Bangladesh: Dhaka Urban Regeneration Project

DESCRIPTION

Dhaka is one of the world’s most populous mega cities (with over 21 million people) and a major contributor to Bangladesh’s economic transformation (responsible for 36 percent of the national GDP and 32 percent of the total employment in the country). Despite its economic importance, Dhaka falls far behind its potential to become a competitive city. Its urban core, despite having rapid economic growth on its periphery, has stagnated due to increasing pressures on infrastructure, basic services, land and housing, and environment. The Proposed Dhaka Urban Regeneration Project (Project) aims to improve urban infrastructure and services in selected core areas of Dhaka. Specifically, the investment project will: (i) develop infrastructure in selected areas; (ii) clean-up and remediate contaminated plots in the Hazaribagh tannery site; and (iii) strengthen institutional and support policy development for the longer-term urban regeneration of Dhaka.

The purpose of this Project Preparation Special Fund (PPSF) grant is to conduct preparatory activities to help prioritize investments and finalize important design features as well as ensure readiness of the Project for implementation, in compliance with AIIB’s relevant policies and requirements. Preparatory activities supported by the PPSF grant include, but are not limited to, (i) feasibility studies; (ii) environment and social assessments and instruments; (iii) procurement advisory; (iv) detailed engineering designs including tender documents; and (v) assessment of institutional and financial management capacity of the executing agency and project implementation units. The grant will also provide support to the Dhaka Capital Development Authority (RAJUK), as the executing agency, in the preparation of all project reports and necessary preparatory works associated with the Project.

The activities financed under the PPSF will be implemented by RAJUK, in close coordination with the Dhaka South City Cooperation (DSCC).