Infrastructure provision for the urban poor : assessing the needs and identifying the alternatives

During recent years, urban infrastructure investment programs supported by the Bank have generally focused on bulk infrastructure promoting overall city efficiency, coupled with the strengthening of local government (and utility agencies) to try to ensure sustainability of infrastructure and services. Whereas these are important objectives, they have been accompanied by a reduction of programs specifically aimed at the urban poor, who were the focus of Bank supported urban projects in the mid 70's to early 80's. Whilst accepting the need to strengthen local institutions, foster commercial practices in the provision of local services, and ensure adequate bulk infrastructure to support urban economic development, these objectives should not deter the Bank from preserving a focus on providing services to assist the alleviation of poverty. One strand of an urban poverty focus is the provision of a basic level of infrastructure and municipal service. This brief study is intended to further the debate within the Bank and donor community to assist in framing future donor support for the provision of urban infrastructure and services to the cities of the developing world with a predominance of urban poor.