Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project : Environmental Assessment
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SFG3024 V1 Public Disclosure Authorized Directorate of Urban Policy & Strategic Planning, Planning & Development Department, Government of Sindh Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized February 2017 Environmental and Social Management Framework Draft Report Executive Summary During the last few decades, Karachi has suffered infrastructure neglect and there has been a decline in access and quality of these services. Karachi’s urban planning, management and service delivery has been unable to keep pace with the needs of a rapidly growing population, quality of living and business environment. As a result Karachi ranks low on livability and the rapid growth of the city has led to a rapid deterioration in municipal service delivery in many sectors, including urban transport, water supply and sanitation, and solid waste management. Indicators and statistics in these sectors are poor. To respond to these challenges, the Government of Sindh (GoS) seeks the support of the World Bank in developing early harvest interventions in the city of Karachi that will act as a demonstration effect of the potential of economic and urban development interventions in Karachi. These interventions will be included in this proposed project to rapidly improve the lives of the citizens and increase their trust in the state. GoS and the Local Government are keen to start with easy to implement interventions that would have visible and high impact results to build confidence between government and citizens, while setting the stage and platform for a longer term and sustained action. Therefore, GoS and the Local Government with the support of World Bank are planning to undertake “Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project (KNIP)”. ESMF Consultant1 has been commissioned by Directorate of Urban Policy & Strategic Planning to prepare “Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for KNIP Project” at its inception stage via assessing the project’s environmental and social viability through various environmental components like air, water, noise, land, ecology, cultural sites along with the parameters of human interest and mitigating adverse impacts along with chalking out of guidelines, SOPs, procedure for detailed EA during project execution. The project has three components under Karachi Transformation Strategy: i) Public spaces and mobility improvements in selected neighborhoods of Karachi city, such as Saddar downtown area, Korangi area and Malir area; ii) Support to improved citizen services and city capacity development and iii) Support to implementation and technical assistance. Public Spaces and Mobility Improvements in Selected Neighborhoods The component will focus on three targeted neighborhoods: Saddar downtown area, Malir Neighborhood and Korangi Neighborhood. It will rehabilitate or enhance the usability and attractiveness of public spaces; improve mobility and pedestrian access2 to key destinations (including future BRTS stations); and improve traffic safety. These neighborhoods have been selected in consultation with the government and stakeholders based on the following considerations and criteria: areas with a high potential to demonstrate the project’s impact on livability; complementarity with ongoing or future public investment; low anticipated negative social and environmental impacts; ethnicity and political balance; and engagement with low-income and vulnerable groups (including women). Within each neighborhood (sub-component), specific interventions (sub-projects) will be selected and designed via a framework approach. The screening criteria for sub-projects include: fit with overall project development objectives; focus on enhancing public space assets for use by pedestrians, women, youths and 1 Mr. Syed Nadeem Arif 2 Improved mobility and pedestrian accessibility refers to the improved ease of getting from one place to another by motorists and non- motorists/pedestrians. For example, creating a good pedestrian network with paths and sidewalks to key destinations such as BRTS stations can reduce walking time and distances. Upgrading dirt paths or broken roads can allow better accessibility to areas that are difficult to walk or drive to. Pakistan - Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project Executive Summary Environmental and Social Management Framework Draft Report vulnerable groups; alignment with stated needs of citizens; readiness to be implemented within project time period, with visible positive impacts in the area; no major or irreversible environmental and social impacts; and economically viable. There are three sub-components under Component 1, associated with the three targeted neighborhoods. Sub-component 1.1: Saddar Downtown Area Revitalization - This sub-component aims to improve pedestrian accessibility, walkability, safety and livability of the public urban spaces within the Saddar Downtown area. Exact sub-projects will be determined based on local stakeholder consultations but may include, inter alia: upgrading roads and streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings within existing rights- of-way (ROW); upgrading existing open spaces, installing shade features, and removing barriers for visitors; reorganizing traffic patterns and closing certain street segments (temporarily or permanently); installing signs, street furniture, lighting, and bus stop shelters; organizing street parking and installing safety barriers to reduce vehicular encroachment on sidewalks; and rehabilitating underground infrastructure beneath upgraded roads, and storm water drainage where necessary. Sub-component 1.2: Malir Area Road and Public Spaces Enhancement - The objective of this sub-component is to improve mobility and quality of life for local residents and provide quality public spaces to meet citizen’s needs in the underserved Malir area. Sub-projects may include, inter alia: upgrading the main road, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings within existing ROW; reorganizing vehicular travel lanes to provide adequate space to pedestrians; rehabilitating/enhancing existing open spaces with shade, adequate drainage and trash collection facilities; installing street furniture, bus shelters, safety barriers, shade features and lighting; and rehabilitating underground infrastructure beneath upgraded roads, and storm water drainage where necessary. Sub-component 1.3: Korangi Neighborhood Mobility Improvements - The objective of this sub-component is to improve mobility, accessibility to neighborhoods, safety and livability of roads and public urban spaces within the Korangi area. Sub-projects may include, inter alia: upgrading main roads, streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian crossings within existing ROW; improving existing open spaces such as markets, playground and road medians; installing street furniture, lighting, bus shelters; and safety barriers for pedestrians; and rehabilitating underground infrastructure beneath upgraded roads, and storm water drainage where necessary. Component 2: Support to Improved Citizen Services and City Capacity Development (US$ 7.5 million) The objectives of this component are to: improve selected citizen services in Karachi; and lay the foundations for better city management and support the sustainability of Component 1 investments. This component will finance consultancy services and goods to relevant institutions and agencies at the provincial and local level, for the following activities: automation of construction permits and business registration in Karachi; Laying the foundation for better city management, by modernizing KMC financial management information system and public asset management; improving own-source revenue (OSR) collection; and enhancing citizen participation, feedback and communications. Support to Implementation and Technical Assistance This component will finance technical assistance and advisory services, including: project management and coordination costs associated with project implementation ; consultancy services for feasibility, conceptual and detailed designs, environmental and social assessments for sub-projects and to prepare follow-on Pakistan - Karachi Neighborhood Improvement Project Executive Summary Environmental and Social Management Framework Draft Report operations; and consultancy services for the preparation of a study on parking management in Saddar Downtown, Malir and Korangi areas. It will also support the Karachi Transformation Steering Committee through mobilization of expertise, exchange of international experience, and advisory services to: prepare and adopt a shared vision focused on improving city prosperity, livability and inclusiveness; and develop a coordinated roadmap of future investments and key policy reforms needed to realize that vision. Project Implementation A specific Project Implementation Unit (PIU) consisting of appropriate experts headed by a Project Director within the Directorate General of Urban Policy and Strategic Planning (DGUPSP) will have the overall responsibility for implementing the project. The PIU will be responsible for all aspects of project implementation, including technical, operational, environment and social safeguards, procurement, financial management, disbursement, and overseeing the technical assistance, training, public awareness and communication activities. A project coordination committee will be established to ensure inter-agency coordination and resolve any implementation