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The World Bank strategy is aimed at four core areas of the urban development: livability, competitiveness, governance and management, and financial sustainability.
The agenda for improving livability includes reducing urban poverty and inequality, creating a healthful urban environment, enhancing personal security, establishing an inclusive system for legal protection and political representation, and making cultural and recreational amenities available to all. These necessarily include a wide variety of urban services (water supply and sanitation, drainage, water resources protection, waste management, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions control, land management, accident risk, disaster management, etc.)
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Cities in Transition
World Bank Urban and Local Development Strategy
Cities Alliance
Cities without Slums Program
Community Driven Development Approaches in Housing Sector Projects in Transition Economies
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Efficient urban development requires a competitive environment that enables all development process participants, be they individuals or companies, to become more productive and efficient. In many ECA countries the World Bank supports policy reforms in housing, land and real estate markets, and formation of an overall business-friendly environment (developed labor markets that are capable of matching skills and jobs, better investment climate, etc.).
Good urban governance means inclusion and representation of all groups in the urban society, as well as accountability, integrity, and transparency of government actions. Capable urban management means the capacity to fulfill public responsibilities with knowledge, skills, resources, and transparent procedures. There isn't a single model that could fit the complex process of local capacity building in all countries across the region; the ultimate success is determined by national policies and local leaders' willingness and ability to carry out their mandates. The World Bank provides technical assistance and advisory services to assist in public administration reforms and capacity building at local governments level.
In most ECA countries reliance on market financing for cities is not yet a realistic prospect. With few exceptions, local authorities lack the creditworthiness to take advantage of financial products offered by domestic financial markets. Municipal development funds may represent a suitable alternative, particularly in those countries that are emerging from severe transition recession, although they should be considered an interim measure until both municipalities and financial markets are strengthened.
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