DHAKA CITY NEIGHBORHOOD UPGRADING PROJECT A MORE LIVEABLE DHAKA CITY APPROVAL DATE: END DATE: TOTAL COMMITMENT: IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES: BASIC INFORMATION March 29 June 30 $100.5 million Dhaka South City Corporation 2019 2024 under Local Government Division OVERVIEW With 36 percent of the country’s urban population living in Greater Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh has become one of the world’s most densely populated cities. The Dhaka Metropolitan has been the country’s engine of economic growth and job creation. To achieve its vision of becoming an upper- middle income country by 2031, Bangladesh must manage Dhaka’s urban growth. Dhaka’s urban development has not kept up with the city’s population growth, resulting in a messy and uneven urbanization process. 94 CHALLENGE TOWARDS THE FUTURE Dhaka is one of the least liveable cities in the world. According to EIU Global Livability Index 2018, it ranked 139 out of 140 The project will contribute to learnings cities. Many residents, including the 3.5 million people living in informal settlements, often lack access to basic services, for rapid results for future expansion infrastructure, and amenities. Livings standards in many slums are worse than in rural areas, despite proximity to jobs. of sustainable urban public space Only two-thirds of the city is covered with piped water, less than 1 percent of domestic sewage generated is treated, improvement in other major cities in and 60 percent of municipal solid waste is collected. Severe traffic congestion is endemic, a consequence of inadequate Bangladesh with increased capacity infrastructure and public transport relative to the high population and economic density. Dhaka is the world’s fourth of the City Corporations as lead most polluted city; with pollution levels 8 times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Public and implementing agencies in sustainable open spaces are declining as a share of land use. The low liveability index disproportionately affects vulnerable and urban development. The project will excluded groups such as the poor, women and elderly. also contribute to the broader scheme of development for metro Dhaka as a whole, with expansion happening in the north, east and southern APPROACH fringes. The Dhaka City Neighborhood Upgrading Project (DCNUP) will help Dhaka transform into a more liveable and competitive city. The project aims to improve public spaces and urban services in four large neighborhoods—Kamrangir Char, Lalbagh, Sutrapur-Nayabazar-Gulistan, Khilgaon-Mughda-Bashabo—under the Dhaka South City Corporation. It will undertake interventions that are designed through a collaborative process with beneficiaries and that can be implemented quickly. The project will help improve the livability, vibrancy and regeneration of neighborhoods and thus enhance civic lives. The project will finance improvements in public spaces such as streets, sidewalks, parks, open spaces and community centres. It has identified priority areas for “rapid results” through consultations with civil society, think tanks and urban professionals. These include: improving pedestrian safety and mobility, enhancing open and green spaces to rejuvenate surroundings, transforming existing community centres into multi-use facilities to serve neighborhoods, and revitalization of waterfront areas. The project will enhance accessibility, usability, and safety, disaster and climate resiliency of the public spaces. It will also pilot interventions for safe mobility and traffic management. It will cater to the needs of women, youths, elderly and disabled, who often refrain from using public spaces. EXPECTED RESULTS 20% increase in 1 million people Improvement of Engagement with 60% 30 km 100% outreach to community of number of people enjoy improved 30 hectares of of citizens of the selected of roads selected neighborhoods regarding accessing enhanced urban living public spaces neighborhoods for design rehabilitated improvement in public space public spaces conditions of sub-projects THE WORLD BANK IN BANGLADESH | 95