Page 1 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: AC1993 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 07/26/2006 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: China Project ID: P092631 Project Name: Xian Urban Transport Project Task Team Leader: Rakhi Basu Estimated Appraisal Date: March 17, 2007 Estimated Board Date: July 17, 2007 Managing Unit: EASTR Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: General transportation sector (96%);Sub-national government administration (4%) Theme: Access to urban services and housing (P);Other urban development (P);Municipal governance and institution building (S);Pollution management and environmental health (S) IBRD Amount (US$m.): 150.00 IDA Amount (US$m.): 0.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: BORROWER 253.00 253.00 B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN] The project development objective is to improve accessibility and mobility in Xi'an, while reducing the environmental impact of urban transport system, and protecting Xi'an's cultural heritage, with a particular focus on the Ming walled city. Key performance indicators being considered are: 1. Reduction in travel times for key user groups (i.e. cyclists, pedestrians, public transport users). 2. Reductions in car traffic to/from and across the Ming walled city and the Han Chang'an site. 3. Increases in bus operating efficiency - on street speeds, reliability, passenger flows/bus 4. Reduction in levels of key pollutants to national standards or better. C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN] To achieve the above-mentioned objective and results, the project will include: Page 2 Urban road network - Although Xi'an has a clearly defined hierarchy of roads, some further improvements to arterial roads and junctions are required to bring them up to consistent standards are required so as to ensure the most effective and efficient operation of the network within the third ring road. In addition the city lacks an effective network of secondary roads within the existing areas (including the Ming walled city) as well as new secondary roads to service the newly developing areas. The current low density of the secondary road network forces traffic on the main roads for even short distance trips and inhibits the efficient development of new peripheral areas and land in Huxian County. Also lacking are adequate facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to cross main roads. This component consists of a package of investments within the 3rd Ring Road to complement the investments in new major roads being made by ADB and XMG. It will include: (i) Junction improvements and additional interchanges on the first ring road (around the Ming walled city) to increase the capacity and efficiency of this road, so as too attract traffic that would otherwise cross the Ming walled city. (ii) Upgrading to multi-level interchanges of two remaining at grade junctions on the second ring road, with the same objective as item (i) (iii) Construction of pedestrian bridges and underpasses to improve pedestrian mobility across major roads and PT routes, and (iv) Upgrading of the road maintenance system. Also included are roads to facilitate the urban expansion of the satellite town of Huxian, selected for priority development. Public Transport. This component consists of a package of measures to strengthen public transport performance: (i) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). One pilot demonstration corridor, inclusive of bus costs, passenger facilities (interchanges, terminals and stops, information systems) and ancillary equipment (ticketing, bus location system), as well as TA for system planning, design, and operations support. (ii) Ten bus priority corridors: 100 kms. of bus lanes, and associated facilities, to improve operating speeds and reliability. (iii) Interchanges: Three interchanges hubs to improve facilities for passengers (iv) One bus depot and maintenance yard (including land). Traffic Management and Road Safety - The objectives of this component are to protect the Ming walled city and other cultural heritage sites thorough the upgrading of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic facilities and the foundation of an ITS (Intelligent Transport System), which will facilitate mobility management and ensure the safe and efficient use of the existing road and public transport networks. The component complements investments in the ADB project, and includes: (i) Setting up an Area Traffic Control (ATC) system including CCTV, and associated junction channelization (ii) Road safety program, including accident analysis software, accident investigation equipment, remedial measures, road user education and enforcement initiatives and equipment Page 3 (iii) Parking measures and equipment (iv) Pedestrian facilities (v) Bicycle facilities (vi) Technical Assistance for ATC, Accident Analysis, Parking Study and Travel Demand Management (TDM) Study. Air Quality Management - Xi'an Environmental Protection Bureau (XEPB) has comprehensive and ambitious plans to improve air quality and to reduce vehicular emissions. For this project, they proposed five activities which will allow them to expand air quality management (AQM), with a focus on vehicular emissions: 1. Ambient air quality monitoring which will cover fixed and mobile monitoring, 2. Vehicle emissions monitoring and control measures for laboratory based and remote sensing equipment and activities, 3. Other priority point source emissions control measures, 4. Information management and data analysis for air quality management for the city, and 5. AQM policy, planning, and institutional strengthening. Cultural Heritage. This component is designed to provide transport infrastructure to support proposals to protect and enhance two of the major historic sites in Xi'an. Two subcomponents are proposed: (i) Han Chang'an Site - Pedestrian and Bicycle Paths for the Weiyang Palace Site.The purpose of the subcomponent is to provide better access for people to visit the Weiyang Palace site by marking and utilizing the ancient roads. The proposal includes four pedestrian and bicycle paths (6 or 8 m wide, and about 7 km long in total) inside the site, and one access road connecting the site and Daxing Rd, a main urban road of the city. (ii) Bicycle Ring inside the Ming City Wall and the 15 Scenic Spots Bicycle Route. This subcomponent would provide support for investments in bicycle facilities within the Ming City. 50% of tourists who come to Xi'an visit the Ming City Walls. The objectives of the subcomponent extend beyond providing bicycle routes and aim to be a catalyst for more fundamental changes in the approach to traffic management in the Ming City. Capacity Building. This component is designed to respond to the request from Xi'an for Bank assistance to develop a capacity in the city for transport planning and policy making. To date, these topics have been suggested for possible TA support in the project: (i) Strategy Study and Short Term Improvement Program - given the urgent need for this capacity building, it is being considered for possible retroactive financing. (ii) BRT planning, design and implementation assistance (iii) PT planning and Reform (iv) Traffic Management - ATC, Parking, Accident Analysis, and TDM (v) AQM Vehicle Emissions (vi) Ming City Management Plan (vii) Financial Planning. D. Project location (if known) Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China Page 4 E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN] To be determined F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Mr Peishen Wang (EASEN) Mr Zhefu Liu (EASSD) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) X The project will prepare a city-wide EIA which will include consideration of impacts from individual components. Issues related to noise levels from traffic and how these can be mitigated will also be included in the EIA. The task team will look at the EIA prepared for the ADB Urban Transport project (currently under implementation) to see if ADB have done similar work and potentially build on it. Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) X Forests (OP/BP 4.36) X Pest Management (OP 4.09) X Cultural Property (OPN 11.03) X A Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the Ming walled city is to be developed to fit with the overall 100-year heritage plan developed by the city. All investment activities currently proposed within the Ming walled city are for traffic management, which will utilize existing road space, and will not involve demolition of historic structures or land acquisition. The EIA will include a screening mechanism for activities and resulting impacts in the Ming walled city such as that of increased visitors in the site as a result of the improvements financed by the project. Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) X Part of the population of Xian is Muslims who have been resident in the city for centuries. The Social Assessment (SA) will include data on this population as stakeholders in the context of traffic improvements, cultural heritage activities, and land acquisition. The SA will inform the planning of consultation arrangements for different stakeholders including the Muslim population. The SA will also include the results of a screening on ethnic minorities in the areas affected by road construction to greenfield sites or within the satellite town in Huxian County. In addition, a special social assessment report will be prepared by Prof. Li Xiaoyun. Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) X There will be land acquisition and some resettlement, although the scale of land acquisition and resettlement is not yet known as the activities in the road and public transport components are still being identified. Prior to appraisal all the subcomponents will be identified and two RAPs prepared-one for Xian and one for Huxian County. In Houxian County, there is possible acquisition of rural collective land. Consultation will be key factor in the acquisition process. The relocation process will be done upfront and in a transparent manner. The task team will consult the Sichuan Urban Development Project team for some guidance in this area. Linkage. Potential issues related with linkages with the on-going ADB project have been flagged. The task team will review the resettlement procedure adopted in the ADB project as Page 5 Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD part of a due diligence exercise. Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) X Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) X Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) X Environmental Category: A - Full Assessment III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS would be prepared: 02/12/2007 B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage ISDS: 01/12/2007 C. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing 1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS. 08/07/2006 to 01/15/2007 IV. APPROVALS Signed and submitted by: Task Team Leader: Ms Rakhi Basu 07/17/2006 Approved by: Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Mr Glenn S. Morgan 07/19/2006 Comments: Sector Manager: Mr Jitendra N. Bajpai 07/19/2006 Comments: 1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons. Page 6