Development of IMT-GT Sustainable Urban Development Framework (SUDF)

The 9th IMT-GT Summit on 28 April 2015 in Langkawi Kedah have applauded the initiative on the Green Cities Action Plan (GCAP) currently being implemented in Melaka and Songkhla, and soon to be implemented in Medan and Batam. Leaders emphasized the need for continued individual and collective actions to mitigate environmental impacts, including the increasing risks posed by climate change. The Leaders have directed IMT-GT to scale up successful GCAP models, and work towards developing a Sustainable Urban Development Framework for IMT-GT cities. The implementation of action plans under this sub-regional framework could open new investment opportunities, with green, liveable IMT-GT cities providing strong sources of growth in the sub-region.

The framework is to be based on UNEP’s Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability framework, addressing the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals, through actions developed on the basis of the framework. The intent of the SUD framework is to aim for Transformative GrEEEn Growth in the region by: adopting an integrated approach where the principles of a socially inclusive, economically viable, resilience and environmentally sound growth, drive all decisions and actions (governance, policies, strategies, technologies, infrastructure, planning, community involvement etc.) resulting in sustained and resilient economic development in the region.

ICLEI South Asia intends to ascertain the baseline conditions in each of the three countries through requisitioning information from all the IMT-GT provinces, via a questionnaire. A face-to-face interactive workshop in each of the three priority countries with representatives of all constituent provinces of the IMT-GT regional network (32 provinces in total) is proposed to discuss the outcomes of the questionnaire and the prioritization of sectors. Based on feedback from members, the thematic areas, programmes, sectors and projects will be decided.

Objectives and Outputs

City and province questionnaire has been prepared and first workshop held in Songkhla, Thailand on 2nd December, 2016 with the regional members of the IMT-GT regional cooperation. The project included following deliverables;

• Inception Report: Consisting of the baseline assessment questionnaire; assessment to be conducted at both the provincial and city level.
• Interim Report: Including an analysis of responses to the questionnaire.
• Draft Final report: Draft SUD Framework including long term vision, until 2036, Draft.
• Immediate action plan (2017-2021).
• Final report: Final SUD Framework including long term vision, until 2036, Final Immediate action plan (2017-2021), Project Information Note with details of shortlisted projects (size, cost, potential modes of implementation).
• High level document with summary of projects for the Ministerial meeting.