World Cities Summit Issue, Jun 2008

The Growth of Asian Cities
Bindu N. Lohani

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The future growth of Asian cities is largely dependent on the actions of policymakers and planners of these cities. The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) approach to urban development focuses on improving quality of life, reducing urban poverty, maximising economic efficiency of urban areas, and achieving more sustainable forms of urban development.9 ADB’s 2006 report on Urbanisation and Sustainability in Asia highlighted some of the good practice approaches in urban region development. Research found that there were seven criteria for sustainability. These are good governance, improved urban management, effective and efficient infrastructure and service provision, financing and cost recovery, social and environmental sustainability, innovation and change, and leveraging international development assistance.

Here are some thoughts which the policymakers and planners may need to consider. First, the vision of the city government should be to promote safe, liveable, well-managed and environmentally friendly cities that are free of poverty. Solutions must be designed for sustainability and with the highest level of urban governance.

Second, funding needs of the cities for infrastructure should be adequately provided for. However, such development should consider an integrated approach combining energy, water and wastewater into a “neighbourhood” system with every possibility for reuse and recycling, and sustainability should be the overall goal.

Third, a societal commitment for a low-carbon lifestyle and low-carbon city that uses fewer inputs (water, energy and food) and produces fewer outputs (waste, heat, air and water pollution) needs to be made. Cities need to minimise the ecological impacts created by its inhabitants, while providing them with a healthy and comfortable environment, attending to their health, comfort, safety and life quality needs. Energy conservation measures, the substitution of renewable energy sources for fossil fuels, and new technologies such as hydrogen power, fuel cells and biofuels could also be considered.

Fourth, special attention should be given to the development and servicing of semi-urban areas and more attention needs to be given to rural/urban linkages, land management and resources allocation.

Fifth, efforts should be made to develop cities beyond work or commercial living and enjoyment, but to make them complete in all means so that those who live in cities feel that they are self-sufficient, empowered and safe and enjoy a clean environment.

The above actions are “doable”, if there is a will. 

Bindu N. Lohani is Vice President (Finance and Administration) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Prior to this, Dr Lohani was Director General of the Regional and Sustainable Development Department; concurrently, he was ADB's Chief Compliance Officer and Special Advisor to the President on Clean Energy and Environment. Dr Lohani is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) of the United States-the highest professional distinction accorded to an engineer-for his work on an economic-cum-environmental approach to sustainable development. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the ADB, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent.  

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