healthbridge final report promoting environment friendly ... · healthbridge final report promoting...

HealthBridge Final Report Promoting Environment Friendly Livable Cities in

Bangladesh

Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust April 2014-March 2015

Background WBB Trust has been working on issues of urban transport planning since 2004, and since 2006 directly on Livable Cities, with the technical and financial support of HealthBridge. The health of the Bangladeshi population is greatly affected by the state of its cities. The government is very focused on ensuring the city to be supportive of cars rather than Pedestrians. Evidence of this can be found, looking at the state of the non-motorized transportation (NMT) environment and at the budgets allocated to NMT. Public transportation, including national Rail is poorly coordinated and there is a serious lack of rail routes in Dhaka and in the country. Parks and public spaces are poorly managed and under constant threat of encroachment and privatization. Water bodies are being polluted by industry and by human negligence. Hearing impairment is the second commonest form of disability in Bangladesh and is causing economic, social, educational, and vocational problems. Children are the worst affected section of the community in this regard and high volume horns, uncontrolled honking in the city are adding woes to the situation. !Low-income countries, like Bangladesh, are facing important challenges as a result of increasing urbanization and has been passing through a transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases.. The way our communities are built impacts cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injury, air pollution, climate change, our ability to be gainfully employed, and our ability to interact and build relationships with our neighbours. As Bangladesh tries to tackle these major problems, ensuring cities are livable, which creates supportive environments for healthy behaviors, is critically important. !Vision: In all cities of Bangladesh

! Children can play in the street and walk to school safely ! Everyone can walk to a local park to visit with the neighbors and enjoy

nature ! Everyone can walk to stores and services ! Everyone can cross the street easily and safely ! Cycling is common for recreation and for transportation ! When people need to leave their neighborhood, they can take public

transit ! Everyone has access to clean drinking water ! Water is treated as a precious resource ! Lakes, rivers, parks and streets are free of pollution ! People hear children laughing not cars honking ! People breathe clean air ! People have access to healthy foods

Ultimate Outcomes:

! Decreased morbidity and mortality due to injury, chronic diseases and communicable diseases.

! Decreased emissions of air pollutants leading to poor air quality and climate change.

Executive Summary

WBB has successfully achieved some of its key objectives during the April 2014-March 2015 reporting year. Key priority areas were:

• Walkability (general and active and safe routes to school), • Public Space • Integrated Transportation System, and • Network Development.

Key outcomes achieved were:

1. Walkability (general and active and safe routes to school), • Created strong community support to make Safe Routes for walking in 34 No,

Ward, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) • Created strong community engagement for keeping the 34 No Ward clean • Increased capacity of architects to work on vendor management issue. • Increased capacity of the organizations working to ensure pedestrian rights for the

people with disabilities. • After view exchange meeting jointly organized by WBB Trust and Dhaka South

City Corporation (DSCC) on walking environment in Dhaka they declared they would provide licenses for vendors.

• Roads and Highways Department organized a National Capacity Building Workshop on Sustainable and Inclusive Transport Development and brought 5 Mayors from different divisional cities. The mayors committed to improving environment for walking and cycling. WBB Trust and others stakeholders were present there and we gave our opinion at the workshop and presentations to the organizer.

• DNCC has agreed to put waste bins from Sankar to Rayerbazar (low income community).

• DSCC has declared to make Satmasjid Road pedestrian-friendly through quality footpath and others components.

2. Public Space • Increased knowledge about public space among civil society and media. • National River Conservation Commission committed to work jointly with WBB

and others civil society organizations to save water bodies. • Head of Department, Maruf Hossain participated in a conference organized by

Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP). He was team leader of the group working on public space and was the speaker of the group working on transportation.

3. Integrated Transportation System • Increased WBB’s knowledge about Integrated Transport system and increased

organizational capacity to work on it.

4. Others • Increased number of organizations working on livable cities issues. • Department of Environment (DoE) prepared a roadmap to reduce transport related

emission trough suggestions from WBB Trust and others stakeholders. • Candidates backed by both ruling and non-ruling party asked WBB for suggestions

to prepare their election manifestos, which helped us to influence the candidates to promote livable cities issues.

Table 1: Network development Completed Activities

Reach - numbers

Reach – %

Result/Immediate Outcome

Impact/Intermediate Out comes

Variance

18 face to face meetings with network members each month (met same person several times)

# 216 NGOs (most of the existing members among them)

36% (approximately 600 organizations could do LC Work)

100 organizations are working on livable cities issues. (most of the existing members among them)

Increased the capacity of the network to organize livable cities campaigns. • “Padatik-work for

walking rights” organized a leaflet campaign to encourage walking in Mohammad area.

• Shalikha District Association organized a human chain to demand Joshohor-Magura-Dhaka rail line

• Architects working on vendor management issues began meeting

• Shamaj Unnoyon Proshikkhon Kendra organized an awareness program to make Livable Cities in Jamalpur.

• Started a friendship bike ride with Mastul volunteers on Fridays

• Bangladesh Institute of Planners organized

Conference on “Dhaka for Future Generation: Our Actions”.

• Orunodoyer Torun Dol did wall painting against honking.

• Right Now Volunteers is a youth group which is playing active role in social media on LC issue.

• Tongi- Sadarghat Rail line Bastabayan Committee arranged a leaflet campaign and human chain on 14th December on demand of circular rail in Dhaka City.

• No. 34 ward cleaning campaign is being organized weekly by local community. Four campaigns have been already organized and is a continuous program.

• Save the Environment Movement (POBA) organized a seminar on pedestrian friendly transportation system.

• Save the Environment

14th December is Intellectual Day. So nearly 1 million people viewed the activity.

Movement (POBA) organized a walk-a-thon on pedestrian issue.

• Save the Environment Movement (POBA) organized 3 campaigns for implementing law to reduce usage of polythenes.

• Rail Labour Union sent letter to related agency to recruit new people.

III Edition of the LC newsletter focused on integrated transportation systems, ASRTS, and public space. Distributed 9000 copies

1200 NGOs, 700 Govt. Officers, 64 Libraries, 50 institutions, teacher, students, individuals

100% (broader group of NGOs – not just those could do LC work)

Increased awareness of on-going activities related to LC among 1200 NGOs, 700 govt. Officers and others.

Developed a leaflet on walking issue. Distributed 2000 copies

1 NGO Created demand to improve walking environment in Mohammadpur area

Developed a leaflet on rail issue

1 NGO Created demand to build Joshohor-Magura-Dhaka rail line in Shalikha sub-district

!

Distributed 3000 sticker and 500 poster on vendor issue

1 Vendor association

Increased awareness among vendors

It is related to pedestrian issue

Residential Training - “Camp Cool”, was organized.

38 participant 9 youth-based organization’s capacity was built to raise advocates working on livable cities issues.

Organized 2 awareness campaigns and demonstrations. Developed leaflets for each campaign. Camp Cool team is advocating for a zebra crossing in front of University at Mirpur road.

Table 2: Advocacy and awareness related activities:

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!Not part of our planned work but community asked us to raise this issue.!2!Bangladesh!Poribesh!Andolon!(BAPA)!3!Poribesh!Bachao!Andolon!(POBA)!4!Bangladesh!Institute!of!Planners!(B.I.P)!

Completed Activities (What did you do and how much of it did you do?)

Reach - numbers (How many people were directly reached?)

Reach – percentage (What percentage of the target audience does this represent?)

Result/ Immediate Outcome (What has changed as a result of this activity or combination of activities?)

Impact/ Intermediate Outcomes (Is anyone better off from having done these activities? How do you know?)

Variance (is this activity, result, or impact different from what you projected? If so, how?)

Improving Public Transportation System And Car Control1

1 View exchange meeting organized by BAPA2, POBA3, BIP4 and WBB on improving public transport to reduce cars on World Car Free Day -1 Presentation -2 Press Release

30 representatives from NGOs, 10 Journalists, 50 Representatives from Universities, CSO’s and Institutions.

5% NGOs representatives 2% journalists

Better understanding about National Integrated Multimodal Transport Policy -2013 and its implementation for improving public bus and reducing cars. Increased the number of supporters for car control. 10 media coverage of the view exchange meeting.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police took initiative to remove illegal car parking in 2 areas of Dhaka. (Learnt through media)

1 View Exchange meeting on Public Bus organized by POBA and WBB -1 Presentation -2 press release

14 NGOs 22 Journalists

2% NGOs 4% journalists

Increased knowledge about existing bus service in Dhaka among participants.

2 view exchange meetings on Car Free Cities organized by WBB and BIP. - 2 presentations - 3 press release

6 NGO 5 Journalists 3 Universities 1 Political Party 1 Government Official

1% NGOs 1% Journalists

Increased knowledge about designing car free city among participants.

1 letter sent to relevant ministry and agencies to inform about the view exchange meeting.

8 stakeholders.

1 demonstration organized demanding “improving public bus service to discourage private cars” on the event of World Car Free Day -Distributed 1000 copies of leaflet - 2 press releases

6 NGOs each event

1% NGO representatives

Increased knowledge among guardians of the children.

1 Radio program - World Car Free Day

4000000 listeners

Estimated 3% of Bangladesh population

Increased awareness among general public about issues.

Conducted research on public bus service

Increased WBB’s understanding on people’s perception about bus service, facilities and

! !

problems.

6 face to face meetings

Met government officials and bus owners. Collected latest report on urban transportation issue.

Walkability

17 Orientation sessions among students in 3 schools about “Active and Safe Route to School” -1 presentations -3 press releases

1000 Students

Increased awareness among students about importance of walking and safety.

Increased capacity of community members to demand safe routes to school. • Community people

organized a rally to demand safe routes to school.

• Students organized a letter campaign on demand of safe routes to school.

Conducted hands-up, observation and perception survey in 2 Schools.

Observed Rayerbazar area

1000 Students (Hands-up) 400 students (Perception)

60% students Increased understanding about travel mode, travel distance to school Increased awareness among teachers, parents and students about walking environment Increased understanding about the condition of transportation in Rayerbazar area

25 face to face meeting with Government, Non-Governmental and officials of international organizations about ASRTS program.

Government officials, community leaders, teachers, parents, school managing committee and political leaders supported us to implement ASRTS

program.

2 trainings -2 presentations -1 press release

30 participants from MASTUL (online-based voluntary organization. 20 participants from Right Now Volunteers

Increased capacity of the participants to observe the pedestrian environment. Observed 5 areas to know the walking situation and prepared report

Increased infrastructure improvements: • Repaired footpath in 23

areas. • 11 areas received (new

footpath) • Sitting arrangement in

4 areas.

1 Meeting with people with disabilities

Developed relations between organizations working among people with disabilities

1 view exchange meeting about the necessity to ensure public toilet for pedestrian especially for women and people with disability. - 2 press release - 1 Article - Prepared report and

sent to related agencies (10 stakeholders)

10 NGOs 15 journalists

NGOs 1.67% Journalists 3%

Increased awareness among people about the necessity of public toilet especially for women and disable people.

5 Meeting on walker and hawker issue -5 presentations -4 sites visited

3 Universities 2 Organizations

0.33%

Formed a group to work on vendor management

1 view exchange meeting on walkers and hawkers : issues and proposals - 2 press release - 2 presentations

15 NGOs NGOs 2.5% Increased understanding of vendor management.

2 Radio Program on Pedestrian issues including public toilet

400,0000 listeners


Increased awareness among general public about issues.

CEO of Dhaka South City Corporation committed to take initiatives and adopt a plan to ensure quality public toilet.

13 letters sent to relevant agencies working on transport issue directly and indirectly about pedestrian infrastructure and importance of cycle.

18 stakeholders per letter

100% (Policy makers, bureaucrats and CSOs representative)

Increased awareness among policy makers and government officials about pedestrian infrastructure and importance of cycle.

Sent pedestrian alert regularly (pedestrian death news by road accident)

6 government agencies

Relevant authorities are more sensitized about pedestrian/vehicle collisions. Increased knowledge about ways to prevent collisions.

Dhaka South City Corporation has declared Sat Masjid Road as pedestrian friendly and asked plans for it. WBB, URP dept. BUET and city corporation is jointly working on it.

Observed walking environment in 26 places and sent reports

WBB and Right Now Volunteers

Raised awareness among government officials about the condition of local footpaths and road crossings.

Developed a design for vendor management.

WBB and urban and Regional Planning

! !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!5!Training!and!Technology!Transfer!(TTT)!!

Department of BUET

Rickshaw and Bicycle

Submitted proposal to TTT5 for NMT Improvement Project – to be implemented along the BRT corridor in Dhaka

WBB was short listed for the project

Did not succeed in the final round

Not in original proposal

1 letter sent on reduce tax on bicycles


100% (Policy makers, bureaucrats and CSOs)

Increased awareness among policy makers, government officials and CSOs

!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

Noise

1 View exchange meeting organized by POBA and WBB -1 paper -1 press releases



Created awareness among general population to reduce noise pollution.

Measured noise level in 5 places in Dhaka and sent the result to relevant agencies to take action to reduce sound pollution

6 government agencies

33%

1 Radio Program on - Reduce Noise

400,0000 listeners


Raised awareness among general public about issues.

!

Integrated Transportation System and Rail 1 view exchange meeting on the necessity of Tongi-Mirpur-Gabtoli-Rayerbazar-Sadarghat rail line -1 presentation -1 paper (Review on Annual Development Program) -1 press release

18 Participants from Rayerbazar community (Political leaders, CSOs

Formed a group to work on demand Tongi-Mirpur-Gabtoli-Rayerbazar-Sadarghat rail line Government has approved the new line and they are recruiting consultants and preparing budget for Dhaka-Tongi 3rd and 4th rail line.

3 Observation survey and desktop study on Integrated Transportation System -1 Presentation

Increased understanding about Integrated transportation System

Organized 1 demonstration on responsibilities of passengers and to keep train clean -2000 Leaflet -2 press release



Raised awareness among citizens and created pressure on policy makers

3 human chains on demand of Dhaka-Tongi 3rd and 4th rail line. -3 reports prepared and


0.5% NGOs 4% Journalists

Increased awareness of importance of rail among participants and general public.

sent to related agencies/ authorities.

12 letters sent to the relevant agencies/authorities on increasing budget for rail, take initiative to reduce train accidents, make train clean and to ensure propoer management of the railway land, anddemand of Dhaka-Tongi 3rd and 4th rail line, responsibilities of passengers and to keep train clean, demanding Joshohor-Dhaka-Magura raillne


#100%

Raised awareness among policy makers and NGOs, on related issues.

25 face to face meeting with Rail Minister, Secretary of Railway Ministry, Director General of Bangladesh Railway, Directors other officials of Bangladesh Railway to implement Dhaka-Tongi 3rd and 4th rail line, ensure quality service for passenger, improving the schedule of train and about

On average 5 officials on each meeting.

Raised awareness among stakeholders about issues.

! !

Integrated Transportation System. 20 face to face meetings regarding Integrated Transportation System.

Raised awareness among stakeholders about integrating all the modes of transportation.

1 Radio Program on Railway development issues

400,0000 listeners



Water

1 View exchange meeting on positive initiatives by the Government to save water bodies in Bangladesh -1 presentation -1 press release


2% NGOs. 1% of journalists

Increased awareness about the initiatives to save water bodies by the Government and community among participants.

Government took decision to develop web portal on rivers and canals where people can complain direct. National River Conservation Commission committed to implement Wetland Master Plan.

1 Round table meeting on wetland management. - 1 presentation - 2 press release - Report sent to

related agencies

6 govt. officials 26 journalists 25 NGOs

5.2% Journalists 4% NGOs

Increased awareness among participants about importance of protecting wetlands.

1 walks for water right - 2000 leaflets - 2 press release - Report sent to

related agencies

30 Journalists 20 NGOs

Journalists 6% NGOs 3%

Increased awareness among people about the necessity to ensure pure water for everyone.

Attended the 1st meeting of National River Conservation Commission to save rivers including Buriganga river

NRCC adopted suggestions from us including creating a database for rivers and canals and developing mobile apps which will support the collection of information from citizen

from all corner of the country.

Attended 5 mobile courts to remove illegal structure from river bank around Dhaka.

Removed illegal structures from river banks.

Conducted research on positive initiative of save water bodies in Bangladesh -7 sites visited in different regions of Bangladesh

Increased WBB’s awareness on positive initiative of save water bodies in Bangladesh

5 letters sent to relevant agencies to inform government officials about illegal encroachment of water bodies.


100% (Policy makers, bureaucrats and CSOs representative relevant in this sector)

Government conducted mobile courts to remove illegal structures.

1 Radio Program 400,0000 listeners



14 face to face meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Thana Nirbahi Officer, City Corporation Officials

Increased knowledge of WBB’s staff about the government initiatives of save water bodies.

! !

And NGO Officials. Increased awareness among GO and NGO officials to save water bodies.

! !

Urban Structure (Park, Open Space)

1 Press Conference to save Dhanmondi 8 No. playground (support to BAPA)

15 NGOs 20 journalists each event


Increased awareness among local people about ways to save the playground

4 Demonstration programs to save Dhanmondi 8 No. playground

50 NGOs 8% NGOs Engaged community people to save the playground

4 cleaning campaigns A 4*1000 leaflets A 1 community (Low-

income community) engaged

A 5 schools engaged


NGOs 1.6% Journalists 2%

Increased awareness among community people about keeping their premises clean.

3 letters sent to related agencies/ authorities on park and cleaning campaign.

10 stakeholders City Corporation has verbally committed to set up dustbins in the community to keep the surroundings clean.

Others

Celebrated World Environment Day 2013 -Attended rally -Attended 7 days exhibition -Displayed model on ecocity and WBB’s publications and materials -Distributed WBB’s books and materials

400 NGOs 100 CSOs

67% NGOs Increased awareness about general issues of WBB among participants such as representatives from GO, NGO, CSO, Media, Institutes etc

Supported Roads and Highways Department to organize workshop on transport issue

5 City Mayors, 30 GO Officials, 3 NGO Officials, 5 Donors, 20 Journalists, 12 CSO Representatives

Increased awareness among Roads and Highways Department about the importance of rail, walking and cycling. Increased knowledge of ways to make livable cities among participants.

Attended national dialogue on Roadmap to reduce transport related pollution

Increased awareness among participants about roadmap to reduce transport related pollution

They adopted some of our suggestions in roadmap document such as giving priority to pedestrian and cyclist

20 TV reports and gave speech on LC issues from WBB

Raised awareness among general public about issues

Organized March to save all rivers of Bangladesh as a co-organizer

36 NGOs 6% NGOs Created awareness among government officials and mass people

through media Organized a demonstration as a co-organizer to create awareness on- manage waste of Korbani Eid to make city clean and healthy



Increased awareness among people about waste management of Korbani Eid.

Organized a human chain to shift tannery industry from Hazaribag to Savar



Increased awareness among people about the importance of shifting tannery from Hazaribag to Savar

The shifting procedure of the tannery is under process.

5 Radio Programs on various events- World Environment Day, Safe Food, Role Of Youth To Save Environment, Protect

Ozone Layer and Manage Waste Of Korbani Eid.

20000,000 listeners



Maruf Hossain attended Walk21 conference in Sydney

Increased confidence and met many experts who work on walking and place making issues

Expanded our international network

Maruf Hossain met with Environment Minister of Australia

Minister committed to come Bangladesh to give lecture if we invite him in future

Media published that news in Canberra and Dhaka

Maruf Hossain met with Mohinder Sing, Advisor, Land Transport Authority, Singapore

Developed relation between Land Transport Authority, Singapore and WBB Trust

He agreed to provide training on transport issue and give reference if we want to manage

fund Syed Mahabubul Alam attended the meeting on role of RAJUK (Capital Development Authority) organized by POBA

Highlighted to emphasize on planning and monitoring instead of real estate business and flyover projects from RAJUK

Syed Mahbubl Alam Attended the workshop on updating the strategic plan for surveillance and prevention of Non Communicable Disease Control in Bangladesh

Highlighted the importance of walking and cycling to reduce the risk of NCDs

DGHealth adopted a strategy to increase physical activity through walking and cycling

Saifuddin Ahmed attended the regional consultation on multisectoral policies for containing noncommunicable diseases in the South-East Asia Region, Bengaluru, India

Shared his experience to prevent NCDs with WBB’s staffs

Participated in a fair named ‘Matir Mela’ that focused on sustainable living. WBB trust had a stall there promoting NMT.

Professional Development: Team members of the livable cities program have increased capacity in communication, research and proposal writing. Also recognized some of them are as expert on LC issue both at national and international level. Maruf Hossain attended the Walk21 conference in Sydney and that help to increase his knowledge and capacity as well as expose our position in front of international audience. Also he was team leader of a research based paper on public spaces and open spaces initiated by B.I.P and CDC6. He selected for NMT project by ADB as a NMT coordinator. Ziaur Rahman, Project Officer, went to India as a FK Norway fellow for a year and increased his capacity on research and natural resource management.!Syed Saiful Alam Shovan, Media Advocacy Officer, selected as member of National Committee of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Md. Atiqur Rahman, Assistant Project Officer, gave a presentation on non-communicable diseases at a Divisional Workshop. He was also present as a facilitator at Camp Cool workshop. He was key note speaker on press conference about rail issue. Md. Atiqur Rahman has written a book as a co author on ‘Railway Workshops’. He wrote LC 4 year proposals for Health Bridge. Samiul Hassan Shajib, Assistant Project Officer, wrote paper and present at the seminar on public space and transport issue and increased his capacity on research especially on walkability. Increased Samiul’s organizing capacity of the event. e.g. He was successful facilitator of camp cool. Lessons Learned Our work focuses at national level but it takes time to change any policy at national level. It is very difficult to show the result from our activities. Community engagement could be used as a strategy to bring change. Dhaka South City Corporation was repairing the footpaths of Satmasjid Road but it was a delayed project. The footpaths needed some elements like ramps, pedestrian lights, sitting arrangements, public toilets etc. Then we prepared a report on the problems of the footpaths Satmasjid Road with possible solutions and sent a letter along with the report. But it did not bring any result. Later we met with Chief executive Officer of DSCC and he suggested giving a concrete proposal through arranging a program. Then we arranged a view exchange meeting and gave a concrete solutions to make Satmasjid Road pedestrian friendly with all necessary elements including ramps, pedestrian lights, sitting arrangements, public toilets along with proper vendor management. DSCC appreciated our proposal and committed to work on the issue and provide license to the vendors. Later Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) also decided to provide license to the vendors. Our consistent advocacy regarding pedestrian issue has led us to the success and this is an important lesson. In order to be successful, we must be consistent and continually monitoring the situation.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!6!Centre for Development Communication!

We have been organizing cleaning campaign in the Rayerbazar community in a regular basis. We understood that to attain sustainability we need to set up dustbins in the area. Then we communicated with DNCC and they asked for proposal. We conducted a survey and gave a proposal to DNCC with mapping of where it is necessary to set up a dustbin. DNCC has accepted the proposal and the procedure is under process. The lesson here is that it is possible to make changes but approaching the right authorities. Sustainability We have successfully engaged the community people (Rayerbazar area) about the importance of ASRTS program. They are willingly helping us to make safe route to school. Rayerbazar community people have also adopted the cleaning program. At present they are conducting cleaning program on their own and increasing awareness among people. Urban planners and architects are willingly working with us in our vendor management program and they have expressed their cordial interest to continue the program and make it a success. Recommendations Our program is functioning well and we are meeting our objectives. We will continue to work on existing issues. We have got commitment from both City Corporations for vendor licensing. We will continue working for proper implementation. DSCC has declared to make Satmasjid Road pedestrian-friendly. Now we will monitor the implementation process and also provide proper recommendations regarding the issue. We will work to make Boishakhi Playground as an ideal playground. We need to work for some infrastructure development (public toilets, sitting arrangements, dustbins etc) on it. DNCC has approved our proposal of setting up dustbins in the Rayerbazar area. We need to continue our work for it unless the dustbins have been set up.

healthbridge final report promoting environment friendly ... · healthbridge final report promoting...

Documents