Study on Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient, and Inclusive Urban Rehabilitation and Retrofitting

Proposed

The technical assistance (TA) will support a study and capacity building on planning and design of comprehensive urban rehabilitation and retrofitting, as a new primary mode for urbanization in the People's Republic of China (PRC), as opposed to previous urbanization through greenfield expansion. To overcome the challenges of carbon-intensive urban patterns developed since the 1980s, which constitute most urban areas in the PRC, retrofitting is critical for successful climate action. The TA will develop technical and process guidelines for the country, support pilot cities with specific framework for urban area planning and design proposals. The objective is to make cities low-carbon, climate-resilient, compact and walkable, and follow transit-oriented development and 15-minute city principles where one can walk, cycle or use public transportation from home to work, to shops, services and open spaces. Such transformed cities will also be designed to be more inclusive, healthy and age-friendly, accessible, and safe for older people, women, girls, and children. It will consider international best practice and advanced technologies that can improve urban livability and management. This includes smart city urban brain ICT systems, shared 2, 3 and 4-wheel vehicles, smart and self-driving vehicles, and smart parking, among others. This includes establishing policy, institutional, planning, and design interventions; ensuring community and stakeholder engagements; and proposing sustainable finance mechanism options. The TA aims to serve as upstream support for potential future lending.