Organizations and Knowledge Sources

While we hope you might find the links below of interest, please note the World Bank is not responsible for the content of the following websites.

General
Strategic Environmental Planning
    Institutional and Policy-Oriented Tools
    Technical and Operational Tools
    Technology-Oriented Tools
Wastewater Management and Sanitation
     Administration, Operations and Research
     Institutional and Policy Aspects
     Health Aspects
     Collection, Disposal and Treatment
     Environmental Technologies
Urban Environmental Indicators
     Conceptual and Methodoligical Frameworks, Monitoring and Evaluation
     Regionally:  Americas and Europe; Asia, Africa and Oceania

General

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) based on its framework of Inter-dimensional Analysis of Urban Development introduces four clusters of innovative policies and practices (Local Agenda 21, Environmental Planning, Health and Pollution, and Sustainability) that contribute to the 'environmental dimension' of the urban environment.   This Web Page provides access to a range of papers, cases, reports, manuals and best practices which can be explored in this link.  These documents cover principally geographical areas such as South and North Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Asia and Central Europe.  It also provides links to other organizations, key documents  in urban governance and others, through its collection of resources "Dynamics of Urban Change".

The International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC), a center conceived by the UNEP, promotes the application of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) to address urban environmental problems, such as sewage, air pollution, solid waste and noise, and the management of freshwater resources in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.  The IETC strategy is based primarily on Agenda 21 and serves as a proactive inter-mediator for cooperation between sources and users of Environmental Sound Technologies.  Access to relevant information can be found here.  In addition, a 'knowledge database' can be found here.

The International Institute for the Environment and Development (IIED) through its Human Settlements Programme works to reduce poverty and improve environment, health and housing conditions in the urban centres of Latin America, Asia and Africa.   Its work on the urban environment area provides links to ongoing projects and urban publications online (access to the Environment & Urbanization journal  and briefs, series of Local Agenda 21 working papers, Urban Environmental Improvement briefs, Water and Sanitation projects) (tip: look for the E&U link that will take you to available publications).

The Environment DG is one of 36 Directorates-General  and specialized services which make up the European Commission. Its main role is to initiate and define new environmental legislation and to ensure that measures, which have been agreed, are actually put into practice in the Member States through its thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment.  This Web Page gives information on the Environment DG's urban environment policy initiatives, urban environment pillars (documents, reports), environmental assessments, opportunities for funding for sustainable urban development and relevant work undertaken by other Directorate Generals of the Commission.  (tip: look under 'Policies', then 'Land use', 'Waste', 'Water').

The International Institute for the Urban Environment promotes sustainable development of towns and cities. The Institute's approach, combining public administration and policy development with science and technology, incorporates social dimensions, as well as economic aspects. The Institute carries out studies and research, organizes conferences and training programs and helps to realize demonstration projects.  Links to publications and projects can be found; the Forum Streams and Access projects are relevant examples of Environmental raising awareness programs.

The Urban Regeneration and the Environment (URGENT), is a Thematic Program of research funded by the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK.  URGENT aims to stimulate the regeneration of the urban environment through understanding and managing the interaction of natural and man-made processes.  This website provides access to information on urban systems such as water, soil, air, environmental information systems and ecosystems.  Under the Science Projects various relevant papers on these themes can be found.