ADB to Support Urban Environmental Improvements in Luang Prabang

08/12/2023 20:01
Email Print 1684
KPL (KPL)The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today has approved a USD 35 million concessional loan and a USD 10 million grant for the Urban Environment Improvement Investment Project to help support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development in Luang Prabang City, Laos.

Luang Prabang City is northern the Lao PDR’s major transport and tourism hub with a fast-growing urban core, situated at the junction of the Mekong and Khan Rivers. Photo by ADB

(KPL)The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today has approved a USD 35 million concessional loan and a USD 10 million grant for the Urban Environment Improvement Investment Project to help support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development in Luang Prabang City, Laos.

Luang Prabang City is northern the Lao PDR’s major transport and tourism hub with a fast-growing urban core, situated at the junction of the Mekong and Khan Rivers. Its compact historic precinct and surrounding landscape were included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List in 1995. Since then, the development of much-needed solid waste management and wastewater treatment facilities, urban roads and footpaths, and public greenspace has not kept pace with skyrocketing demand—causing environmental degradation and diminishing livability.

“Luang Prabang’s precious heritage and the livelihoods it supports are increasingly threatened by unplanned urban development, climate change, and disasters that disproportionately affect women and vulnerable groups,” said ADB Country Director for the Lao PDR Sonomi Tanaka. “Better urban infrastructure, environmental management, and tourism services together with gender-responsive integrated urban planning and management are needed to help raise the quality of life in Luang Prabang and make it more resilient to shocks.”   

Innovative project components include home-, community-, and training facility-based childcare pilots for recipients of higher education and vocational training scholarships that will be offered to female officials employed in the water supply, sanitation, public works, and tourism sectors. The project will establish a women-led creative industries business development network and prepare the Lao PDR’s first creative city strategy and action plan. Women will also be trained to manage smart infrastructure solutions following the Luang Prabang Integrated and Smart Urban Strategy, prepared under the ADB-administered ASEAN–Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund. 

Capacity development to support tariff reforms, strengthen financial management, facilitate private sector investment, and improve disaster preparedness and response will complement the project’s infrastructure investments.

The project is expected to benefit 104,500 residents and 1.3 million annual visitors by 2031.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

KPL

ຂ່າວອື່ນໆ

    • PM Monitors Flood Mitigation Efforts in VientianeGeneral

      PM Monitors Flood Mitigation Efforts in Vientiane

      9/16/2024 4:56:54 PM

      On Sep 15, 2024, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone led a team of government officials and relevant authorities to assess the ongoing flood prevention and mitigation efforts along the Mekong River in Pak Ngum, Hadxayfong, and Sikhottabong districts of Vientiane.

    •  Typhoon Yagi claims 74 lives in Myanmar, causes flooding in Thailand, LaosGeneral

      Typhoon Yagi claims 74 lives in Myanmar, causes flooding in Thailand, Laos

      9/16/2024 10:47:11 AM

      (KPL/VNA) The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on September 15 that as of September 13 evening, flooding and landslides triggered Typhoon Yagi in the country had left 74 and 89 others missing.

    • India sends emergency flood relief assistance to Lao PDRGeneral

      India sends emergency flood relief assistance to Lao PDR

      9/16/2024 9:30:06 AM

      India has sent emergency flood relief assistance to help the Lao PDR in dealing with the floods after typhoon Yagi that have caused widespread damage and affected a large number of people in several provinces of the Lao PDR.

    • Weather Alert: Flood Warning Issued for Northern and Central LaosGeneral

      Weather Alert: Flood Warning Issued for Northern and Central Laos

      9/15/2024 9:54:28 AM

      The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a flood warning for September 15, 2024, as a low-pressure system moves through northern Laos, particularly in the western regions, and continues toward central parts of the country. Combined with strong southwestern monsoon winds, this system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall across the country, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in some areas.

    • BCEL OneHeart Donation Platform Launched to Aid Flood VictimsGeneral

      BCEL OneHeart Donation Platform Launched to Aid Flood Victims

      9/14/2024 7:47:41 PM

      The National Disaster Management Committee, in collaboration with Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao Public (BCEL), has launched the BCEL OneHeart platform to collect donations for disaster relief in 14 provinces, including Luang Namtha, which has been severely impacted by recent flooding.


Top