ALM UNDP

Summary:

Project Description:

The TA will undertake a participatory process to address the current ad hoc approach to urban management by developing an urban planning and management strategy (UPMS) for Tonga. An investment project for integrated urban development in priority low-lying areas identified by the UPMS--which will improve living conditions in Nuku'alofa--will be prepared. The UPMS will cover all relevant aspects of urban planning and management, including but not limited to, physical planning, institutional arrangements, policy and legislation (e.g., for building and planning regulation, land and resource rights, institutional mandates, etc.), capacity-building needs, public participation, and community awareness. Priority low-lying areas for investment will be determined by poor or declining living conditions, potential to support job creation and economic growth, and other factors as may be agreed upon in the participatory approach to the UPMS. The main objective is sustained urban planning and management with improved provision of basic social services in low-lying areas of Nuku'alofa.

The overall impact of the Project is to improve environmental quality and public health in Nuku'alofa through improved urban infrastructure. The focus will be on improvement of delivery of urban services to the poor and vulnerable in urban and peri-urban areas. The outcome of the project will be the establishment or improvement of high-priority infrastructure projects, such as roads and drains. The project will include (i) verification of detailed locations for the proposed infrastructure subprojects, (ii) design and installation of the infrastructure, (iii) capacity building and monitoring, and (iv) training of operators. The key overall outcomes will be (i) improved living conditions in urban and peri-urban areas and (ii) improved and better-coordinated urban planning and management. 

Specific outputs include (i) improved roads and drains in the urban area; (ii) a major new drain to serve a low-lying inundated part of the urban area; (iii) capacity building in preventative maintenance. 

The project will include construction of key infrastructure subprojects, and will ensure that they are sustainable through the establishment of maintenance funds and cost-recovery mechanisms, as well as training of operators and maintenance personnel. The project is expected to result in the establishment of a new urban planning and management unit. 

With a focus on low-income areas, the proposed project will have substantial poverty reduction effects through improved living conditions, creation of bankable assets for the poor, and on-the-job training through employment opportunities related to project construction. 

Status of Implementation:

1. Roads 

• Rehabilitation/upgrading of 20km of primary roads -Bid documents approved by ADB and invitation to bid expected mid-December 2009. 
• Preventative maintenance program and management system for urban roads established and staff trained by mid-2009 - Program yet to be designed. 
• Construction of 4km of all-weather access roads in Popua and Sopu - Sopu subproject dropped by Project Steering Committee because of land acquisition issues. Designs of Popua have been revisited and revised bidding documents under finalization for tendering early 2010 

2. Drainage 

• Procurement of drain maintenance equipment _ Street cleaning and drainage maintenance equipment procured. Training of operators ongoing and cleaning works to start immediately after. 
• Cleaning of 6km of urban drains - Contract awarded in October 2009 and work ongoing 
• Establishment of preventive maintenance program for stormwater drainage - Program yet to be designed. 
• Construction of 2.1km of trunk drains in Popua and Sopu - Sopu subproject dropped by Project Steering Committee because of land acquisition issues. Designs of Popua have been revisited and revised bidding documents under finalization for tendering early 2010 
• 3. Sanitation 
• Construction of eight ground water quality monitoring wells - Contract awarded in October 2009 and work ongoing. 
• Ground water quality testing - To commence immediately after construction of monitoring wells Construction of 4km of all-weather access roads in Popua and Sopu - Sopu subproject dropped by Project Steering Committee because of land acquisition issues. Designs of Popua have been revisited and revised bidding documents under finalization for tendering early 2010 

4. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building 

• Promulgation and effectivity of urban planning legislation and regulations - Legislative drafting on-going. Final draft expected by April 2010. 
• Development of an Urban Sector Development Plan to be approved by Cabinet ¿ Drafting ongoing. Cabinet approval of the Urban Sector Development Plan now expected by mid-2010.