South Asia Project Brief: Bhutan Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Sector Project

Abstract

The objective of the project was to promote human development and good urban governance in Bangladesh’s secondary towns by helping the selected pourashavas to enhance accountability in municipal management and strengthen their ability to provide improved municipal services. The project aimed to develop and expand physical infrastructure and urban services to increase economic opportunities, and to reduce the vulnerability of inhabitants of secondary towns to environmental hazards and poverty. The project also sought to support active participation by the community— particularly women—in municipal management and services. The Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Sector Project is in line with the strategic directions of ADB’s South Asia Department. The strategy focuses on sustainable infrastructure, climate change mitigation and adaptation, human development, regional cooperation and integration, public–private partnership, and good governance. The improved roads increased motorized traffic movement by nearly 53%, and the construction works created about 537,000 person-days of direct and 246,000 person-days of indirect employment opportunities