World Bank supports urban services improvement
The World Bank approved a credit line of $147 million to help
rehabilitate basic urban services and improve liveability in two major
cities Kandy and Galle.
The project seeks to produce a more spatially balanced distribution
of economic opportunities, while reducing congestion in the capital and
improving overall liveability. The bank's urban vision is to develop
more and better competitive, environmentally sustainable and well-linked
cities, said Country Director Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Françoise
Clottes.
Well-functioning and productive urban centres are essential to put
into motion and support the transformation of the Sri Lankan economy and
efforts to translate economic growth into rapid poverty reduction.
Known as Strategic Cities Development Project, it will improve
selected urban services and public spaces in Kandy and Galle. The
project will focus on improving deteriorated municipal infrastructure
and services such as traffic management and public transport, water
supply system, and major public spaces in Kandy.
These improvements will enhance liveability for local residents and
reduce congestion for commuters employed in the city. The project will
also reduce flooding in Galle and create more public spaces to improve
the quality of life for residents.
The most important consideration in the preparation of this project
has been the sensitivity to the rich history and culture of both cities
and fully understand the way their residents use urban services and
spaces when enhancing them, said project leader of the World Bank, Zhiyu
Jerry Chen.
This development work will further enhance the attractiveness and
liveability of these two cities. Kandy and Galle not only have
historical significance but also rich cultural and heritage value that
needs to be protected and restored. While improving urban services and
public spaces, the project will also focus on strengthening
institutional capacities and work closely with partners to ensure a
sustainable urban development process.
The project will be managed by a Project Management Unit (PMU) under
the purview of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (MoDUD).
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