A major concern with the rapid spread of technology is that it replaces some jobs, displacing workers. However, technology may raise firm productivity, generating more jobs.
... See More + The paper contributes to this debate by exploiting a novel panel data set for Chilean firms in all sectors between 2007 and 2013. While previous studies examine the impacts of automation on the use of routine tasks by middle-educated workers. this study focuses on a measure of complex software that is typically used by more educated workers in cognitive and nonroutine tasks for client, production, and business management. The instrumental variables estimates show that in the medium run, firms' adoption of complex software affects firms' employment decisions and the skill content of occupations. The adoption of complex software reallocates employment from skilled workers to administrative and unskilled production workers. This reallocation leads to an increase in the use of routine and manual tasks and a reduction in the use of abstract tasks within firms. Interestingly, the impacts tend to be concentrated in sectors with a less educated workforce, suggesting that technology can constrain job creation for the more skilled workers there. The paper concludes that the type of technology matters for understanding the impacts of technology adoption on the labor market.
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Policy Research Working Paper WPS8110 JUN 23, 2017
Reforms of national customs agencies are supported by increasingamounts of development aid. However, there have been very fewformal evaluations of their effectiveness.
... See More + This note summarizesresearch about the impact of the In-House Clearance Program onparticipating firms in Serbia. The IHC program allows qualifyingfirms to clear customs from within their own warehouses rather thanat the customs offices. Firms adopting the program experiencedimproved predictability of clearance times; however, the reform didnot have an impact on median clearance times, inspection rates, orimport values.
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The development objective of the Medium Cities Development Project for Vietnam is to increase access to improved urban infrastructure services in Lao Cai City, Phu Ly City, and Vinh City in a sustainable and efficient manner.
... See More + This Project Paper seeks the approval of the Executive Directors to provide an additional IDA Scale-Up Facility (SUF) credit in an amount of USD 40 million and an additional credit of USD 13 million to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the Medium Cities Development Project (MCDP). The proposed Additional Financing (AF) will: (i) close a financing gap caused by the appreciation of the US Dollar (USD) against the Special Drawing Rights (SDR); and (ii) enable scaling-up of activities in two of the three project cities (Lao Cai City in Lao Cai Province, and Phu Ly City in Ha Nam Province). Concurrently, it is proposed a first level restructuring, which includes modifications of the Project Development Objectives (PDO) and Results Framework (RF) of MCDP as set forth in Section III below and to extend the closing date of the original IDA credit to June 30, 2018 and the closing date of MCDP to December 31, 2020.
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This paper is a study of the effect of Brazil's staggered Internet rollout between 2000 and 2014 on municipality employment and wages. The study uses a new, annual data set on Internet availability from the Brazil school census, with the assumption that the share of schools that have Internet access in each municipality reflects the general accessibility of Internet connections.
... See More + These data are combined with Brazil's rich, matched employer-employee survey, which contains annual occupation and wage earnings information for all formally-employed workers in Brazil across all sectors, including primary, secondary, and tertiary industry groups. Contemporaneous and lagged effects are considered. The analysis finds that increased Internet access has no statistically significant net effect on aggregate employment, and has a negative effect on average wages, with a reduction in measures of wage dispersion. Brazil’s Internet rollout results in employment shifts from sectors with more limited expansion opportunities (wholesale and retail trade, public administration, and largely publicly-owned utilities, which jointly comprise almost half of the formal workforce in 2010) to sectors with more output expansion opportunities. The employment effects are positive and most pronounced in the manufacturing, transport and storage, finance and insurance, and hospitality industry groups. In the manufacturing sector, Internet access induces positive employment and wage effects in medium- and high-skill occupations.
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Policy Research Working Paper WPS8042 APR 26, 2017
The development objective of the Urban Development Support Project for Afghanistan is to create an enabling policy framework and capacity at the national and local levels to strengthen city planning, management and service delivery.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures are includes : (i) prevent environmental degradation as a result of either individual subprojects or their cumulative effects; (ii) all affected persons (APs) losing land with or without title, formal land-use rights or traditional land use rights; (iii) permanent improvements they have made to the land they have occupied; (iv) replacement value in cash at current market rates free of deductions for transaction costs; (v) affected leaseholders will receive cash compensation corresponding to one year‘s crop yield of land lost; (vi) compensation for productive trees is based on the gross market value of 1 year income for the number of years needed to grow a new tree with the productive potential of the lost tree; (v) compensation for permanent business losses will be in cash for the period deemed necessary to re-establish the business; (vi) house renters forced to relocate will receive a rental allowance and will be assisted in identifying alternative accommodation.
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The development objective of Victoria Transport Program Project for Rwanda is to contribute to the efficient and safe movement of goods and people in accessing and traversing Lake Victoria.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (i) loss of dwellings (Residential structures); (ii) loss of institutional buildings or public facilities; (iii) loss of agricultural land, trees, and standing crops; (iv) impeded or lost access to community resources including forest and woodland; (v) loss of business income during transition; (vi) reduced income resulting from these losses; (vii) land replacement at new site, plus land clearing by project; (viii) Compensation at full replacement value not depreciates, taking into account market values forstructures and materials; (ix) compensation at full replacement of structures and rigth tosalvage materials, relocation to resettlement site, with payment of site rent; (x) compensation for Residential to be partially and totally demolished;
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The objective of the Transport Sector Improvement Project for Ghana is to improve the management of Transport Sector and improve road asset management of the classified road network.
... See More + This will be achieved through targeted institutional and expenditure reviews, the introduction of performance-based road contracting on selected roads and selected coordinated road safety activities. Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (i) ensuring effective use of water to control dust emission; (ii) water dousing to minimize dust; (iii) covering of hauling trucks carrying sand to avoid dust emission; (iv) panting tall, leafy and dense vegetation between roads and human settlements to filter pollutants; (v) minimizing the area of ground clearance along the construction corridor; (vi) provide settling basins to remove silt, pollutants, and debris from road runoff water before discharge to adjoining streams or rivers; (vii) crossing of water bodies will be minimized, and buffer zones of undisturbed vegetation will be left between roads and watercourses; (viii) ensure that stockpiles do not block surface runoff drains or natural drainage; (ix) spray water on exposed soil surfaces and access roads; (x) ensure all occupational health and safety requirements are in place on construction sites and in work camps.
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The water and sanitation sector in Indian cities is characterized by weak accountability processes and lack of customer orientation. The institutional focus of service providers tends to be on creating new assets, rather than delivery of services and performance efficiency.
... See More + Moreover, in the absence of reliable service data, the planning processes that inform the creation of new assets are often not aligned with the needs and priorities of citizens. In 2009, the Service Level Benchmarks (SLB) program was introduced by the Government of India’s Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) to strengthen the focus on service delivery. Under this program, service providers reportperformance on a standardized set of indicators for delivery of water supply, wastewater, solid waste management and storm-water drainage services. While the SLB data have gradually become an integral component of India’s urban reform formulations, the availability and quality of this data have tended to remain poor. It is also seen to reflect only the service providers’ point of view, not the citizens’ perspective on service delivery. In recent years, various social accountability tools and participation processes have also been introduced in India to strengthen pressures for improved public services and foster citizens’ involvement in planning processes. While these initiatives have helped strengthen the overall focus on service delivery, basic services such as water and sanitation have largely remained outside their purview. This report presents the findings, achievements and lessons that emerged from implementing the SLB-C initiative in Indian cities with varied contexts, and its subsequent use under a national urban program. It provides recommendations for future similar initiatives.
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The Government of Tanzania intends to establish, operate and manage the BusRapid Transit (BRT) system, which is the cost effective sustainable transportation systemfor Dar es Salaam City to ensure fast and orderly flow of traffic on urban streets androads.
... See More + The BRT project follows the current land use plan that shows an extension of planned residential areas in the north-west direction along Ali Hassan Mwinyi road, in the south direction along Kilwa road and in Tabata area. The main objective of the BRT project is to ensure orderly flow of traffic in urban streets and roads by increasing the level of mobility and to meet the ever increasing travel demand of the city residents with ultimate aim of increasing comfort and quality of life and urban development. Apart from improving public urban transport in Dar es salaam City, BRT system intends to generate more jobs to residents by involving people to invest in the BRT system bus operation, fund management and fare collection companies. The objective of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is therefore to identify and predict the impacts likely to be associated with the construction and use of the BRT system and propose mitigation measures. These interventions andmitigation measures are to be incorporated into tender documents for contractors’ dossiers during project implementation.
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The development objective of the Tanzania Strategic Cities Project is to improve the quality of and access to basic urban services in participating Local Government Authorities (LGAs).
... See More + The project has three components. First component, urban infrastructure and services improves core infrastructure and key urban services in the project LGAs through the provision of: (a) investment in core urban infrastructure and services subprojects prioritized by the project LGAs that include: (i) urban roads and drainage, culverts, bridges, footpaths and street lighting; (ii) solid waste management (SWM) including solid waste collection centers, equipment for transportation and disposal, and the development or improvement of waste disposal sites; and (iii) local infrastructure such as bus stands, terminals and lorry stations; and (b) construction supervision support and technical assistance specifically for the implementation and monitoring of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) linked to subprojects; Second component, institutional strengthening the fiscal and management capacity of participating LGAs and PO-RALG for improved operations and maintenance (O&M) and infrastructure development through the provision of support for: (a) urban infrastructure development and management including technical design, procurement, financial management, contract management, and environmental and social safeguards; (b) upgrading systems for asset management and O&M; (c) enhanced management and cost recovery of key urban services; (d) improved revenue collection from all sources within the Participating LGA’s jurisdiction (including property rates, city service levy, fees and charges, etc.); (e) improved strategic urban planning; and (f) strengthened capacity of PO-RALG to provide sustained support and guidance to participating LGAs in the areas of urban infrastructure development and urban management; Third component, implementation support and preparation of future Urban Projects provision of: (a) financing for: (i) the procurement of office furniture, IT equipment and vehicles to facilitate the coordination and supervision of Project activities; (ii) technical assistance and consultancy services to augment the capacity of PO-RALG for Project implementation; (iii) consultancy services for the Mid Term Review (MTR) and impact assessment; (iv) operating costs including the cost of technical and steering committee meetings, Project workshops and the annual audit of Project accounts; (b) financing for the preparation of future urban projects, focusing specifically on the design and preparation of afuture investment project for Dar es Salaam, including support for preparatory studies and the detailed design of priority investments; and (c) financing for studies and technical assistance to inform the preparation and implementation of a national urban policy.
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The Project Development Objective (PDO) of the Feeder Roads Development Project (FRDP) for Rwanda is to enhance all season road connectivity to agricultural market centers in selected districts.
... See More + Some of the negetive impacts and mitigation measures are includes : (i) exhaust fumes and dust emission from movement of construction trucks and equipment and construction activities like digging etc.; (ii) improper disposal of sanitary waste from work camps; (iii) air pollution is due to generation of noxious gases emanating from asphalt plants, construction equipment, crushers etc., while noise pollution is due to operation of various types of construction equipment; (iv) drainage discharging their sediments into water bodies; (v) conflicts with incompatible activities and land uses; (vi) inadequate provision and inappropriate method of storm water disposal; (vii) temporary storage of sanitary and cleaning wastes in containers. disposal should occur at waste dumps; (viii) adequate sanitary facilities should be available for workers and open range defecation should not be countenanced; (ix) provide speed control ramps where road is close to community to avoid dust emissions; (x) regular maintenance of sediment management structure to ensure sediment capture without transport to water courses; (xi) provide speed ramps when close to community with visible road signs; (xii) roads alignment will be done by avoiding rare and endemic species where possible and new forest, shrubs and grasses will be planted in other places to compensate the lost forest; (xiii) road and other works should not be executed under aggressive weather conditions (rains, strong winds); (xiv) integrating land stability into the road designs to address the landslide risks. The planting of grasses on embankments slopes with low landslide risks, stone masonry construction on embankments’ slopes with high risks; tree planting along rehabilitated roads and other critical areas should be considered.
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The development objective of the Central Highlands Connectivity Improvement Project for Vietnam is to improve safe and climate-resilient road connectivity along the National Highway 19 Central Highlands-Central Coast corridor in Vietnam.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures are include : (i) locating temporary storage area for stockpiles shall take into consideration the prevailing wind directions and locations of sensitive receptors; (ii) avoid running to many machines and engine at the same time to keep noise and vibration levels within limites, for example truck engine must be turned of whike the bull-dozer is working; (iii) ensure drainage system including drains along and crossing the road, drainage ditches within and surrounding construction sites maintained regularly, cleared of mud and other obstructions; (iv) reuse excavated topsoil for areas where vegetation cover need to be created or recreated; (v) tree cutting and vegetation clearing shall be limited within the land area acquired by the Project. Prohibit cutting of any tree unless explicitly authorized in the vegetation clearing plan. Relocate and replant the affected trees where possible; (vi) all affected areas shall be landscaped and any necessary remedial works shall be undertaken without delay, including green-spacing, roads, bridges and other existing works; (vii) fences must be constructed around the construction site to restrict access of public whenever there is any potential danger that needs to be avoided;
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The development objective of the Central Highlands Connectivity Improvement Project for Vietnam is to improve safe and climate-resilient road connectivity along the National Highway 19 Central Highlands-Central Coast corridor in Vietnam.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures are include : (i) locating temporary storage area for stockpiles shall take into consideration the prevailing wind directions and locations of sensitive receptors; (ii) avoid running to many machines and engine at the same time to keep noise and vibration levels within limites, for example truck engine must be turned of whike the bull-dozer is working; (iii) ensure drainage system including drains along and crossing the road, drainage ditches within and surrounding construction sites maintained regularly, cleared of mud and other obstructions; (iv) reuse excavated topsoil for areas where vegetation cover need to be created or recreated; (v) tree cutting and vegetation clearing shall be limited within the land area acquired by the Project. Prohibit cutting of any tree unless explicitly authorized in the vegetation clearing plan. Relocate and replant the affected trees where possible; (vi) all affected areas shall be landscaped and any necessary remedial works shall be undertaken without delay, including green-spacing, roads, bridges and other existing works; (vii) fences must be constructed around the construction site to restrict access of public whenever there is any potential danger that needs to be avoided;
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The development objective of the Dakar Bus Rapid Transit Development Project for Senegal is to identify, assess and propose measures for the mitigation of environmental and social impacts likely to result from the project.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts are includes : (i) destruction of trees on certain parts of the segment because of the enlargement of the right of-way and in some areas, including sandpits and quaries; (ii) risks of HIV/AIDS spread in the municipalities crossed; (iii) potential losses of income and assets, structures and facilities and other assets on the route); (iv) nuisances caused by waste generated on the site; (v) measures for capacity-building, surveillance and environmental monitoring; etc.; Some of the mitigation measures are includes : (i) acquisition of a station measuring air pollution; (ii) restore and compensatory reforestation, alignment; (iii) development of platforms/points for waste collection; (iv) operation of the communication platform between the company and the communities; (v) reconditioning of temporary sites of the company (loans, deposits, deviations, bases); (vi) signalling and safety equipment (capacity-building on the new aspects to integrate in the traffic laws: lights);
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The Little Data Book on Information and Communication Technology 2017 illustrates the progress of this revolution for 217 economies around the World.
... See More + It provides comparable statistics on the sector for 2005 and 2015 across a range of indicators, enabling readers to readily compare economies. This book includes indicators covering the economic and social context, the structure of the information and communication technology sector, sector efficiency and capacity, and sector performance related to access, usage, quality, affordability, trade, and applications. The glossarycontains definitions of the terms used in the tables.
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Development interventions like projects supported by the World Bank all intend to have impacts that outlast the life of the projects themselves.
... See More + Establishing a useful source of information that project participants and their neighbors can continue to use is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. This is not information about them that is collected and analyzed by outsiders; it is information that comes from them. They are the agents who actively collect and use it. One of the challenges that emerges right away however is how to present that information in a way that is readily accessible and straightforward, including to those who may lack literacy or numeracy, as is the case in so many rural settings. Information graphics is a means of making complex quantitative information readily understandable and relatable in a way that enables people to draw comparisons and to track changes over time. The Pudhu Vaazhvu Project (PVP) in Tamil Nadu is making purposeful use of information graphics through participatory data visualization and tracking, or “P-tracking” as it is more often abbreviated. The PVP is a community-driven development, poverty reduction operation being carried out by the state government through its Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj with technical and financial assistance by the World Bank. The P-tracking system developed in collaboration with project participants is used to periodically monitor a number of important indicators relating to livelihoods, health, nutrition, food security, and household well-being.
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The development objective of the Hajia Railway Project for China is to reduce the transport time for passenger services and provide additional capacity for passenger and freight services between Harbin and Jiamusi.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures are includes : (i) monetary compensation shall be determined by the appointed appraisal company in line with the housing acquisition appraisal measure based on the location, purpose, building area and depreciation of the acquired house; (ii) paying the housing demolition compensations to the affected persons; (iii) compensation for relocation of residential houses; (iv) compensation for temporary resettlement of requisitioned residential house; (v) subsidy for interior finishing and decoration of the original house; (vi) compensation standard for demolition of enterprises and public institutions; (vii)tenant terminates the lease agreement by way of consultation, and himself looks for the suitable shop front for resuming operation after receiving the certain monetary fund compensation; (viii) property right exchange, exchange of shop front to dwelling house.
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