DUSHANBE, April 14, 2010, Asia-Plus — To enhance the access to and quality of the public transportation in Dushanbe, and to reduce GHG emissions into the atmosphere, a medium-sized project, Support to Sustainable Transport Management in Dushanbe, was developed within the framework of cooperation between the United Nations Development Programme and Global Environment Facility, according to the UNDP CO in Tajikistan.
The project with total planned budget (in-cash and in-kind) of over 6 million U.S. dollars was signed by the UNDP Country Director, Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky, and the Deputy Dushanbe Mayor, Mr. Abdulhomid Sheraliyev, on April 13.
“The project aims at improving access and quality of public transport services for all residents, while reducing urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions” Mr. Vrbensky said.
Since early 2000, Tajikistan capital city, Dushanbe, has been experiencing rapid expansion in the use of private motor vehicles, alongside deterioration in public transport caused by rising personal incomes, growing migrant population, and a largely neglected public transport system. This has led to the significant increase in urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that 87 percent of the total air emissions in Dushanbe are associated with mobile sources.
The project will support development of and help Dushanbe City Government implement an integrated policy framework that includes: improving the service quality of public transport, in particular trolleybuses; developing integrated land-use/transport plans to reduce demand for travel ; enhancing municipal institutional transformation and governance structure to embrace sustainable transport; and increasing opportunities for non-motorized modes such as walking and biking.
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.
