BAQ - Better Air Quality 2018
14-16 November 2018, Malaysia
"Urban Pathways at the 2018 Better Air Quality Conference”
Session Recording: https://www.facebook.com/CleanAirAsia/videos/742456616104469/
Lessons in mainstreaming low carbon development based on the policy papers developed by the Urban Pathways Project were presented at the 2018 Better Air Quality Conferenceheld last November 14-16, 2018 in Kuching, Malaysia. Urban Pathways took part in the session entitled “Future Cities: Developing Sustainable Urban Areas in Asia” which aimed at sharing approaches towards integrating different policy objectives relating to air quality management, as well as low carbon development.
The Wuppertal Institute, represented by Alvin Mejia, shared the insights that were garnered in the process of developing the policy papers, fact sheets, and environment studies for the Urban Pathways Project in terms of mainstreaming low carbon development. Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for example, ensures that the city’s GHG reduction plan is consistent with the development goals of the city. Complementary between GHG reduction plans with other sectoral plans must be sought to maximize synergistic benefits. Melaka, Malaysia, for example, has prepared complementary sectoral plans(i.e. transportation, energy, waste) that supports the GHG reduction plan. Stakeholder awareness-raising and involvementare essential in the fruition of such low carbon development plans. Examples from Suva, Fiji, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlights the benefits of engaging residents, as well as the international community in realizing carbon reduction projects.
Ms. Shanshan Li of the Institute for Transport Development Policy (ITDP) shared the eight principles of integrated land use and transport planning: walk, cycle, connect (dense networks of streets), transit, mix (mixed use development), densify, compact, shift (towards more sustainable modes).
Mr. Roland Haas of GIZ focused on the importance of metropolitan regions, and the need to create enabling governance structures that can help such regions deal with sustainability issues that transcend typical political boundaries. Urbanization-related issues such as air pollution, congestion, among others, are not bounded by city boundaries. Managing such issues are also made more difficult due to unclear jurisdictions, lack of capacities, and low levels of stakeholder engagement. A new project called “Sustainable Mobility for Metropolitan Regions in ASEAN” aims to cooperate with three metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia in mapping a process for formalizing regional cooperation, analyzing policy environments and creating governance structures that can effectively address issues with such a regional nature.
Mr. Shakil Fedausi of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) shared a new project called the “Strengthening Knowledge and Actions for Air Quality Improvement” which aims to enhance knowledge towards implementing policy actions and technology solutions, assess the current state of air quality and air quality management in the partner cities, and introduce innovative cost-effective technology and policy options for addressing air pollution sources. The project will be cooperating with three primary cities, and four secondary cities in Asia.
Dr. Eric Zusman of the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) shared how “co-benefits” can be used as a tool for improving decision making and selecting win-win options. For example, their work in Indonesia (Jembrana Regency) relating to waste water highlights that there are solutions maximizes benefits in terms of different parameters (i.e. the use of up flow anaerobic sludge blanket can reduce methane, and BOD and COD). The importance of supporting programs towards ensuring sustainability and scalability of impacts was also highlighted. In Semarang, an awareness raising program targeting junior high school students is being implemented to support the maintenance of the BRT ridership.
City representatives from Can Tho, Vietnam, and Santa Rosa, Philippines also provided updates on relevant sustainability initiatives that are being implemented in their cities. Ms. Thoa Chau of the Can Tho City Department of Natural Resources and Environment shared how the City is currently working on improving its urban transportation system by: reviewing their urban transport masterplan, using biodiesel, improving in-use vehicle inspection, and removing 25-year-old trucks, and 20-year-old buses. Ms. Amor Salandanan of Santa Rosa City Environment and Natural Resources Office shared that the City is implementing a Clean Always (air, land, waterways) program, as well as initiatives towards promoting urban agriculture, and electric vehicles.
The discussions between the panelists, and the city representatives brought insights regarding the potential for seeking strategic partnerships with the private sector, the need to better engage regional bodies (when appropriate), as well as the importance of the initiatives of local governments towards making their cities more livable, which is at the core of transformation towards sustainability.
14-16 November 2018, Malaysia
"Urban Pathways at the 2018 Better Air Quality Conference”
Session Recording: https://www.facebook.com/CleanAirAsia/videos/742456616104469/
Lessons in mainstreaming low carbon development based on the policy papers developed by the Urban Pathways Project were presented at the 2018 Better Air Quality Conferenceheld last November 14-16, 2018 in Kuching, Malaysia. Urban Pathways took part in the session entitled “Future Cities: Developing Sustainable Urban Areas in Asia” which aimed at sharing approaches towards integrating different policy objectives relating to air quality management, as well as low carbon development.
The Wuppertal Institute, represented by Alvin Mejia, shared the insights that were garnered in the process of developing the policy papers, fact sheets, and environment studies for the Urban Pathways Project in terms of mainstreaming low carbon development. Belo Horizonte, Brazil, for example, ensures that the city’s GHG reduction plan is consistent with the development goals of the city. Complementary between GHG reduction plans with other sectoral plans must be sought to maximize synergistic benefits. Melaka, Malaysia, for example, has prepared complementary sectoral plans(i.e. transportation, energy, waste) that supports the GHG reduction plan. Stakeholder awareness-raising and involvementare essential in the fruition of such low carbon development plans. Examples from Suva, Fiji, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlights the benefits of engaging residents, as well as the international community in realizing carbon reduction projects.
Ms. Shanshan Li of the Institute for Transport Development Policy (ITDP) shared the eight principles of integrated land use and transport planning: walk, cycle, connect (dense networks of streets), transit, mix (mixed use development), densify, compact, shift (towards more sustainable modes).
Mr. Roland Haas of GIZ focused on the importance of metropolitan regions, and the need to create enabling governance structures that can help such regions deal with sustainability issues that transcend typical political boundaries. Urbanization-related issues such as air pollution, congestion, among others, are not bounded by city boundaries. Managing such issues are also made more difficult due to unclear jurisdictions, lack of capacities, and low levels of stakeholder engagement. A new project called “Sustainable Mobility for Metropolitan Regions in ASEAN” aims to cooperate with three metropolitan regions in Southeast Asia in mapping a process for formalizing regional cooperation, analyzing policy environments and creating governance structures that can effectively address issues with such a regional nature.
Mr. Shakil Fedausi of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) shared a new project called the “Strengthening Knowledge and Actions for Air Quality Improvement” which aims to enhance knowledge towards implementing policy actions and technology solutions, assess the current state of air quality and air quality management in the partner cities, and introduce innovative cost-effective technology and policy options for addressing air pollution sources. The project will be cooperating with three primary cities, and four secondary cities in Asia.
Dr. Eric Zusman of the Institute for Global Environment Strategies (IGES) shared how “co-benefits” can be used as a tool for improving decision making and selecting win-win options. For example, their work in Indonesia (Jembrana Regency) relating to waste water highlights that there are solutions maximizes benefits in terms of different parameters (i.e. the use of up flow anaerobic sludge blanket can reduce methane, and BOD and COD). The importance of supporting programs towards ensuring sustainability and scalability of impacts was also highlighted. In Semarang, an awareness raising program targeting junior high school students is being implemented to support the maintenance of the BRT ridership.
City representatives from Can Tho, Vietnam, and Santa Rosa, Philippines also provided updates on relevant sustainability initiatives that are being implemented in their cities. Ms. Thoa Chau of the Can Tho City Department of Natural Resources and Environment shared how the City is currently working on improving its urban transportation system by: reviewing their urban transport masterplan, using biodiesel, improving in-use vehicle inspection, and removing 25-year-old trucks, and 20-year-old buses. Ms. Amor Salandanan of Santa Rosa City Environment and Natural Resources Office shared that the City is implementing a Clean Always (air, land, waterways) program, as well as initiatives towards promoting urban agriculture, and electric vehicles.
The discussions between the panelists, and the city representatives brought insights regarding the potential for seeking strategic partnerships with the private sector, the need to better engage regional bodies (when appropriate), as well as the importance of the initiatives of local governments towards making their cities more livable, which is at the core of transformation towards sustainability.