APPLICATIO has been contracted by Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to develop a capacity development concept and strategy for the programme "City Development Initiative Asia". In the frame of the "Centers of Learning" initiative cities are supported to learn from each other (peer-learning) based on best-practices to develop and implement infrastructure investment programme.
The aim of the GIZ programme is defined as: "Urban development takes place sustainably and equitably in the cities of Asia, leading to improved environmental and living conditions for all."
The Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) is an international partnership initiative, established in 2007 by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Germany. It receives additional funding from the governments of Austria, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as the Shanghai Municipal Government. It provides support and technical advice to cities in the region to assist them in a number of areas:
- Structuring of priority infrastructure projects in readiness for financing
- Devising projects that will attract market-based international private investment
- Improving local institutional conditions for the development of capital investment infrastructure projects and urban services
- Promoting regional dialogue and cooperation on urban management in Asia, in order to share good practices from the local level
The Initiative promotes investments in urban infrastructure and services. These range from city-level urban strategies to specific infrastructure projects, and draw on public or private financing from both domestic and international sources. In a demand-driven approach, it works directly with cities. According to each city’s needs, it provides expertise for capacity development and for carrying out technical studies. This assistance includes the prioritisation of investments, pre-feasibility studies and the linking of projects to potential financiers. Priority is given to improving environmental conditions in the cities, reducing poverty and developing aspects of good governance, which the Initiative achieves in collaboration with its municipal partner organisations.
CDIA supports the cities’ own efforts to prepare investment projects, and develops their capacities for submitting those projects to appropriate financing institutions. While working closely with regional and national partner organisations, it assigns national and international consultants to conduct pre-feasibility studies.
APPLICATIOs is contracted to:
- Analyse the existing "Centers of Learning" approach
- Develop a new strategic approach on peer-learning amongst cities
- Consult with the programme and partners (stakeholder management)
