains for settlement improvement and socio-
Bangladesh, one of the fastest urbanizing and so on, have very cramped living economic activities. Communities execute
countries in the world, has an urban conditions and are built on precarious the contracts and manage project funds.
population of 44 million (2010), of whom public and private land without permission
an estimated 9.4 million people (21.3 from the landowners. This puts them Project Activities, Outputs and
per cent of the population) are absolute constantly at threat of eviction. Results
poor who consume less than 2,122 Kcal The project implementation started in
per day. Since independence in 1974, The Urban Partnerships for Poverty 2008, and the activities undertaken
Bangladesh’s urban population has grown Reduction (UPPR) project supports the during 2012 focused on mobilising
at about six per cent per annum while the implementation of strategies that respond urban poor communities and providing
national population grew at 2.2 per cent. to the challenges of urban poverty capacity building and technical support
Some 60 per cent of the urban population reduction in the context of Bangladesh’s for establishment of community savings
of 37 million people is concentrated in rapid urbanisation. The project’s goal is groups and preparation of community
the four largest cities: Dhaka, Chittagong, ‘to reduce urban poverty in Bangladesh’ action plans, databases and community
Khulna and Rajshahi. Dhaka - the and its objective is ‘to improve the proposals for physical, economic and social
epicentre of the country’s urban expansion livelihoods and living conditions of 3 development. In addition, the communities
- is said to be the fastest-growing city in million urban poor and extremely poor were supported for meeting demands
the world. In the absence of affordable people, especially women and children’. for water supply, sanitation, drainage,
housing, poor migrants from rural areas The project supports local capacity for electricity and public lighting, waste
move into established informal housing the development and implementation of management, road access and community
or construct new ones in existing informal poverty reduction strategies at town levels, facilities through participatory processes.
settlements. While physical conditions and has as its foundation, community
vary significantly from slum to slum, they action planning from which prioritised
typically lack access to basic public services community contracts are developed

Specifically: comprising about 750,000 households, show that seasonal flooding and water
have received one or more living- logging is a priority that largely remains
§§ Some 3.25 million poor and extremely condition-improving asset. These include unresolved. In 2013 the programme will
poor people in 786,000 households community and household level assets, address this problem by increasing the
were covered under the Urban especially water supply, sanitation, budget for land development and storm
Partnerships for Poverty Reduction as of footpaths and drains. The few drainage works.
December 2012. Some 74 per cent of Community Development Councils that
all covered households are ‘mobilized’ joined the programme in 2012 have not Main challenges and necessary
into one of the 23,000 Primary Groups yet received these benefits. actions required to address them
(savings-and-loans groups) with at Accelerating urbanization, with the largest
least one household member actively Lessons learned areas growing at a faster rate than the
participating in monthly meetings. Some smaller ones, and insufficient public sector
355,000 Primary Group members had Upscale tested initiatives and regulations and investment are leading to
joined a savings-and-credit group, which technologies: The programme successfully negative externalities and environmental
had saved about USD4.6 million and piloted water-quality testing, drinking water degradation. Conversely, there is higher
provided loans to members. purification and bottling, community-wide interest in urban poverty reduction.
networked and metered water distribution,
§§ The Urban Partnerships for Poverty improved sanitation technologies such as The increased urban poor population,
Reduction programme covered an faecal sludge management and bio-gas, especially migrants in existing and new
additional 100,000 households (450,000 and community-produced inter-locking urban areas, have limited or no marketable
people), of which 82 per cent joined compressed soil blocks. In 2013, the skills and hence are hindered in getting
Primary Groups, and of which 46 per programme will develop a plan and upscale employed. Further, coordination, avoiding
cent joined savings and credit groups. the most appropriate of these solutions. of overlaps and realizing opportunities
for synergies with other urban sector
§§ A total of 1,276 community contracts Address seasonal flooding and water interventions is an issue, as is ensuring
were processed for implementation logging: Settlement surveys, community sustainability of project results and
of urban services projects through action plans, and direct observations institutionalizing project processes.
community-led approach and; plans and
contracts for 11,926 latrines targeting
53,232 households processed. In
addition, 12 schools benefitted from
the WASH programme, 3.4 km of water
supply line was extended, the platform
around the water supply points in 2,744
locations was constructed and 2.9 km
of drains were covered with slabs. The
programme processed plans for the
improvement of 5,931 houses and
resettling of 268 evicted households.
§§ A survey of community infrastructure

provided in the past five years revealed
that more than 95 per cent of all Urban
Partnerships for Poverty Reduction
Community Development Councils, Local sludge management technology equipment -Bangladesh © UN-Habitat

3.1.5 Africa Region, Malawi
Project Title Urban Household Sanitation Improvement Project

Project Location(s) Lilongwe
Project Code C271
Total Cost USD190,000
Development partners
Funding partners UNDP Resident Representative Malawi
Partners • Malawi Homeless Peoples Federation
• Implementing partner: Centre for Community Organisation and Development,
• Lilongwe City Council
• Department of Sanitation, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development
Starting Date 01-Jul-2010
Expenditure to 2012* USD175,924
Amount remaining to be spent beyond January 2013* USD14,076
* Expenditure to10 December 2012 with PSC on PAAS.
Background and objectives (Mchenga fund), and benefit another §§ Increasing access to sanitation facilities
The sanitation coverage for about 20 1,000 beneficiaries by the end of the by households and communities through
per cent of Malawi’s 13 million urban life span of the fund. The project, which the access to capital in the form of
population is estimated at 66 per cent. is working in collaboration with the sustainable sanitation improvement loans
Due to the lack of access to appropriate Malawi Homeless Peoples Federation,
sanitation facilities, the urban poor Centre for Community Organisation §§ Improving community awareness and
in Lilongwe and other cities use open and Development (as the implementing commitment to improve sanitation and
spaces, drainage channels, roadsides or partner), Lilongwe City Council and hygiene practices
garbage heaps for defecation. The poor Ministry of Irrigation and Water
access to sanitation has a particularly Development through its Department of §§ Strengthening dialogue between
negative effect on women and girls. Sanitation, is expected to inform evidence- poor urban communities and local
Although the poor sanitation situation based policy reform. and national governments to discuss
combined with the consumption of solutions to closing sanitation gaps in
water of poor quality is leading to high Project Activities, Outputs and informal areas
incidences of water-related diseases and Results
recurrent outbreaks of cholera in informal The programme activities include: §§ Use the Project as a learning opportunity
settlements, investment in sanitation is for potential replication
extremely low because of the low priority §§ Establishing businesses led by women
placed on it. and unemployed youths that capitalize The activities undertaken during 2012 are
on the growing market opportunity described below.
The Urban Household Sanitation to provide low cost and sustainable
Improvement Project is expected to directly sanitation facilities and services in §§ A total of 191 ecosan facilities were
benefit 350 households who will access informal areas constructed by 191 households using
loans from the sanitation revolving fund sanitation improvement loans

§§ Strengthened dialogue between poor
urban communities and local and
national government on solution to
sanitation issues in informal settlements
§§ The project has informed the Lilongwe

Municipal Waste Management Policy
and Bylaw. The policy and bylaw were
formulated under another project called
Lilongwe Waste for Wealth (funded by
UNDP but implemented by UN-Habitat).
Lessons learned
§§ Community to community exchanges
are most effective in popularising the
approach in those which have not
adopted it. This was demonstrated by ten
communities within Lilongwe City that
Water Utility training workshop in Uganda © UN-Habitat participated in an exposure visit; some of
whom have now adopted the technology.
§§ Four mobilisation meetings were informal settlements (Mtandire and Area §§ Using community-based providers
organised ando average, 55 participants 23), who were trained in carpentry and of sanitation facilities (builders,
attended of whom 85 per cent were later made doors for all ecosan toilets. carpenters and so on) rather than
women external contractors is important
§§ Demonstration crop garden was for sustainability, local capacity
§§ Three citywide meetings were organised supported to show the benefits of enhancement and local employment.
to popularise the approach and humanure from ecosan toilets in
experiences farming Main challenges and necessary
actions required to address them
§§ In all, 48 communities’ exchange visits The results achieved during the year are: The key challenges are:
were organised for knowledge transfer
and exposure to mobilisation techniques §§ Businesses led by women and §§ Ecosan technology is fairly new and
unemployed youths capitalised on the its wide scale adoption requires a lot
§§ Some 10,000 information brochures opportunity to provide low cost and of awareness, capacity building and
were printed and distributed sustainable sanitation facilities and demonstration of benefits to households
services in informal areas and communities
§§ Radio outreach programmes were
broadcast on two national radio outlets §§ Increased access of households to §§ This small project aimed to demonstrate
(Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and sanitation facilities through sanitation what is possible. Now, the challenge is of
Zodiak Broadcasting Service) improvement loans mobilising resources to scale it up within
Lilongwe and beyond to other cities. A
§§ Of the 16 builders trained under the §§ Improved community and household full proposal to this effect was formulated
capacity and entrepreneurship training commitment to improve sanitation and following an EU call for sanitation
initiative. ten were women from two hygiene practices proposals but was not successful.

3.1.6 Arab States, Iraq
Project Title Water & Sanitation Master Planning & Capacity building Programme
Project Location(s) Anbar, Thi-Qar and Suleimaniyah governorates and 3 adjacent governorates Salah al-Din, Wassit and Erbil
Project Code N041
Total Cost USD1,496,434
Development partners UNDG/ Iraq Trust Fund/ BRSP/UND
Funding partners UNDG Iraq Trust Fund
Partners UNDP (lead), UNICEF, WHO
Starting Date 02-Dec-09
Completion Date 31-October-12
Expenditure to 2012* USD1,410,529
Amount remaining to be spent USD85,905
Background and objectives and give capacity building support to six governorates, and to conduct study
The water supply, wastewater and solid three other adjacent governorates that tours to waste management facilities in
waste systems in urban areas of Iraq will formulate their own master plans. other Middle Eastern countries. Further,
were in very poor condition and even The project in six governorates aims to selected Iraqi officials will be supported to
non-existent in many rural districts. Water strengthen WatSan management and attend international waste management
treatment was sporadic and, in urban planning capacities of: conferences. The beneficiaries will include
areas, many people had to rely on private staff from the Ministry of Environment,
vendors for potable water. Although 1 Ministry of Municipalities and Public Ministry of Health, Governorate
numerous projects in WatSan were Works, Governorate Departments Departments, Governorate Councils and
implemented, limited attention was paid and Governors’ Offices for improved the Governor’s Offices.
to a holistic and comprehensive Iraq-driven water, waste water and solid waste
approach that would address current services and planning The activities undertaken during 2012
challenges in a sustainable manner. With were:
the government’s emphasis on upgrading 2 Ministry of Municipalities and Public
national infrastructure to meet immediate Works, Ministry of Health, Ministry §§ Training on Integrated Solid
and future requirements, there was a need of Environment, Governorate Waste Management was planned
to strengthen human resources (technical, Departments and Governors’ Offices for Government of Iraq sector
managerial and financial) and the for improved water quality and representatives to provide basic
institutional framework, and address the personal hygiene orientation through introduction of
capacity gap in solid waste collection. best practices in preventive solid waste
Project Activities, Outputs and management, management of organic
The aim of the WatSan Master Planning Results waste, energy recovery, incineration
and Capacity building Programme was Main activity is to provide training in and hazardous waste. The training was
to benefit the governorates of Anbar, technical skills for up to 60 officials from delivered for 50 mid-management and
Suleimaniyah and Thiqar through direct the Ministry of Municipalities and Public operational-level representatives of the
physical and technical interventions Works waste management from the six governorates. Due to favourable

implementation of projects. Thus,
Involvement of senior government staff as part mapping may require extended timelines
and additional capacity development
of Technical Working Groups has contributed to for collecting information that is
their capacity development and has promoted not available or whose reliability is
questionable.
national ownership
Main challenges and necessary
actions required to address them
The key challenges are:
technical conditions and proximity, the coordination mechanisms, delays in §§ Coordination between the multiple UN
training was delivered in Turkey from 22 decision making, the security environment Agencies is time-consuming
April to 5 May 2012 by Chemonics & BC of all locations and factor in local
Berlin Companies. disturbances and change §§ Building communication, trust
and partnerships in/with multiple
§§ Specialized training on Integrated §§ Building of robust relationships with Governorates takes time
Solid Waste Management, focussing the Federal Government as well as
on landfill design and rehabilitation, the target governorates are key to §§ During early discussions with the various
environmental pollution and implementation of such projects, and Governorates, the Al Anbar Governorate
involvement of private sector and civil are essential for delivering project decided not to participate in the WatSan
society was conducted in Amman, outputs Master Plan
Jordan, during October 2012 for 13
engineers from from Municipality, §§ Coordination and participation of §§ In areas of conflict, there are additional
Environment and Health Departments of Boards and Steering Committees within constraints such as the overall security
the six governorates.) different mechanisms ensures that all situation, limited red zone movement
parties are aware of what is going on in and access to the six Governorates,
Lessons learned the project, and helps build consensus working sites, ministries and other
The major lessons learned during locations. Security and curfews were a
Programme implementation were: §§ The Training of Trainers approach particular constraint in Thi-Qar.
enhanced and assisted in capacity
§§ Involvement of senior government staff development of officials §§ Major information gaps identified
as part of Technical Working Groups during implementation resulted in
has contributed to their capacity §§ Coordination meetings assist in smooth delays in decision making
development and has promoted national implementation if put in place before
ownership initiation of the different project Actions to address challenges:
components Lessons learned from other joint projects
§§ Exposure of senior government staff and reflect a similar pattern, thus all efforts
decision-makers to global best practices §§ Application of different scenarios during were being made to stay on schedule.
has enabled acceptance of modern planning and project design is important All efforts were made to ensure good
technologies/ approaches so as to clarify actions and build communication through consensus-
consensus building meetings, workshops, and
§§ The initial timelines for project completion activities as well as advocacy to ensure
should take into consideration information §§ Reliability of data and other information support to the implementation of activities
gaps, capacities of contractors, is required to plan the design and and success of project.

3.2 Urban Energy
Urban Energy
Increase access to clean reliable energy services for the urban poor with a focus on energy efficiency
Energy efficiency measures for the built environment to reduce CO2 emissions while mitigating climate
change
Demonstrate use if renewable energy technologies
Mainstream ennergy efficiency measures into housing policies, building codes ad building practices
Advocacy and raising awareness on the importance of energy for sustainable and equitable
development
Decentralized power generation systems through clean energy centers
Use Watsan initiatives to introduce renewable energy technologies
Demonstration of how
solar lanterns work
© UN-Habitat
Project Titles Energy

Project Location(s) Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania (East Africa); Malawi, Cameroon, the Central Africa Republic, Sierra Leone, Mali
and Ibadan (Nigeria) - Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Jiangyin (China)
Project Code W051 + 9164 + A118_D + I004 + D323 + W064
Total Cost USD2,793,000 + 445,000 + 212,553 + 50,000 + 107,138 + 59,131
Development partners UNEP-DGEF/ UNEP/GEF Secretariat – Kenya
Funding partners AT-Verband/ AT-Association
Partners East African Community Countries
Municipalities and local governments
Universities, Professional Associations and Think Tanks
NGOs and the Private sector
Starting Date 15-Aug-2011
Expenditure to 2012* USD308,710 + 341,015 + 215,354 + 6,739 + 84,017 + 21,451
Amount remaining to be spent USD2,484,290 + 103,985 + -2,801 + 43,261 + 23,121 + 37,680

Background and objectives ii. The GENUS Energy component Africa through Renewable Energy and
Energy, which is recognised as a aims to support the design and Energy Efficiency was held in Accra from
prerequisite for development that implementation of energy-access 29 to 31 October 2012.
contributes to poverty eradication, health programs and projects for the urban
and for accessing basic human needs, is poor worldwide through exchange §§ Global Energy Network for the Urban
required for sustainability in transport and and dissemination of best practices Settlements - Through numerous
human settlements. Energy is essential and technologies, awareness creation, meetings held in Africa, South Asia
for meeting basic human needs, for advocacy, tools development, and Latin America, members have
stimulating and supporting economic knowledge management and identified opportunities for contributing
growth and for enhancing the quality capacity-building to the Network by leveraging ongoing
of life in human settlements. Energy or planned initiatives and highlighted
efficiency, renewable energy technology iii. Promoting Energy Efficiency in different ways in which they found the
and requirements set by a changing Buildings in East Africa, for which it useful in enhancing their activities.
climate are important determining factors UN-Habitat is working with the Currently, the Network has more than
to achieve the Millennium Development governments of Kenya, Uganda, 300 institutions drawn from the public
Goals. Further, affordable access to energy Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, and private sectors. At the global
is an important developmental issue to mainstream energy efficiency steering committee held alongside the
and, with the UN Secretary-General’s measures into housing policies, WUF, members agreed that the Network
initiative on Sustainable Energy for All, building codes and building practices broaden the existing three thematic
greater emphasis is required for improving areas (slum electrification; waste-to-
energy access, particularly for poor and iv. Achieving sustainable urban energy and pro-poor mobility) to include
developing countries. development priorities (Urban access to sustainable cooking and
Energy-5442) heating/cooling systems; appropriate
The goal of energy-related initiatives renewable energy and energy efficiency
undertaken by UN-Habitat is to v. Development of the Ibadan-Abidjan measures for the urban poor and impact
mainstream energy efficiency measures urban energy corridor for sustainable of financial strategies on the urban
into housing policies, building codes urbanization and economic growth poor’s access to modern energy services.
and building practices and to achieve These will align the Network with the
considerable avoidance of CO2 emissions vi. Low Carbon Economy and UN Secretary-General’s Sustainable
as a result of improved practices. Sustainable Urban Development Pilot Energy for All initiative.
Project - Jiangyin non-development
Activities zone practice Construction Bureau of §§ During the Sixth Session of the World
i. UN-Habitat established the Global Jiangyin City Urban Forum, UN-Habitat in collaboration
Energy Network for the Urban with the International Renewable Energy
Settlements (GENUS) to promote the Project Outputs and Results Agency (IRENA) organized a workshop
design and implementation of energy- The activities undertaken during 2012 are: on Renewables in growing cities in Africa
and mobility-access programmes which attracted many local authority
and projects for the urban poor §§ As the current chair of UN-Energy leaders from African countries. UN-
worldwide. It works on three thematic Africa, UN-Habitat is contributing to Habitat also convened an Inter-regional
areas: i) slum electrification; ii) energy policy changes on urban energy in Steering Committee meeting to review
and waste to energy in the Latin Africa through participation in several the status of the Global Energy Network
America and Caribbean Region and regional and other meetings, including for the Urban Settlements initiative and
iii) pro-poor mobility for the urban the ECOWAS High Level Forum. to discuss the draft Anchoring Strategy
poor in South Asia. The meeting on Paving the way for of the initiative beyond the Development
‘Sustainable Energy for All in West Account Support.

Bicyclist, joggers and walkers enjoy Car Free Streets on Park Ave as part of New York City’s Summer Streets August 11, 2012 in New York City
© Donald Bowers Photography / Shutterstock
§§ Under Promoting Energy Efficiency efficient lighting (for example, CFL- and consumption during the day, especially
in Buildings in East Africa, existing LED-based smart lighting). in informal houses without windows.
documentation (building codes,
guidelines and standards) and terms §§ UN-Habitat contributed to the §§ UN-Habitat partnered with the
of reference for the development of organization of the Second edition of All- Municipality of Tehran to organize an
new building codes are under revision. Africa Energy Week, which took place in International Conference on Energy
In addition, energy audits are being Addis Ababa on 12-16 November 2012, and Urban Sustainability: Transforming
carried out in representative cities and collaborated with the African Union Municipal Solid Waste into Energy
selected in climatic zones in all five for developing a joint project on Waste- to provide a platform for discussing
countries to obtain a reliable sample of to-Energy in four countries to support innovations and best practices in
energy consumption in buildings in the formulation of policies to promote sustainable urban energy, with a
region. This is being done in partnership resource recovery from waste. particular focus on biogas technology.
with seven universities/educational The local authorities, municipal waste
institutions, and involves more than 100 §§ Agreements of Cooperation were experts, practitioners, academicians and
architectural and engineering students signed with two NGOs based in two city officials who participated in the
whose capacities have been enhanced. informal settlements in Nairobi for the Conference got an opportunity to share
Further, a Training Workshop on Energy installation of 8,000 solar bulbs, that best practices and lessons learned in the
Efficiency in Buildings was organised is, plastic bottles filled with bleached wider field of sustainable urban energy,
in Kampala for 35 practitioners. The water. If properly installed, the solar including energy efficiency in the built
project contributes to the increase of bulb utilizes available sunlight to environment, renewable energy in
consumer demand on energy efficiency provide illumination equivalent to urban areas, solid waste management,
measures in buildings, including solar that from an ordinary bulb. The solar and sustainable urban energy planning,
warm water systems and energy bulb significantly reduces energy finance and policy.

§§ UN-Habitat supported a pilot Renewable 52 percent per household (the cost change their working set and hence be
Technologies project for water and of energy per household has reduced able to influence the market demand
sanitation services in selected cities from CFA 3,585 (USD 7.40)3 before and enable the implementation of
of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, the project to CFA 1,708 (USD 3.52) energy-efficient strategies.
Cameroon, the Central Africa Republic, after the project}. A survey indicated
Sierra Leone and Mali. The project that 99 per cent of the beneficiaries §§ Advocacy and sharing of knowledge
contributed to increasing the eco- reported that the project has helped about achievements/outcomes of
affordability of the WatSan service them to improve their hygiene and energy related initiatives is essential for
delivery in terms of energy, and health conditions. The replication of the stimulating interest amongst national
promoted the development of Multi- project using local business networks is and local governments. Currently,
Functional Clean Energy Centres for expected. non-intervention countries are already
provision of urban basic services in showing interest in introducing energy
under-serviced and marginalized urban Good Practices introduced saving and conservation initiatives.
areas. These Centres combine biogas §§ Innovative systems and solutions
sanitation systems, water kiosks, solar for enhancing energy efficiency in Main challenges and necessary
lantern charging and provision of buildings, energy access and resource actions required to address them
basic energy services for cell-phone conservation. This has been welcomed §§ A holistic development approach is
charging, secure perimeter lighting, IT by the countries where introduced. essential for the success of energy-
and entertainment, all based on a solid related initiatives. The delivery of other
business plan and run by community- §§ UN-Habitat has convinced governments urban basic services, including water,
based organisations. Further, while UN- to enact legislation for introduction of sanitation, waste management and
Habitat and the Municipality of Beira, solar water heaters in public and private mobility has energy aspects, which
Mozambique, secured funding from the buildings may not be entirely clear to project
BASF Social Foundation for construction partners, clients and donors at all times.
of one such Centre, UN-Habitat held §§ The Branch is currently in discussion This also means that individual services
preliminary meetings with various with partners for promoting technology (for instance, water provision) cannot
stakeholders for building another in Jinja transfer, such as the use of PET-bottles be approached programmatically in
by December 2013, using funding from (solar bottle bulbs used in Philippines, isolation. This is a challenge because the
the Norwegian Government. Cameroon and East Africa) for lighting demand is often for specific support/
interventions and finance is available for
§§ UN-Habitat, in cooperation with the §§ Use of biogas in public institutions specific interventions only. This situation
International Urban Training Centre has been demonstrated as a useful is additionally aggravated by the
(IUTC) in Gongwon (South Korea), technology that has the added value of earmarked and project-based funding
conducted training on ‘Urban Energy solid waste management approach of development/funding
and Climate Change Mitigation’ for agencies.
the second year. It enjoyed a great Lessons learned
response from the Centre and the §§ Training and workshops are important §§ UN-Habitat, with its small scale
training participants, who included activities and it is important to operations and focus on transparency
representatives from local governments target professionals, institutions and and rights-based approach, is
of eight countries from South, East and practitioners interested in expanding attempting to influence governments,
Central Asia. and using their knowledge and skills whose budgets in the sector are huge.
routinely in their work. Knowledge is
§§ In Bamako,Mali, the Solvatten project crucial to practitioners if they are to §§ To expand project portfolio of urban
has contributed to reducing the cost energy despite the various constraints/
of energy used for boiling water by 3 1.00 USD = 485.39 Central African Franc (CFA) misperceptions.

3.3 Urban Mobility
Urban mobility
Promote improved and pro-poor global, regional and national government policies for more
sustainable urban mobility systems
Support development of national policy frameworks, and investment startegies that address urban
mobility needs in an economically efficient, environmentally sustsinable, and socially inclusive manner
Support adoption of metropolitan/city mobility plans and implementation strategies
Global advocacy to promote sustainable mobility options
Technical assistance for better public transport solutions
Knowledge dissemination
Improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists
urban design to reduce travel needs

© Connel / Shutterstock
3.3.1 Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities
Project Title Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities
Project Code W045
Total Cost USD2,850,000.00
Development partners UNEP/ Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat – Kenya
Funding partners • World Bank • French Development Agency
• European Union (EU) • African Development Bank (AfDB)
• Ethio-French Cooperation • Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Partners United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ)
Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia; Addis Ababa Transport Bureau (focal point for Government in Ethiopia)
Kenyan Urban Roads Authority (focal point for Government in Kenya)
Ministry of Works and Transport (focal point for Government in Uganda); Transport Research Laboratory Ltd. (TRL);
Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP); First African Bicycle Information Organisation (FABIO)
Starting Date 01-Apr-2011
Completion Date 28-Feb-2016
Amount remaining to be spent USD2,464,894

Background and objectives systems. Demonstration transport corridors §§ Component 4: Build regional capacity,
Transport refers to the efficient movement - which are cost-effective and result in and political support about sustainable
of people and goods, through better maximum environmental, social and transportation
and environmentally sound, safe economic benefits - are expected to act
and affordable transportation that as catalysts for expanding the networks The project activities undertaken during
contributes to improving social equity, in each city, and enhance potential for 2012 were:
health, resilience of cities, urban-rural replication throughout East Africa. The
linkages and productivity of rural areas. project, which was launched in response In Kenya, an assessment of possible
Transportation and mobility are recognised to requests to UNEP and UN-Habitat from options for Mass Rapid Transit
as central to sustainable development the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya and recommended the prioritization of Bus
since they enhance economic growth, Uganda, is directly working with and Rapid Transit systems. This was followed
improve accessibility and achieve better supporting these national governments in by the selection of the pilot corridors by
integration of the economy while outlining a network that entails effective government, operators and development
respecting the environment. Better public transport, quality infrastructure for partners. A Project Management Unit,
transport promotes universal access to pedestrians and cyclists, corresponding established at the Kenya Urban Roads
social services and therefore can make an travel demand measures and spatial Authority, is facilitating stakeholder
important contribution to consolidating development strategies to reduce travel. participation and the establishment of a
and achieving development gains in urban transport metropolitan authority.
and rural areas. Project Activities, Outputs and
Results In Uganda, the Ministry of Works and
In an effort to promote and support urban The project implementation started in Transport, where the Project Management
mobility, UN-Habitat is working towards November 2011. UN-Habitat is providing Unit is established, is partnering with UN-
taking a lead in advocating increased technical assistance and institutional Habitat for project implementation and is
awareness on sustainable urban mobility support for the design and implementation supporting the detailed design of the first
approaches, policies and investments as of four inter-related components. These are: such corridor in Kampala. The project is
well as for implementing strategies and also supporting the Kampala Capital City
programmes for more transport and §§ Component 1: Technical assistance and Authority Non-Motorised Transport Pilot
improved infrastructure. Since national institutional support for designing a project that includes pedestrian-friendly
governments have recognised the need comprehensive sustainable metropolitan urban design and awareness-raising.
for sustainable transport and are still in the transport system, including a blueprint
process of identifying the most effective for complementary transportation In Ethiopia, TRL is providing ongoing
solutions to meet their needs, UN-Habitat demand management and urban support to Addis Ababa City Roads
has initiated the Sustainable Transport in East planning measures Authority (AACRA) in travel demand
African Cities, a project that aims to reduce management, parking management,
growth in private motorized vehicles, thus §§ Component 2: Demonstrate feasibility non-motorised transport and BRT design
reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse of the proposed system by planning and operations. It is also supporting the
gas emissions in the three capital cities of and implementing demonstration Addis Ababa public bus company Anbessa
Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. transport corridors featuring Bus Rapid to improve its bus operations, and in
Transit (BRT), non-motorized transport the application of an Integrated Data
The aim is to promote the implementation infrastructure, and travel demand Management System.
of sustainable urban transport solutions management measures
in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Kampala and UN-Habitat organised national workshops
to create the technical and institutional §§ Component 3: Promote appropriate in Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Nairobi,
basis for implementing sustainable clean air/clean vehicles and fuel and a regional workshop on Promoting
metropolitan transport networks and technology initiatives Sustainable Transport Solutions for

East Africa to present the findings of transport operators is essential in Transit investments, the Government of
the cost-benefit analysis implemented planning and decision-making Kenya has to work through a number of
by the International Council for Clean institutional issues before it is in a position
Transportation. In October, UN-Habitat §§ The involvement of local residents is to take full control of strategic planning
organised a study tour to Johannesburg important for planning and design and changes in transport in Nairobi.
in combination with the Second UATP of the citywide system and the There have been some delays in Kampala,
Congress and exhibition of African public demonstration corridor as it is expected since the project will be working with
transport, and one to Addis Ababa on the to result in a demand for expanding the the World Bank Consultants on detailed
role of urban mobility in (re)shaping cities. transport system design, and as yet they have not started
Four participants, each from the related work. In Addis Ababa design, investment
urban development and roads/transport §§ Prioritise capacity building for all key and infrastructure plans are progressing
authorities of the three cities, participated stakeholders via peer to peer sharing well. Regarding comprehensive transport
to share knowledge and learn from the plans, only Nairobi will update its ones.
experiences on planning, regulating, §§ Focus on the integration of different Therefore, in Kampala and Addis Ababa
controlling and organising low carbon transport modes, and integrate with the project is focusing on support BRT
transport interventions, including the non- urban and land use plans and non-motorised transport technical
motorised transport and BRT system public designs, rather than overall city plans.
transport markets. §§ Use experience from other projects but
adopt the system characteristics to the
An Agreement of Cooperation was local needs
signed between UN-Habitat and the
German Technical Cooperation (Deutsche §§ Private sector engagement should play a
Gesellschaft für Internationale higher role in project implementation
Zusammenarbeit)for Component 4 of
the initiative. §§ When innovative systems such as
Bus Rapid Transit are introduced, it is
Issues and Lessons Learned important to familiarise the responsible
§§ The initial scope of project was agencies such as Highway/ Road
modified to match the financial construction agencies and relevant
resources available and considering ministries with the key steps involved
other transport related initiatives by in the design, preparation and
development partners implementation of projects and to
ensure support from policy and decision
§§ The process for getting an integrated makers from the onset
approach requires the involvement
of several entities and it is important Main challenges and necessary
for the Government to be involved in actions required to address them
decision-making The project has experienced a delay
because of changes in project
§§ An independent transport entity, with management, issuing sub-contracts, and
decision-making power and financial, changes in country conditions. Of greatest
legal, institutional and technical concern is the situation in Nairobi. While
capacities, is essential there are a number of investors, including
the World Bank and African Development
§§ Involvement of the current public Bank, pressing to support Bus Rapid

3.3.2 Sustainable Urban Mobility in UN-Habitat partner countries and cities
Project Title Supporting the implementation of national policies and local investments for Sustainable Urban
Mobility in UN-Habitat partner countries and cities 2012-2013
Project Code W059
Total Cost US$ 971,967
Development partners NA
Funding partners Norway
Partners Dutch Cycling Embassy
Nairobi City County
CODATU - Cooperation for Urban Mobility in the Developing World
Metropolitan Area of Medellin
KCCA – Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda
Clean Air Asia, India
Clean Energy Nepal
EMBARQ (World Resources Institute, Washington DC)
Starting Date January 2012
Completion Date December 2013
Expenditure to 2012* US$ 280,648
Amount remaining to be spent US$ 691,319
Background and objectives disseminate a Mobility Rapid-Assessment challenges, deriving from the assumption
UN-Habitat promotes the concept of giving Tool. Quick-impact field projects will be that specific urban solutions can be
the street back to citizens by creating implemented in three or four target cities. implemented in an incremental manner
public spaces, establishing more robust These will highlight how simple but innovate and through a new planning approach
public transport systems and promoting interventions such as designing selected that emphasizes the role of streets and
NMT. In order to achieve this it is important streets as shared spaces that fulfil space public spaces in improving the lives of
that policy makers are aware of the need and linking functions can improve mobility urban dwellers. The project’s overall
of “people-centric” urban development outcome for citizens and businesses. strategy is to promote this approach at
instead of a vehicle-centric one. Based on the Project and previous work city level through dialogue and raising
done by the Urban Basic Services Branch, awareness on policy-matters and building
The purpose of this project is to develop collaboration will also be sought with the capacity of city managers and planners.
awareness of policy makers of sustainable international financial institutions, with a Successful demonstration of field projects
mobility options in cities and build capacity view of supporting target cities in securing is expected to develop confidence and
of city managers and planners to plan financing for medium and long-term support of all stakeholders.
and implement incremental, quick-impact mobility investments.
interventions that can improve urban The activities included in the project are:
mobility. To address the lack of information Project Activities, Outputs and
amongst planners and decision makers on Results §§ Expert Group meetings, which were
the key mobility challenges confronting their The project seeks to advocate a pragmatic conducted to assess planned mobility
cities, the project will develop, field-test and strategy for addressing urban mobility interventions against international best

practices and standards. The first one for Sustainable Transport, to increase UN-Habitat in partnership with
took place in October 2012 in Addis collaboration on sustainable urban Clean Energy Nepal is working to
Ababa, Ethiopia, where national and mobility. The aim is to contribute to implement sustainable urban mobility
local government officials gathered to creating more sustainable cities by in Kathmandu amid challenges of an
discuss ways to promote mass rapid working to provide universal access to annual vehicle growth rate of about
transit interventions and specific Non- safe, clean and affordable transport. The 13 per cent and associated congestion
Motorised Transport interventions initiative focuses on the needs of poor and environmental problems. Using
needed in urban areas. The second one, and vulnerable groups, making urban opportunities such as the existing
which took place during the 24th session mobility planning more participatory, number of trips in Kathmandu being
of the Governing Council in April 2013, and finding more ways to incorporate made by foot (40 per cent), UN-Habitat
discussed issues of sustainable mobility transport into broader land use planning and Clean Energy Nepal are working
policy development and the need to and implementation. Under the terms of together to promote improved facilities
promote the integration of inter-modal the MoU, both partners agree to build a for pedestrians and creating pedestrian
transport at regional level. network of experts that will collaborate zones in core urban areas. Similarly
on sustainable urban mobility solutions, the promotion of cycling as a suitable
§§ In partnership with the Institute for including financing and funding alternative to car for inter-urban trips
Transportation and Development Policy opportunities, capacity building, through developing cycle lane networks
(ITDP), UN-Habitat is developing a Rapid knowledge management, research and supportive policies is a core
Assessment Tool to address the general and joint participation at international component of this Project.
lack or scarcity of data in rapidly-growing events. EMBARQ is also developing
cities through identifying the most through a participatory process the In partnership with Clean Air Asia,
pressing mobility problems. This Tool is following four Quick Guides that can be UN-Habitat is working to promote
intended to function as a benchmarking used as tools for city managers and a sustainable urban mobility (particularly
tool for urban mobility and can be used Checklists for Sustainable Transportation non-motorized transportation) within
to orient key municipal stakeholders, that can be used by project managers of the broader context of urban planning.
including city mayors, municipal transportation projects: Through effective networking among
authorities and decision-makers on key stakeholders, this project aims to
time-effective ways to tackle pressing §§ Developing an Urban Mobility Plan promote sustainable mobility solutions
mobility issues and ways to efficiently through participatory processes. The
operationalize poverty reduction through §§ Establishing a Metropolitan specific objectives of this project are:
the transport sector. It includes both Transport Authority
participatory and analytical components §§ Assist policy makers in promoting
that enable local stakeholders to share, §§ Developing an Urban Mobility sustainable mobility, particularly non-
enhance and analyse their knowledge Compact motorized transportation
of mobility conditions. The knowledge
gained serves as basis for decision §§ Establishing a Multi-Stakeholder §§ Design and implement a pilot project
making for transport and land use Forum on Urban Mobility on people centric approaches for
interventions. The Tool will be pilot tested promoting walking and cycling in
in a South Asian city in collaboration §§ Field demonstration projects to address Asian cities, in partnership with city
with local authorities and subsequently the most representative mobility issues government and local stakeholders
finalised and disseminated through UN- affecting cities in developing countries.
Habitat networks. The demonstration projects will involve §§ Advocate for sustainable mobility in
street users and other stakeholders Asian cities in partnership with UN-
§§ UN-Habitat is partnering with EMBARQ, through interesting and popular events. Habitat
the World Resources Institute Center

The project will produce a peer- launched during the 24th session of resources for quick and incremental
reviewed tool box which aims the Governing Council in April 2013. approaches and so innovative financing
at assisting local government in It demonstrates the potential of and investing strategies are needed at
developing interventions towards appropriately-designed cycle sharing local levels
improving active or non-motorized schemes in developing cities with the
transportation in their cities. This is objective of capturing the attention Main challenges and necessary
being developed to be responsive to of policy makers, planners and actions required to address them
current challenges and build upon the entrepreneurs. A good combination of planning
work of other similar and supportive instruments and specific mobility projects
tools. The development of the tool §§ UN-Habitat will support partner with triggering effects seem to be the
box receives ongoing participation cities in preparing phase investment right way to address mobility issues in
of key stakeholders and incorporates plans and replicating its experience the target cities. In any case, a clear and
learning from the pilot projects. in water and sanitation, enlarge the concise message is needed, so that even
existing scope of collaboration with small planning efforts have clear visions,
Finally, UN-Habitat and the the Regional Development Banks. The which can be later developed further. The
Metropolitan Area of Medellin, aim of these collaborations will be to Mobility Unit is focusing in pilot projects in
Colombia, will develop a bicycle facilitate financing of investments on the following specific areas:
mobility master plan. The initial one hand and, on the other, to advocate
planning activities are scheduled to alternative and low-cost and relatively §§ Mobility planning integrated with land
take place in October 2013 during less infrastructure intensive investments. use planning- plan for compact cities at
the celebration of the World Habitat the human scale.
Day in Medellin, which is dedicated Issues and Lessons Learned
this year to urban mobility. A series of §§ Traditional urban planning schemes §§ Making walking and cycling safer and
participatory meetings are planned, tend to fail in rapidly-urbanizing cities, more attractive, and integrating it with
as well as the identification of a in view of the amount of time and public transport, and
demonstration bicycle project to be resources required. It is important to
showcased during the World Urban encourage the dialogue between policy §§ Safe, affordable, reliable and
Forum in April 2014. makers and learn from quick solutions comfortable public transport.
which were successful in cities of similar
§§ At a policy level, building on the characteristics
findings from the Rapid Assessment and
the demonstration projects, a review §§ Quick strategies for urban mobility
of the policy and regulatory framework are encouraged, taking into account
will be carried out. Quick wins, such as data scarcity in many rapidly-growing
successful bus operations frameworks, cities, but also recognizing the need of
will be identified and brought to the an overall framework to guide urban
attention of decision makers and city development and transport and traffic
managers. Expertise will be provided interventions
for preparing road maps to transform
existing transport systems into more §§ It is advisable to encourage open
efficient, safe, reliable and people- dissemination of data, such as open
centric systems. platforms and free software
Among those projects are bicycle- §§ In general, institutional structures do

sharing campaigns, such as the one not favour the quick mobilization of

3.3.3 GENUS: Pro-poor Mobility Component
Project Title GENUS: Pro-poor Mobility Component

Project Code NA
Total Cost USD51,000.00
Development partners The Energy and Resource Centre (TERI), India
Funding partners NA
Partners NA
Starting Date 01-Apr-2012
Expenditure to 2012* USD NA
Amount remaining to be spent USD NA
Background and objectives §§ E-debate on the subject §§ What is informal transport?

UN-Habitat signed a cooperation
agreement with The Energy and §§ Contribution to the GENUS website §§ What is the role of informal transport in
Resources Institute - the host institution meeting the mobility needs of the poor/
for the Global Energy Network for Project Activities, Outputs and low-income population?
Urban Settlements (GENUS) in Asia and Results
a member of the Global and Regional The Energy and Resources Institute §§ What are the key challenges associated
Steering Committees of the Network, organized a three-day workshop on with informal transport?
in April 2012. Under the agreement, ‘Mobility for poor: Improving informal
the Institute is required to carry out the transport from 3-5 October 2012 in New §§ How can we improve informal
following tasks: Delhi. transport?
§§ Organize a workshop on the subject of The workshop covered three themes: The Energy and Resources InstituteI is also
pro-poor mobility putting together about 50 case studies
1. Agreeing to a common definition on on projects/initiatives focusing on pro-
§§ Conduct case study research what is informal transport poor mobility in Asia, Africa and Latin
America on solutions related to informal
§§ Facilitate knowledge dissemination 2. Role of informal transport in meeting transport and to non-motorized transport.
the mobility needs of the poor/low- In October 2012, 15 case studies that
The envisaged project outputs are: income population highlight some interesting and innovative
solutions for improvement of informal
§§ Case studies on pro-poor mobility 3. Challenges and solutions for transport modes were published by the
improving informal transport Institute.
§§ Guidelines for pro-poor mobility policies
emerging from case study research and In addition, the Institute is organizing an
workshop discussions E-debate on Urban Gateway portal on the
following themes:

3.4 Urban Waste Management
© UN-Habitat
Urban waste management

Enhance capacity of local actors in solid waste management
Set up community based solid waste management systems
Enhance capacity of local actors in waste water management
Promote solid waste managementinitiatives to minimize pollution of water sources and land
Waste management initiatives for introducing alternative energy sources in settlements
Project Title UN-Habitat Vacutug Development Project: Post Project Evaluation

Project Location(s) Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal and Bangladesh
Project Code W061
Total Cost USD249,700
Development partners NA
Funding partners Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Partners NA
Starting Date 20 February 2012
Completion Date 30 June 2013
Amount remaining to be spent 140,641

Background and objectives than five years in Kibera slum in Kenya, Mark II have been ongoing since 2003,
The UN-Habitat Vacutug evolved out demonstrating its significant earning and the lessons and experiences gathered
of the need for a low-cost and fully- potential, and thereby sustainability as a from the trials needs to be consolidated
sustainable system for emptying latrine pits community-based micro-enterprise. and analysed to inform further action.
in unplanned or peri-urban areas of cities Further, experiences from country
in developing countries. Its development Based on technical problem detected with based field trials of Mark II have further
goes back nearly 20 years to a research Mark I in Kibera, a number of changes presented new challenges such as:
project that was set up by International were recommended leading to the
Reference Centre for Waste Disposal in improvement of the system and its design. i. How can the speed of Mark II be
Botswana in 1983. The research and the The second generation Vacutug Mark II increased to make it suitable for
experiences gained in the Botswana trials was developed in Bangladesh in 2002 with long-haul transfer and should there
resulted in the development of the Brevac funding from the British Department for be a transfer station or a review of
(a low cost vacuum tanker), followed International Development (DFID) under engineering design?
by the developments of the Micravac (a its Engineering Knowledge and Research
micro vacuum tanker developed for use on Programme and Irish-Aid. The aim was ii. How can the purchase prices of Mark
uneven roads and areas with poor access) to develop the prototype for use in other II be reduced to make it affordable
and Mapet (manual pit-latrine emptying countries in the world facing similar for all? Is the solution decentralized
technology). situations. The trials for Mark II began production centres focusing on
in 2003 in Bangladesh and eight other specific regions?
The need was identified for a low-cost countries (Kenya, Bangladesh, Senegal,
latrine-emptying system which could reach Tanzania, India, Mozambique, South Africa iii. How can spares of Mark II be made
into areas with difficult access, could suck and Ghana) to allow for further testing available in local markets to reduce
out the dense wastes found in latrine pits, under different conditions. the cost of after-sales services?
transport these wastes short distances for
disposal and which was affordable by the The Mark II trials were successful in Kenya, In addition, UN-Habitat has increasingly
small entrepreneurs who are providing Bangladesh, Senegal, Mozambique and been receiving enquiries and requests
services in the unplanned peri-urban Tanzania but unsuccessful in India and regarding Mark II from various
areas developing around the cities of Ghana. Senegal and Bangladesh procured organizations and country governments
the developing countries. Recognising additional sets of the machines through that face similar situations and are seeking
the need for a system that could be national government support. Countries support in latrine sludge management.
manufactured locally in the countries such as Uganda that were not part of the
where it was most needed, UN-Habitat initial trial countries have also acquired Objectives of evaluation at this
became directly involved in research the equipment. To date, 35 Vacutugs have stage
on pit-latrine exhaustion in 1995. A been manufactured and are being used An evaluation of Mark II was expected to
consultancy company was commissioned in various countries around the world. inform development of a final version of
by UN-Habitat to undertake the design However, their condition and functioning the Vacutug, which took cognizance of
work for this demonstration project. is not known. factors beyond the current applicability of
the technology. The specific objectives of
The first prototype UN-Habitat Vacutug Mark II was developed as an improved the evaluation were:
Mark I was deliberately put into a situation version of Mark I, but was not considered
where there was very little technical back the final product of UN-Habitat’s Vacutug §§ Detailed assessment of the status of
up, few skills and almost no support. development. Further development of projects in all the countries
The aim was see how sustainable such Mark II required tests under different
a system could be. The UN-Habitat conditions so that experiences beyond §§ Documentation of all the lessons and
prototype Vacutug Mark I worked for more Kibera could be gathered. The trials on experiences for wider dissemination

The project objectives were to get §§ Prepare paper on the evaluation findings efficiently. For example, in Mozambique,
recommendations for a final version of the and submit to an international journal while the community-based
Vacutug exhauster based on the outcome for publication organisation was collecting the sludge
of the assessment, and to make the design at a centralised transfer station, Maputo
available to different credible engineering §§ Help Bill and Melinda Gates Municipality that was responsible for
firms for mass production and distribution. Foundation’s Omni-Ingestor (a modular transporting the sludge to the treatment
Most importantly, greater emphasis was to equipment set designed to extract and plant failed to perform its role. Thus, the
be given to regionalizing the production process faecal sludge from pit latrines community-based organisation’s work
centres for the Vacutug exhauster to and septic tanks) project, including a was hindered.
reduce shipment and aftersales servicing one-week visit to Seattle to review/
costs. advise work of five firms working on §§ Sludge viscosity at the bottom of pits
Omni-Ingestor increases with time. Therefore, after
Project Activities about two years, the thick sludge at the
The project activities included: Lessons learned bottom of the pits cannot be sucked
The key lessons learned during the by conventional exhausters, including
§§ Review of all secondary data, including evaluation are: Vacutug.
all operation and maintenance records
and progress reports §§ Most projects that were managed by Main challenges and necessary
community groups did not perform actions required to address them
§§ Field missions to participating countries as well as the ones that were privately The key challenges are:
for engaging with beneficiaries to get owned. Overall, the accountability by
their views, and with relevant national the community-based organisations was §§ Inadequate policy guidelines to
governmental and other organizations poor. streamline the role of community-based
and research institutes organisations in sludge management
§§ After sales servicing for the equipment in many participating countries. The
§§ Review of the engineering functionalities was not available in Africa. Therefore, need for formal rather than informal
of Mark II based on field experiences for the need for decentralised production of agreements/ arrangements between
drawing up strategies for improvement, the equipment in close proximity of the local authorities and participating
as well as of regional production centres users has been identified. community-based organisations /
(Africa, Asia and Latin America) for partners has been identified.
making recommendations for reducing §§ A demand for the equipment was
costs on shipment and aftersales created in Bangladesh and other Asian §§ The community-based organisations
servicing, and for facilitating increase in countries because of the marketing have poor management skills for
coverage of market areas strategy adopted by the manufacturer. effectively running the project as a
The wide use of the equipment led to business. Thus, future interventions
§§ Organize a stakeholders’ workshop varying requirements in response to should include a strong element of
in Bangladesh to review the overall its performance and cost effectiveness capacity building.
findings of the evaluation in different terrains and distances,
and resulted in the development and §§ To reduce the high cost of procurement
§§ Prepare detailed evaluation report and distribution of three new generations of and maintenance of the equipment,
a publication based on the findings for the Vacutug. especially for countries of Africa that
circulation to improve knowledge base wish to use the Vacutug exhauster. This
on sludge management in settlements §§ Supportive policies and institutional requires decentralising of the production
with pit-latrines and septic tanks arrangements are essential for ensuring to various countries of Africa, Asia and
that all partners perform their roles Latin America.

§§ While the Vacutug technology is a §§ In order to attain 100 per cent suction §§ There is need to focus on hygiene
good option for sludge management, it in latrine pits that have been used for aspects. This requires putting in place
does not address all the sludge related more than two years, further research strategies for improving sludge handling
problems of pit latrines. Therefore, there is required for understanding and by equipment operators and for
is a need for further research that helps managing sludge viscosity over time. minimising spillage during transfer and
develop a menu of technology options contact by people.
appropriate for varied climatic, cultural,
terrain and distance situations.
3.5 Project Development Phase: Rapid Planning for dynamic metropolises

Project Titles Rapid Planning: Sustainable infrastructure, environmental and resource management
for high dynamic metropolises1
Project Location(s) Global
Project Code W064
Total Cost USD 59,131
Development partners UNEP-DGEF/ UNEP/GEF Secretariat – Kenya
Funding partners AT-Verband (AT-Association) (T834)
Partners AT-Verband (AT-Association) association for the promotion of socially & environmentally appropriate technologies
Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus – Department of Environmental Planning
IFAK – Institute for Automation and Communication Magdeburg
IFEU, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
IZES – Institute for Future Energy Systems
Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) – Landscape Architecture& Environmental Planning
Heidelberg University – Institute of Geography
University of Stuttgart – Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER)
University of Tuebingen Institute for Geography – Physical Geography and GIS
Starting Date 01-Aug-2012
Amount remaining to be spent USD 37,680

resource management, urban mining, the
low-carbon city and the green economy.
Sectors that focus on supply of water and

energy, and disposal of waste and waste
water are involved in Rapid Planning. The
UN-Habitat units and divisions involved
in this initiative include the Urban
Environmental Planning Branch (UEPB), the
Urban Basic Services Branch, the Regional
Technical Cooperation Division (RTCD),
UN Habitat Country Offices and Habitat
Program Managers (HPM, at country level).
Objectives
The objectives of the Rapid Planning
sector analyses and thematic approaches
is to prepare a package of methods and
tools to support cross-sector integration,
rapid data capture, establishment of
planning values, subsequent scenario
development, generation and evaluation
of implementation options, vulnerability/
resilience assessments and reality checks
to support decision making. This will also
include proposals for urban planning as an
outcome from the scenario simulation and
interpretation and the respective road maps
for implementation. At the end of the Pre-
Construction of a dome-shaped biogas by Green Heat Uganda Limited © UN-Habitat phase the project proposal for the Main-
phase will be submitted and, when it has
been accepted, the Main-phase can start.
Background and objectives The aim is to use the synergies to
Planning of sustainable urban infrastructure contribute directly to reducing the pressure A Kick-off-Meeting was held for Rapid
for fast-expanding cities requires linking of on primary raw materials and to emission Planning in Nairobi on 31 January-3
aspects of decentralised planning, potential savings. Trans-sectoral planning will aid February 2012. At the meeting,
synergies of the systems and spatial the minimisation of trade-offs and increase representatives from pre-selected potential
aspects. The different aspects need to be synergies, providing mutually reinforcing target megacities evaluated their cities for
linked in a way that conserves resources solutions between sectors and as a suitability for the main project
and minimises greenhouse gases. Rapid consequence and save costs and resources
Planning enables quick identification of by means of regional infrastructure Criteria for Rapid Planning City selection
interfaces, synergies and bottlenecks in the and resource management. Rapid
urban infrastructure system, and thereby Planning strives to address climate and §§ Geographical representativeness
provides the basis for preparing detailed environmental challenges and cover various
designs for developing it. major applied topics such as regional §§ climatic, technical, etc.

§§ City Size (> 1 million) 3.6 Summary The poorest-country focussed initiatives
of financial being implemented by the Regional Office
§§ Dynamics of urban development implementation in for Asia and the Pacific are the second
processes 2012 largest in terms of value. Although the
new programmatic clusters of energy and
§§ Indicators for dynamics As accessed from the Project Approval mobility comprise a smaller proportion of
and Accountability System, the values of the overall values, they are amongst the
§§ Demand for action the programmes under UN-Habitat’s Urban largest value in terms of funds availability
Basic Portfolio show that the highest value beyond January 2013.
§§ Political support and Co-funding initiatives are those funded over the years
under the Water Sanitation Trust Fund
§§ Data availability and accessibility (now Urban Basic Services Trust Fund),
especially the two regional replicable
§§ Additional Criteria: initiatives, and the Water for Cities
programme. However, a larger proportion
§§ Existing contacts - previous of the funds under these initiatives have
experience in the team already been utilised.
§§ Priority Countries for UN Habitat

and for Germany
WatSan - Regional Replicable Programmes Rapid Planning

96,529,642 59,131
WatSan - Asia Pacific Energy

63,710,801 3,621,532
WatSan - Africa Mobility

1,546,589 4,182,017
WatSan - Arab States Waste Management

3,356,794 1,015,157
Water for Cities Programme WOPs

12,812,542 4,399,956
WatSan - Global
2,532,690

CIRCA 1990 - Urban cleanup
crew in Los Angeles on Earth Day
© Spirit of america / shutterstock

4. Main challenges and necessary actions
In the context of the Rio+20 outcome and the debates on Strategic Development Goals,
the global focus and consensus is on integrated, inclusive and holistic development.
The key challenges for the coming years Community), civil society partners, NGOs, UN-Habitat with its small scale operations
are related to a focus on sustainability and INGOs, academic and research institutions, and focus on transparency and rights
resource sufficiency and accountability, finance institutions (including the ADB, based approach faces an enormous
as well as on the transition required from AfDB, IADB) and the private sector. The challenge in attempting to influence
Millennium to Strategic Development Urban Basic Services Branch has also been governments, whose budgets for basic
Goals while continuing to work towards cooperating with other UN agencies and services are huge.
achieving the Millennium Targets, developmental organisations such as DFID,
especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Basic GIZ, AusAID and USAID for initiatives at UN-Habitat faces several challenges in
urban services initiatives, combined with local, national and regional levels. It has the coming years to contribute more
use of local resources, capacity building, strengthened partnerships with private substantially to achieving the Goals while
and promotion and dissemination of sector partners such as BASF and Coca- working towards its vision and goal of
knowledge regarding sustainable and Cola, which started with small-scale sustainable cities and human settlements.
appropriate technologies can demonstrate projects and has, in some cases such as The challenges that UN-Habitat faces
how human settlements can become more India and Nepal, grown to national level in the area of urban basic services, and
sustainable. Further, with the focus on interventions. the possible actions that can contribute
monitoring progress in line with the Goals, to meeting future challenges can be
UN-Habitat - as the human settlements Urban Basic Services initiatives have categorised in terms of the thematic,
agency, is well-positioned to build on shown that partnerships with NGOs and sub-thematic and project levels. These are
the opportunities for identifying proxy the private sector for specific activities listed below.
indicators for measuring progress towards can provide effective entry points for
sustainable human settlements (including reaching out to target communities.
contributions to reduction in greenhouse This is especially true for the promotion 4.1 Urban Basic Services
gas emissions and consumption of scarce of sanitation and rain water harvesting portfolio/Thematic
resources in urban areas) and monitoring and for improving hygiene practices. Level
progress in the area of basic services. This requires information dissemination
centres and incentives to encourage wider At the Urban Basic Services portfolio level,
UN-Habitat’s urban basic services application/ use. Support for introducing the essential actions for contributing more
initiatives in countries of Asia, Africa and changes in planning guidelines and substantially to sustainable cities and
Latin America and the Caribbean have building bye-laws and codes contribute human settlements are indicated in the
contributed to developing strong links substantially to up scaling environmentally Executive Directors’ call for promoting an
with Governments at national and local responsive good practices. urban paradigm shift through initiatives
levels, regional organisations (East African that:

a. Promote an integrated approach to issues. Now with UN-Habitat’s strategic logistics that support coordination as well
planning and building of sustainable decision to holistically address urban as coordinated implementation.
cities and urban settlements services, there is greater opportunity for
by supporting local authorities, demonstrating how water, sanitation, An important aspect for upscaling of good
increasing public awareness and waste management, energy and practices is the need for documenting
enhancing participation of urban mobility initiatives at national, local and lessons, inclusion of its significant but
residents, especially the poor, in neighbourhood levels can complement weak elements and possible actions that
decision making each other. It also provides an opportunity can help overcome the weaknesses based
for refining the contextually appropriate on experiences from similar initiatives
b. Promote sustainable development strategies and processes that have evolved in the same areas. Further, community-
policies that support a safe and in the different regions. Complementary based participatory processes involve
healthy living environment for all initiatives will also require monitoring negotiations and consensus building and
processes and indicators that measure the are, by nature, limited to a geographical
c. Promote affordable and sustainable contributions of the various components in area and population. Thus, for upscaling
transport and energy, safe and achieving the planned outcomes. ‘stand alone’ initiatives to reach a larger
clean drinking water and sanitation population, the processes adopted for the
and reduce air, water and chemical Overall, there is greater opportunity for demonstration projects may need to be
pollution UN-Habitat, specifically the Urban Basic formalized through changes in the policy
Services Branch, to take a lead in planning and regulatory environments. Fortunately,
d. Move from self-contained sectoral and implementing model initiatives this is not an issue for regional or national
interventions to a more holistic, that optimally utilise resources and programmes.
comprehensive and integrated contribute to achieving the Goals targets
approach, and where appropriate (for in intervention areas. In this context, UN-Habitat is already reaching out to
example, in the areas of transport and efforts are required to regularly update more people by working at regional
energy), adopt a citywide approach the UN-Habitat website such that links levels and through infrastructure projects
are provided for sharing information on in disaster or civil strife-affected areas.
e. Minimize service delivery cost completed project areas. The initiatives supported by UN-Habitat
focus on different levels – at the policy
f. Focus on minimal conditions of level, institutional levels and at the
intervention that contribute to 4.1.2 Up scaling successful stakeholder level. The pro-poor focus of
making cities sustainable approaches initiatives complements the Government’s
focus on achieving poverty reduction
Several factors make upscaling difficult, and Goals’ targets. However, it also has
4.1.1 Raise profile of urban basic a significant one being the association substantial knowledge and experience in
services initiatives of a good practice with the key project implementing sustainable approaches and
partner and funding entity. Upscaling of processes at a smaller scale in different
The focus on the Goals limited the smaller initiatives requires reallocation countries. However, the context has
framework for water, sanitation and waste of human and financial resources and changed dramatically because of access to
management demonstration projects and enhancement of human, organisational, information technology, communication
normative activities. UN-Habitat has over institutional and partner capacities – and rapid increase in technologies
the years not only emphasised the inter- generally without additional support for addressing service delivery related
linkages of water and sanitation with for community mobilisation, advisers, problems. UN-Habitat is therefore in a
health, hygiene, education, gender, and consultants and technology. It also involves position to build on the achievements
governance but also with participatory coordination amongst several stakeholders and upscale tested initiatives and viable
decision making and environmental at the relevant decision making levels, and technologies. The key actions that can be

taken at the local levels are: 4.1.3 Adoption of alternative/ 4.1.5 Prioritise future actions in
innovative technologies locations where the need
§§ Focus on optimally using financial is most acute
resources through demonstration Adoption of new technologies and
projects. The challenge is to strategize processes is viable after its benefits are In terms of locations where UN-Habitat
the pilots in a way that enables clearly demonstrated to households, can substantially contribute to achieving
partnerships with governments and communities and other decision-makers. the MDG Targets, requests from countries
the private sector for upscaling as well It requires efforts for increasing awareness where MDG accelerated Action Plans4
as in policy guidelines that influence and building capacities not only for using action plans have been developed, or
approaches and processes adopted by the alternative technologies but also where completed action plans are under
sub-national and local governments for for its operation and maintenance. For implementation can be considered on
implementing government programmes. example, experience shows that while a priority basis. These include countries
In the context of transfer of technology, ecosan technology adoption requires a where urban basic services initiatives are
such as for the Vacutug, adaptation of lot of effort, use and demand for solar already being implemented:
the technology to the local context is bulbs can increase quickly as the benefits
essential. to a household are clearly visible. Disaster §§ Latin America and Caribbean: Belize,
affected areas provide more opportunities Colombia (sub-national level: four
§§ Create a demand for the services for influencing local decision-makers and Provinces and two territories), Costa
through exchange visits and institutions on the need for introducing Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El
participation of stakeholders from sustainable technological options for Salvador, Grenada, Guyana and Peru.
various levels improving access to water, sanitation and
environmental management. At the same §§ Asia and Pacific: Bangladesh
§§ Identify and build capacity of the most time, support in disaster affected areas is (Chittagong Hill Tracts), Cambodia,
appropriate stakeholders to upscale the challenging in terms of gaps in capacities, Indonesia (sub-national level), Lao PDR
initiatives or its relevant components existing infrastructure networks and and Nepal.
through own efforts uncertainties and delays. As the United
Nations settlements agency, UN-Habitat §§ Africa: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso,
§§ A very significant challenge is of can take the lead in identification and Central African Republic, Chad, Cote
mobilising resources to scale-up good introduction of new, appropriate and D’Ivoire, Ethiopia (sub-national level),
practices within project-cities and innovative technologies in basic services The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho,
beyond. UN-Habitat can enhance provision. Mauritania, Mali, Niger, South Africa,
financial feasibility by ensuring that Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia
all beneficiary stakeholders commit
financial resources for accessing the 4.1.4 Strategic actions before Since the sanitation target is among the
benefits of the initiatives in the medium- project exits to achieve most lagging of the Goals, funding for
term. greater impact and interventions in these countries is likely
visibility to be available in response to the UN
§§ As far as possible, build strategic Secretary-General’s Call to Action on
partnerships with stakeholders who In ongoing projects, UN-Habitat has the Sanitation5. The focus on ending open
have a visible stake in the success of option for investing in project reviews that defecation by providing all people access
the initiative and who can facilitate recommend ways of making the processes/ to sanitation, as well as on improving
upscaling community structures, partnerships and hygiene, changing social norms, and
assets more sustainable. This includes
4 Millennium Development Goals Acceleration Frame-
actions for optimal utilisation of available work
human and financial resources. 5 Launched in March 2013

through efficient managing of human in average temperatures and longer dry aware of what is going on in the project,
waste and waste-water complements the seasons affect water sources and increase and helps build consensus;
work of UN-Habitat in the area under vulnerabilities of people in project areas.
various initiatives. UN-Habitat is already cooperating with However, participatory decision making
other parts of the United Nations and other requires flexibility and time for extensive
international agencies, ministerial bodies negotiations with governments to secure
4.1.6 Strengthen partnerships and other partners to: assess and plan for their support and signing of MoUs;
through coordination and the impacts of climate change. extensive interactions for community/
consensus building stakeholder mobilization and building
All UN-Habitat offices are affected by trust and partnerships with multiple
Government decision-makers, budgets, emergency situations since they require functionaries at different governmental
policies and programmes greatly influence direct implementation of interventions, levels. It requires building/strengthening
development processes. In addition, the and stretch staff and financial resources of of capacities of local stakeholders and
private sector has a stake in efficient and implementing partners who are required some implementing partners to manage
reliable service delivery. Partnership and to concentrate on rehabilitation and relief the projects. In some instances, additional
coordination with government contributes efforts. Initiatives that enable access to negotiations are involved for meeting the
to smooth implementation of projects, water, sanitation and energy need to auditing requirements of projects.
influences policy decisions and can address climate-related vulnerabilities.
contribute substantially to transparency. For example, initiatives can support water In addition, project timelines need to build
Good relationships, consensus building utilities in developing a long-term strategy in factors that cause delays, including
and partnerships with various stakeholders to protect, conserve and recharge water limited capacities or availability of
also ease efforts for coordinating decision- resources and prepare communities for contractors, lack of effective coordination
making and actions. In the current context, it emergencies/disasters. mechanisms, delays in decision making,
also requires coordination between multiple and security issues and related delays. This
UN Agencies, development partners and is especially important in areas affected
governments. Therefore, it is essential to 4.1.8 Participation in decision by wars and civil strife. In disaster/war/civil
grasp opportunities for synergies with other making strife-affected situations, mapping of data
stakeholders and interventions that can and other information is often required
together contribute to institutionalizing Participation of relevant stakeholders in and hence projects need extended
project processes and to sustainability of making decisions related to development timelines and additional capacities. The
project assets. Communication, continued aims to meet the needs of countries and challenge is to provide adequate time for
advocacy and organising of consensus- individuals in a responsive, resource- the projects while optimising staff and
building and coordination events ensure that efficient and sustainable way. This refers to financial resources.
all partners are regularly informed about the participation of as well as coordination
what is going on. with regional entities; national, sub- The need for extensive negotiations with
national and local governments, governments, consensus building and
utilities and related parastatal; participation of relevant stakeholders for
4.1.7 Incorporate risks arising experts, practitioners, researchers and regional initiatives means that the time
due to unexpected events/ academicians; specialist institutions; civil required for the roll out of the regional
Climate Change society, including NGOs and community- initiatives is substantial. In addition,
based organisations and people who extensive community mobilization and
Natural calamities such as floods and are affected directly or indirectly by the strengthening of capacities of local
droughts, and civil strife in project areas or proposed interventions. Participation implementing partners is required for
in the surroundings, and/or in neighbouring of stakeholders through different securing adequate participation at the
countries or region as well as changes mechanisms ensures that all parties are implementation levels.

While UN-Habitat has successfully engaged support for rainwater harvesting and supported by the Urban Basic Services
local authorities and communities, it faces storage and for enhancing sustainable Branch, has successfully introduced
challenges in enhancing local stakeholder water management systems. UN-Habitat Human Values Based Water, Sanitation
participation for the timely and efficient is already: and Hygiene Educationto generate
delivery of programme outputs and positive behavioural change amongst
effective monitoring, quality assurance §§ Promoting pro-poor urban WatSan school children and local communities.
and evaluation systems. Participation also governance, empowerment processes These activities complement initiatives for
refers to the involvement community and inclusive planning for effective enhancing access to water and sanitation.
based builders, carpenters and so on in delivery of urban basic services UN-Habitat’s partnership with UNICEF
the construction of local assets rather than for a possible partnership in the region
employing small-scale external contractors. §§ Supporting incorporation of pro-poor for scaling-up of the initiative would be
and equity components in larger water commendable.
supply and sanitation funded projects of
4.2 Sub-Thematic Level the Regional Development Banks
4.2.2 Energy
Based on the outcome document of §§ Supporting improvements in how urban
the UN Conference on Sustainable areas and their WatSan infrastructure With a focus on sustainable development
Development (Rio+20 Summit) - The are planned with due consideration for and climate change, it is essential to
Future We Want, there is a need sustainability promote sustainable modern energy
for integrating economic, social and services for all. UN-Habitat is already
environmental sustainability. Specifically, §§ Supporting water supply and sanitation focusing on enhancing renewable
the challenges for the future in each sub- utilities, local governments, NGOs and energies, on promoting energy
thematic area are as given below. communities to help improve service efficiency, clean energies and low
provision for the urban poor and energy technologies and on supporting
leverage resources for scaling up implementation of national and sub-
4.2.1 Water and Sanitation national strategies focusing on energy
§§ Supporting capacity building legislation, regulations and finance.
Access to sanitation remains a priority interventions, including pre-investment
in many countries and therefore for UN- capacity enhancement of utility service An important issue affecting UN-Habitat’s
Habitat and other development partners. providers to facilitate effective loan/ support for enabling access to energy for
There are now various next-generation grant processing and utilization for all is the need for a holistic development
toilets6 that capture and process human expanded access to services approach for energy related initiatives.
waste without piped water, sewer or This is because the delivery of urban basic
electrical connections. In addition, these §§ Involved in collaborative work on services such as water, sanitation, waste
toilets transform human waste into useful Human Rights in the area of water and management and mobility have energy
resources, such as energy and water, at sanitation aspects that may not be entirely clear
an affordable price. UN-Habitat is in a to project partners, clients and donors
position to introduce appropriate solutions §§ Promoting gender mainstreaming and at all times. Thus, programmatically,
in several locations. empowerment processes in all projects interventions for enabling access to
with focus on the vulnerable individual services and for introducing
There are various dimensions to supporting energy efficient systems cannot be
sustainable access to water, including §§ Promoting the reuse of treated waste approached in isolation. This is a challenge
water because of the demand and also because
6 These include those developed under the Reinvent
finances are often available for specific
the Toilet Challenge - some of which are already
being used widely and others are undergoing trials. UN-Habitat, specifically under initiatives support/interventions. This situation is

additionally aggravated by the earmarked §§ Promote, facilitate and finance §§ Capacity building, knowledge sharing,
and project-based funding approach of technology transfer as appropriate public-private partnership principles,
development/ funding agencies. and support for appropriate policies,
§§ Access to and the development, transfer laws and regulation etc. for waste
UN-Habitat and other agencies continue and diffusion of environmentally sound management
to face an uphill task in introducing technologies and corresponding know-
energy efficient systems and alternative how §§ Improving wastewater treatment
technologies that are based on use of
human or animal waste due to various §§ Strengthen capacity-building for data §§ Enhancing water efficiency and
constraints/ misperceptions amongst collection and analysis in developing reduction in water losses
potential users. countries
§§ Promoting public-private partnerships
With the Global Energy Network for Urban to enhance capacity and technology
4.2.3 Transportation and Settlementsproject, UN-Habitat already for environmentally-sound waste
Mobility has the resources for promoting and management practices
implementation of accessible, affordable,
UN-Habitat is already focusing on the efficient, financially sustainable,
following priority areas for intervention: environmentally-friendly, safe transport 4.3 Project Levels
systems and for improving access and
§§ Promote non-motorised transport/ mobility for the poor. UN-Habitat has focussed on supporting
mobility, promoting pedestrian and the implementation of demonstration
cycling infrastructures and other initiatives that primarily benefit the poor
sustainable transportation in the world’s 4.2.4 Waste Management and vulnerable people, including women,
largest cities youth, people with disabilities and so on.
Waste management issues are often It has also been implementing housing
§§ Mass public transport to increase the addressed in a fragmented manner rather and infrastructure projects in disaster,
market share of public transport and than as an integrated component of vulnerable or strife-affected areas.
promote Mass Rapid Transit systems basic services delivery. It is essential to While UN-Habitat has been successfully
adopt a life cycle approach and support addressing cross-cutting issues in activities
§§ Comprehensive approach to transport the development and implementation across all interventions, additional efforts
by promoting mixed-use planning, of policies for resource efficiency and are required to work together with
efficient land use and reducing the need environmentally-sound waste management. Government departments, development
for transport in general UN-Habitat has been promoting the use partners, civil society and the private
of household/ institutional level biogas sector.
§§ Energy efficiency by supporting the units in several countries of Africa and
development of sustainable transport Asia. Additional efforts are required for
systems, including energy efficient multi- addressing issues of: 4.3.1 Cross-cutting issues
modal transport systems, notably public
mass transportation systems, clean §§ Recycling and reuse of waste, especially Cross-cutting issues, those requiring action
fuels and vehicles, as well as improved of biodegradable kitchen and garden across multiple sectors, are generally
transportation systems in rural areas waste referred to in terms of the social issues.
However, cross-cutting issues cover
§§ Energy efficiency measures in §§ Wastewater treatment to control environmental, social and economic-cum-
transportation and promoting of pollution and to increase water quality developmental aspects as follows:
incentives and research

Environmental aspects Social aspects Economic & Developmental aspects.
• Energy use/access • Socially responsive to local culture and values • Poverty reduction
• Use/conservation of resources and local of people • Scientific approach
materials • Gender equity • Appropriate technology
• Minimal pollution • Children and youth • Innovation
• Climate change • Disabilities
• Hazard risk reduction • Human rights
UN-Habitat works towards addressing • Opportunities are created for outputs are not always available on the
these issues in terms of how they affect colleagues to flag related cross- database. In many instances, only the
human settlements and how they are cutting issues, especially at the financial information reflects progress
affected because of developmental concept and project design stages in implementation of the initiatives. This
policies, services and urbanisation indicates that the System has yet to
processes. UN-Habitat can use its • Formulate indicators to adequately become the reference point for sharing
leverage to ensure that cross-cutting reflect the integration and monitoring data/ details regarding the different
issues, including gender, climate, of cross-cutting issues initiatives supported by different UN-
technological and the environment, are Habitat Branches and regional offices.
clearly articulated and integrated into • Responsibility is assigned for For a genuinely coordinated approach to
nationally-led processes. The aim is to monitoring the implementation of development, it is essential that the Project
advance gender equality and inclusive cross-cutting issues Approval and Accountability System or
development, and to contribute to any appropriate database of UN-Habitat is
reducing the effects of climate change. • A percentage of project resources are easier to use for administrative, financial
Further, it is essential to support women reserved for incorporating solutions and project level monitoring purposes.
and people with disability to participate for cross-cutting issues
in all stages of the decision-making and
implement initiatives that are responsive • All capacity building initiatives to 4.3.3 Project Designs
to their needs. The involvement of incorporate cross-cutting issues
women in planning, decision-making and Although the scope of projects are
implementation of WatSan infrastructure is • Emphasize the importance of a determined to match availability of
encouraged. lifecycle perspective in order to financial resources and other initiatives of
find synergies and avoid moving development partners in an intervention
The ultimate responsibility for ensuring environmental and other impacts area, it is important to apply different
that cross-cutting issues are integrated from one phase of the lifecycle to development scenarios during the project
rests with the lead persons for each sub- another planning period. This contributes to
thematic area as well as with the social, clarifying actions and building consensus
economic, sustainable development amongst the various stakeholders, and
specialists. The mechanisms that can be 4.3.2 Project management generates a demand for expanding and
strengthened for integrating cross-cutting managing similar actions in other urban
issues include: The use of the Project Approval and areas.
Accountability System shows that
• Ensuring that the means for currently, project details, especially The greatest opportunity is in
addressing cross-cutting issues in descriptive details regarding project incorporating energy, waste management,
each sub-thematic areas are listed locations, context, goal, activities and and livelihoods-related concerns

and disaster risk mitigation and other information is often required, departments, public service providers
adaptation components in the design of projects require extended timelines and and institutions for partnering and
demonstration projects. The interventions additional capacities. The challenge is to coordinating effectively with multiple
need to be planned and designed as provide adequate time while optimising stakeholders, for involving urban residents
part of citywide systems – irrespective of staff and financial resources. and the poor in decision-making, and
whether intervention areas are connected for mobilising communities. This gap is
to citywide networks or are planned as often addressed by partnering with NGOs,
self-sustaining areas. This requires greater 4.3.5 Project implementation local training institutions and resource
awareness about urban planning and and sustainability centres such as for training in financial
management issues, as well as skills for management, procurement, water
participatory project design amongst those The sustainability of facilities created in demand management, poverty mapping,
preparing project proposals. It also requires schools, post-offices and so on under gender mainstreaming, operation and
experience and understanding about projects as well as post-project operation maintenance, Human Values Based Water,
participatory decision-making, especially and maintenance of community-level Sanitation and Hygiene Educationand
for those for whom the project is planned. assets are a major challenge, primarily monitoring.
due to lack of adequate maintenance
funds and in some cases capacities. Consultations, workshops and policy
4.3.4 Project roll-out period and Though community-level institutions are discussions, jointly organised by
duration established in project areas, they require development partners and involving
handholding for leveraging support governments, experts, practitioners and
Projects require extensive negotiations from the government for long-term other stakeholders against the backdrop
with governments to secure their sustainability. One option in such situations of ongoing sector reforms and/or debates
support and signing of MoUs; extensive is to leverage funds from the government have yielded benefits in terms of sector
interactions for community/stakeholder or establish a maintenance fund through assessment and developing sectoral
mobilization to secure adequate contribution from various stakeholders. strategies. Capacity building for all key
participation and time for building stakeholders, especially decision-makers
trust and partnerships with multiple A related challenge is the depletion via peer-to-peer sharing has several
functionaries at different governmental of water resources and its impact on benefits, especially when new approaches,
levels. In addition, the partners have to sustainability of projects, especially for processes or technologies are being
go through lengthy administrative and areas where water supply is dependent considered. Exchange visits and national/
procurement procedures at national on underground sources and where regional workshops provide opportunities
and local government levels, and build/ salinity is a major issue. While salinity for experts and practitioners to better
strengthen capacities of local stakeholders does not pose a health hazard, it requires understand and appreciate the benefits
and some implementing partners to regular water-quality monitoring for of adapting appropriate development
manage the projects. In addition, project testing bacteriological and chemical practices, processes and approaches. The
timelines need to build in factors that contamination. involvement of senior government staff
cause delays, including limited capacities in Technical Working Groups helps in
or availability of contractors, lack of building capacities, sharing knowledge
effective coordination mechanisms, delays 4.3.6 Building Capacities about global best practices, optional
in decision making and security issues technologies and approaches and also
and related delays. In some instances, A gap in capacities for strategizing, promotes national ownership.
additional negotiations are involved for planning, and implementing integrated
meeting the auditing requirements of development initiatives exists at Community to community exchanges are
projects. In disaster/war/civil strife-affected various levels. There is also often a effective in popularising development
situations where mapping of data and gap in capacities among government approaches and technologies that are not

widely adopted. Exchange visits help in commodity prices, it is difficult for them implementing sustainable approaches and
generating a demand from communities to pay for creating household assets. A processes at a smaller scale in different
for other development interventions that combination of grant and revolving funds countries. UN-Habitat is therefore in a
may be supported by the government/ for the very poor households provides a position to build on the achievements
other service providers. For most good alternative for encouraging them and upscale tested initiatives and viable
intervention areas, the involvement of to opt for construction of water and technologies.
community-based leaders and trades- sanitation facilities. Thus, establishment and
people (builders, plumbers, carpenters management of revolving funds/grants that However, the context has changed
and so on) in the actual implementation households can access for getting individual dramatically because of the urgent need
deepens the community’s involvement, connections are important components to address sustainability issues and risks
provides employment, brings additional for projects aimed at enhancing access to related to climate change. In terms of
financial resources into the community and water supply and sanitation. The repayment the types of responses and actions that
builds capacities. However, in settlements is easy when tied. can be taken to address urban basic
that have migrant population that lack services issues, the context has changed
marketable skills and hence cannot afford to services costs/bills. The revolving funds because of the global focus on poverty
to pay for the services, capacity building require close follow-up by community- reduction and the commitments for
is required in trades that enhance their based organisations or NGOs, and achieving the Goals’ targets. In addition,
employability. extensive community mobilization for advances in information technology have
effective and efficient use of the funds. dramatically impacted upon management
Another capacity issue relates to non- Further, since the poor are occupied in practices, communication, coordination
English (French and Spanish) speaking earning daily wages, their participation in and transparency. The wider changes
areas and partners. Project delays have decision-making and construction of assets in context are complemented by global
occurred in some countries due to the is limited. support for entrepreneurs and innovations
low capacity of local partners to produce for addressing service delivery and climate
outputs/ documents in English. In Asia, change related problems.
the capacities of implementing partners 4.4 Looking forward
are enhanced through training in project to 2013/ Next steps It is now essential to consolidate the
reporting, sharing of sample reports from experiences and lessons from small scale
other projects and developing templates UN-Habitat has been facing various interventions to upscale/ launch larger
for reporting. In a few instances, partners challenges related to the thematic area scale interventions that have greater
have been encouraged to prepare detailed of urban basic services because of the policy impact and improve access to basic
reports in their native language and a changing development and environmental services for more people. As highlighted
summary report in English. context, the current economic situation, earlier, although projects’ scope are
and other local ones in project areas. determined to match availability of
UN-Habitat is already reaching out to financial resources and other initiatives of
4.3.7 Mobilising community more people by working at regional development partners in an intervention
contributions/Micro- levels and through infrastructure projects area, it is important that new project
finance/Revolving funds in disaster or civil strife affected areas. proposals for urban basic services
The initiatives supported by UN-Habitat initiatives are strategically aligned to
The pro-poor emphasis of initiatives/ focus on different levels – policy, interventions in related theme areas. One
focus on mainly poor and vulnerable institutional and stakeholder. The pro- option is to use city-level and national
households poses challenges. Further, in poor focus of initiatives complements the level interventions under the sub-themes
the current economic scenario worldwide Government’s focus on achieving poverty of mobility and energy to identify policy
when the poor are adversely impacted by reduction and Goals’ targets. It also has actions and intervention areas for WatSan
high inflation and significant increases in substantial knowledge and experience in and waste management. This entails

complementing activities of sub-theme In terms of locations where UN-Habitat the management of the Trust Fund will be
areas to provide services, and upgrade can substantially contribute to achieving developed for approval by the Trust Fund’s
and/or redevelop areas that demonstrate the Goals, requests from countries where Management Board.
at the city-level how development goals MDG-accelerated Action Plans7 have been
can be attained. The use of a gender developed, or where completed action
framework and focus on the vulnerable plans are under implementation, can be
(including people with disabilities, children considered on a priority basis.
and youth) can also be built upon to
garner additional support. Besides the emphasis on energy and
mobility related interventions, there is
In addition, interventions need to be need to upscale sanitation and Human
planned and designed as part of citywide Values Based Water, Sanitation and
systems – irrespective of whether Hygiene Education-related interventions
intervention areas are connected to since the this target is among the
citywide networks or are planned as self- most lagging of the Goals. Funding for
sustaining areas. The Branch needs to sanitation interventions is also likely to be
invest in support for preparing project more easily available in response to the
proposals by professionals able to UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on
contextualise sustainable development Sanitation8.
and environmental issues, and incorporate
wider urban planning and management The preparation of this Report has revealed
concerns. There should be a focus on that annual programme details are not
optimally using financial resources through available easily. It may therefore be useful
demonstration projects in a way that for each project to update the project/
enables partnerships with the government programme templates annually for easy
and private sector to be strengthened for reference in-house.
up scaling as well as influencing policy
guidelines. The year 2013 will see the
operationalization of the Urban Basic
Clear entry and exit strategies (irrespective Services Trust Fund as a one-stop financing
of timelines) are important to ensure that mechanism aimed at bringing in new
all stakeholders work towards continuation investment and innovative ideas to urban
of processes and sustainability of assets basic services. Building on the experiences
created. This includes supporting and lessons learned in the Water and
empowered community groups to take-on Sanitation Trust Fund, the Urban Basic
long-term responsibilities for monitoring, Services Trust Fund will support the
and operation and maintenance of assets. expansion of the UN-Habitat portfolio
of energy, mobility, waste management
In ongoing projects, UN-Habitat has the and drainage while retaining and building
option of investing in project reviews that the water and sanitation portfolio. The
recommend ways of making the processes/ operational guidelines that will set out the
community structures, partnerships and principles, rules and procedures to guide
assets more sustainable. This includes
7 Millennium Development Goals Acceleration Frame-
actions for optimal utilisation of available work
human and financial resources. 8 Launched in March 2013

Wastewater treatment plant
© Wade H. Massie / Shutterstock

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Expected Accomplishments and indicators of achievements for environmentally sound basic urban infrastructure and
services (FA 4)
Expected Accomplishments Indicator of achievement
EA1: An enabling policy and (i) Number of countries progressively adopting relevant policies that aim to expand access
institutional framework promotes to environmentally sound urban infrastructure and services
expanded access to environmentally
sound urban infrastructure and (ii) Number of institutions in target countries progressively adopting institutional
services. mechanisms that expand access to environmentally sound urban infrastructure and
services
(iii) Increased number of people in target communities with access to environmentally

sound basic urban infrastructure services with support from UN-Habitat
EA2: Increased institutional efficiency (i) percentage of service providers (water & sanitation utilities) supported by UN-Habitat
and affordability in the provision of recovering at least 95 per cent of operation and maintenance costs of services
basic urban infrastructure and services
(i) Percentage of consumers ranking basic urban infrastructure services as the first three of
their priority needs.
EA3: Enhanced consumer demand (ii) Percentage of consumers of UN-Habitat partner service provider organizations reporting
for efficient and environmentally satisfaction with services provided.
sustainable basic urban infrastructure
and services.
Source: UN-Habitat 2013. Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) 2008-
2013

HS/061/13E
United Nations Human Settlements Programme

P. O. Box 30030, GPO Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
Telephone: +254 20 762 3120
Fax: +254 20 762 3477
Infohabitat@unhabitat.org
www.unhabitat.org

Urban Basic Services Portfolio

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Urban Basic Services Portfolio

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2012 Annual Report

Urban Basic Services Portfolio

2012 Annual Report | Urban Basic Services Portfolio 1

Water treatment facility with large pools of water

Bodaboda transport, Kenya

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4.1.3 Adoption of alternative/innovative technologies....................................................................................................... 67

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ADB Asian Development Bank NMT Non-Motorised Transport

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d. Conducting short interviews with the coordinators of

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2.1.3 Annual Report for

The Urban Basic Services Branch has

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Table 1: Sources of information

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Worldwide Africa Arab Asia- LAC Europe Total

Further attempts at garnering additional

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Brief interviews were held with §§ Summary of financial implementation

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Programmatic Area Total

The support provided by UN-Habitat and partners is having a catalytic

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UN-Habitat Focus Area 4

Water and sanitation Urban Energy Urban Mobility Urban WasteManagement

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water & sanitation

Increased flow of investments into Watsan sector

Improved MDG monitoring mechanisms

Mainstreaming adaptation to climate change

Promote a human value-based approach to water, sanitation and hygiene education

Strengthen capacities of water and sanitation providers

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Project Title Water for Cities Programme

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§§ In Rwanda, the construction of 40

§§ In Malawi, UN-Habitat promoted the

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Project Title Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Program

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Mobilising Community contribution: Low coordination capacity of service

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Project Title Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance – GWOPA