In this report, ESCAP explores the future of urbanization in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on the dynamic shifts in the region’s urban landscape. It highlights the region’s demographic transformations, including population ageing, and the persistent challenges of urban poverty and inequality. The analysis covers urban areas of all sizes, …
This report is the first in a series establishing the link between issues like climate change, air pollution, water supply, and natural resource depletion and traditional financial analysis on corporate value and financial strength for companies in six key Asian economies
Woefully, according to a newspaper report from Islamabad, this years World Water Day, on March 22, with its theme "Shared Water - Shared Opportunities" signifying the importance of trans-boundary rivers, lakes and waters to link population of different countries went ignored by ministries or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). However, a redeeming …
The traditional non-politics of Indian cities is confronted by rapid urbanization THERE are signs that urban India is discovering politics after a long interval. City after congested city is demanding funds for new, comfortable buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Municipal managers see a clear political advantage …
Of the two zones which constitute Earth, land is extremely vulnerable to misuse, distortion, and depredations. Although seas/oceans the other constituent is not free from encroachment and defilement, it is comparatively in much better health. Hence green infrastructure has land-use at the core of discussion. It is presumed that there …
Implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at the river basin level is an essential element to managing water resources more sustainably, leading to long-term social, economic and environmental benefits. Because water is managed locally, a river basin approach provides a practical framework, defined by geographical and hydrological characteristics, which facilitates …
Maharashtra has proved to be the slow but steady winner. On the surface a proverbial tortoise without any flashy attributes, the state has performed as well as a long-haul horse in a gruelling race. The study of the Institute for Competitiveness has adjudged Maharashtra to be the No. 1 state …
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were widely acclaimed as one of the most spectacular sporting events ever held, not least as a result of the sumptuous and dazzling opening ceremony and the high standards of competition from athletics and swimming to horse-jumping and yachting. But what of the environment which …
This paper describes the development of poverty lines in India, from the 19th century to the present, and assesses their limitations as an indication of poverty. It demonstrates that use of the official poverty line results in considerable underestimation of the extent of urban poverty, and oversimplifies the nature of …
Chandigarh: 1990:The Chandigarh Administration acquires 22-acre land in Burail village by paying paltry Rs 3 lakh per acre compensation to develop housing societies. The land has not been used and stands encroached at present by people living here for nearly two decades. 1991: Around 8 acres of land acquired in …
Rapidly expanding urban settlements in the developing world face severe climatic risks in light of climate change. Urban populations will increasingly be forced to cope with increased incidents of flooding, air and water pollution, heat stress and vector-borne diseases. This research, undertaken with a set of partner research institutes, examines …
A draft of the South Asia Region Climate Change Strategy. Aimed at supporting the development priorities of south asian nations by addressing climate-change related risks and opportunities, focuses on adaptation and climate impacts on economic growth and poverty reduction. The South Asia Region Climate Change Strategy (SARCCS) builds upon the …
This study makes a comparative analysis of 15 cities in the Asian region, including some megacities, medium sized cities, and smaller cities, in their capacity to absorb stress, to manage it and recover from it. The scope of this study is limited to climate-induced disasters (hydro-meteorological disasters) such as cyclone, …
Land-based financing of urban infrastructure is growing in importance in the developing world. Why is it so difficult to finance urban infrastructure investment, when land values typically increase by more than the cost of investment? Unlocking Land Values to Finance Urban Infrastructure examines the theory underlying different instruments of land-based …
While cities in Asia and the Pacific have been concentrating on their conventional infrastructure requirements, many cities are still discovering how to deal with the challenge of urban renewal in a broader sense. Many cities in the region do own old or historic inner-city areas of considerable historic and cultural …
Emphasis has been laid since long on the need for integrated catchment management and impactof landuse on catchment hydrology; but the two disciplines have not been amalgmated for creating catchment sensitive 'City Landuse plans'. This study aims at (a) utilizing hydrological modeling to understand the dynamics of an urban Himalayan …
Last month the Better Air Quality in Asia (BAQ) biennial conference was held in Bangkok. It highlighted one of the most pressing issues for the mega cities of Asia
This paper provides a conceptual backdrop for urban economic impact assessment of climate change and its specific aim is to provide both a conceptual and a methodological framework for OECD work in this area. The scope includes the assessment of the potential incidence and economic cost associated with changes in …
The Asian region has experienced substantial growth over the past several decades. Indeed, a quarter of all world exports now come from East Asia. Strong infrastructure underpinnings have often been cited as a major factor contributing to this success, and an important competitive advantage over other developing regions. However, a …
