Green Karachi through improved service delivery system

Project Summary:

This KGGTF program was a critical component of the World Bank Group’s commitment to Pakistan help transform Karachi into a livable, competitive, world-class city. Pakistan’s Karachi Transformation Strategy and WBG’s lending efforts were supported previously by KGGTF to set the policy foundation for transformation. Based on the policy foundation, this project focused on solid waste management studies, urban revitalization projects, and a framework for social inclusion. With the help of Korea Research Institute of Human Settlements, KGGTF funding also supported upgrading historic districts of Karachi and revised urban planning that includes traffic management and improved walkability. Renewed public spaces, better pedestrian connectivity, and urban revitalization all added up to a more inclusive, competitive economy that strengthens the social fabric and elevates the poor Karachi.

List of Activities:

• Preparatory studies and activities for Solid Waste Management (SWM) – design and preparation of green interventions
• Urban space revitalization and enhancement of city core – design and preparation of city development strategies and local designs for enhanced plans and coordination to implement urban upgrading interventions
• A social inclusion framework to target the most vulnerable and marginalized as a result of the city dynamics – for enhanced social inclusion framework.
• Capacity Building activities in city management / planning and other related areas

Outcomes:

Output 1:

• Design and preparation of green interventions (e.g. SWM) – SWM implementation plans and studies

Output 2:

• Design and preparation of city development strategies and local area designs (e.g. urban upgrading) – Preliminary city development strategy and local area designs 

Output 3:

• Design and preparation of social inclusion framework – Social inclusion framework document/report

Outcomes:

The Bank has developed a strong partnership with the Sindh Government on urban development under the Karachi Transformation Strategy (KTS) work. The proposed activity to support Lending project formed the next phase of government engagement. The project leveraged on the findings under the Karachi Transformation Strategy to develop a social inclusion framework to target the most vulnerable and marginalized as a result of the city dynamics. The project also led a clean and green city by focusing on green interventions in the city such as solid waste management with a potential lending project in this area. Further, the project envisaged to support Karachi’s vision of a world class city by leveraging on the findings of KTS and the infrastructure Gaps Assessment to unlock the key binding constraints to city growth. Moreover, the project strengthened the resilience against urban flood by improving drainage capacity.

Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:

• WBG internal partners: Social Urban Rural and Resilience Global Practice Urban, Social, Special Administrative Region DRM/ Climate Unit, and Pakistan Country Management Unit  
• Korea Research Institute of Human Settlements (KRIHS): collaboration on upgrading historic districts of Karachi and revised urban planning that includes traffic management and improved walkability
• Other external partners: Depending on project design, external partners such as Project for Public Space (PPS); Institute for Transport Development Policy (ITDP); and Gehl Studios could be engaged for the component on public spaces.