Medium-Sized Cities Integrated Urban Development Project - Baseline Assessment (Monitoring and Evaluation Surveys)
The problem:
Uzbekistan's urbanization has been uneven, with medium-sized cities often overlooked in the national development agenda. These cities, while crucial to the country's regional growth, face significant challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, limited access to public services, and underdeveloped public spaces. The National Medium-Size Cities Program (NMSCP) was launched to address these issues by promoting integrated urban and territorial development in selected medium-sized cities. The goal was to transform these cities in a holistic manner, ensuring they contribute effectively to regional and national development.
However, before any interventions could be designed or implemented, there was a need for a comprehensive baseline assessment to understand the current state of urban infrastructure, public spaces, service delivery, and the local economy in the targeted cities—Kagan, Yangiyul, Chartak, and Pskent. The assessment aimed to identify gaps in infrastructure, services, and economic opportunities, particularly in relation to how these factors impact households, businesses, and tourism. Without this baseline data, it would be challenging to measure the effectiveness of the NMSCP and ensure that the project’s objectives were met.
The baseline assessment needed to gather quantitative data on access to and satisfaction with public services, infrastructure, and public spaces among households, businesses, and tourists. This data would provide a clear picture of the existing conditions in the targeted cities, highlight areas in need of improvement, and help in setting realistic targets for the project’s outcomes. It was also essential for strengthening the institutional capacity of local governments to manage urban infrastructure and services more effectively.
The solution:
InfoCapital Group LLC (ICG) conducted a comprehensive baseline assessment as part of the Project in the targeted medium-sized cities in Uzbekistan. This assessment was designed to provide a detailed understanding of the current state of urban infrastructure, public services, public spaces, and the local economy in the cities of Kagan, Yangiyul, Chartak, and Pskent. The goal was to gather data that would inform the development and implementation of the National Medium-Size Cities Program (NMSCP) and help in tracking its impact over time.
ICG began by conducting extensive preparatory work to define the sampling and surveying techniques for three key surveys: the Household Survey, the Business Survey, and the Tourist Survey. Using statistical methods such as power calculations, ICG determined the sample sizes needed to ensure that the data collected would be representative at the city level. Quality control mechanisms were also established to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data.
The Household Survey focused on gathering quantitative data from 625 households across the four cities. This survey provided insights into access to and satisfaction with public services, infrastructure, and public spaces related to the NMSCP. It also collected data on housing characteristics, labor market outcomes, and how these factors are linked to the tourism sector.
The Business Survey targeted 100 tourism-related enterprises, collecting data on their access to and satisfaction with services and infrastructure. The survey also explored business growth, the local business environment, and the development and promotion of new touristic products. This information was crucial for understanding the economic impact of the NMSCP on local businesses and identifying opportunities for further development.
The Tourist Survey, conducted with 165 tourists, gathered data on their experiences, including the information and booking process, length of visit, places visited, and expenditures. The survey also assessed tourists’ satisfaction with various aspects of their visit, such as accommodation, food, transportation, and urban infrastructure. This data was essential for evaluating the attractiveness of the cities as tourist destinations and identifying areas for improvement.
Based on the data collected from these surveys, ICG provided a comprehensive baseline report that highlighted the existing gaps in urban infrastructure, public services, and economic opportunities in the targeted cities. The report also included recommendations for addressing these gaps and enhancing the cities’ capacity to manage urban development more effectively. This baseline assessment laid the foundation for the successful implementation of the NMSCP and ensured that the project’s objectives would be met in a measurable and impactful way.
Start date:
05/2021
Services:
Client:
World Bank
