Environmental audits and strategies for the cities of Tripoli and El-Mina (Lebanon), Oran (Algeria), Limassol (Cyprus), Sousse (Tunisia), and Tangiers (Morocco)

In the spring and summer of 1993, ECODIT's directors coordinated for the World Bank/METAP the environmental audits of Tripoli/El-Mina, Lebanon and Oran, Algeria. ECODIT also provided solid waste expertise for the environmental audit of Limassol, Cyprus. Finally, ECODIT directors reviewed the environmental audit and strategy reports prepared for two other cities (Sousse, Tunisia and Tangiers, Morocco) and prepared a synthesis report on the five municipal environmental audits. In Tripoli and Oran, ECODIT directed data collection and analysis efforts by two teams of 12 local and international experts each, and was responsible for preparing the final audit and strategy report. In each city, the audit team assessed the existing situation and evaluated the costs of several options to improve the environment, including the "no-action" approach. The audits identified priority projects in water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, coastal zone management, and land use.

Regional urban environmental strategy for the Middle East and North Africa

ECODIT staff provided technical support to the World Bank in drafting an urban environmental strategy for the Middle East and North Africa region. ECODIT staff reviewed specialized literature (World Bank project documents, national environmental action plans, UNDP reports, UNCHS reports, WHO reports, METAP papers, etc.) and analyzed trends in urban population growth and poverty. ECODIT staff then prepared a regional urban environmental profile highlighting three priority issues: land use and coastal zone management, waste management, and air pollution control. For each priority issue, ECODIT staff examined the nature, causes and impacts of environmental degradation, and formulated strategy options for improving the environment. ECODIT staff prepared a draft strategy paper with specific recommendations to protect and improve the urban environment in the Middle East and North Africa.

Identification of investment opportunities to improve Vietnam's urban environment

For the Singapore-based Regional Institute of Environmental Technology, ECODIT assessed the demand for environmental infrastructure projects in 24 medium-sized urban centers (population between 90,000 and 350,000) in Vietnam. ECODIT evaluated the development of private environmental infrastructure projects and studied ways to encourage foreign direct investment (Build Operate Transfer (BOT)) in urban and industrial wastewater and waste management systems. In particular, ECODIT emphasized locally-adapted waste recycling options of marketable products. ECODIT also conducted a critical analysis of the type and level of development assistance these centers are already getting from bilateral and multilateral donors as well as from non-government organizations. Based on this assessment, ECODIT developed a prioritized list of possible projects (including small in-the-field pilot projects with local population participation) and proposed an action plan to develop the most promising projects.

Environmental audits and strategies for the cities of Gaza (Palestine) and Haifa (Israel)

For Medcities, ECODIT conducted municipal environmental audits of Haifa, Israel and Gaza, Palestine. In each city, ECODIT coordinated the efforts of a team of local and international experts collecting and analyzing municipal data. The audit team assessed the existing situation and identified several options to improve the environment. The audits covered the various aspects of the municipal environment, including water supply and sanitation, river rehabilitation and oued pollution control, solid waste management, coastal zone management, municipal GIS development, liquid industrial waste control, and land use and urban planning. For each city, ECODIT prepared the final audit and environmental strategy reports after organizing several public consultation meetings.

Sanitary and health evaluation of municipalities in the State of Bahia, Brazil

For the World Bank and the Bahia Water and Sanitation Company (EMBASA), ECODIT and GEOHIDRO, our Brazilian partners for this study, conducted a two-stage sanitary and health assessment of all 415 municipalities in the State of Bahia. The purpose of this study was to identify priority water, sanitation, and environmental projects. The study is in two stages. In Stage I, we performed a general diagnostic survey of the physical, health, sanitary and environmental conditions of all 415 municipalities in the State of Bahia and selected 60 municipalities for more detailed assessments. The survey included: (1) water supply; (2) sewer systems and rainwater drainage; (3) urban garbage disposal; (4) control of disease transmitting vectors; (5) environment; (6) water-borne diseases; and (7) physical, climatic, socio-economic, and cultural conditions. The survey consolidated all existing information in the various institutions (federal, state, and municipal) operating in Salvador. In Stage II, the ECODIT-GEOHIDRO team visited all 60 municipalities and collected more detailed and up-to-date information on the sanitary and health situation as well as existing or proposed environmental projects. We identified and evaluated potential environmental projects for each of the 60 municipalities and selected six municipalities where priority water and sanitation projects will be implemented.

Soil and water resource conservation in Oued Nakhla, Morocco

Under the Water Resources Sustainability activity, ECODIT has implemented a soil and water resources conservation pilot project in the Oued Nakhla watershed between Tétouan and Chefchaouen. The five-year project included direct interventions to reduce soil erosion originating from croplands, existing gullies, ravines, and degraded matorral. Activities included planting olive and almond trees, repairing irrigation channels, controlling gullies, planting trees for firewood production and perennial grasses for livestock forage and encouraging the use of fuel alternatives to wood in households. The pilot project reduced (1) soil losses in the watershed by over 12,000 tons per year and (2) the annual rate of loss in dam reservoir storage capacity by about 2.5%. ECODIT has also fostered active participation from the farmers to improve long-term management of the watershed's resources. Working with local farmers, ECODIT has completed the following direct interventions: planted about 114,000 olive trees over 762 hectares; planted 13,000 fruit trees over 46 hectares; stabilized 3.5 km of ravines by installing gabions and planting soil-retaining trees; rehabilitated five water sources and built seven storage reservoirs; enhanced 6.6 hectares of rangelands; installed 15.8 hectares of grass strips; and created six village committees in the project area. ECODIT has conducted numerous workshops covering all topics relating to project implementation activities. These topics included construction of "cuvettes," beekeeping, goat production, grass strips, agricultural implements, improved crop production techniques for wheat and forages, disease and pest control in olives, cooking stoves, and replication of project activities.

Environmental Assessment of AID-funded projects in the West Bank and Gaza

For the US Agency for International Development and the Project in Development and Environment (PRIDE), ECODIT participated in a two-month mission to the West Bank and Gaza to conduct (1) an environmental assessment (EA) of a wastewater treatment and reuse project for Ramallah, West Bank, implemented by the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA); and (2) programmatic environmental assessments (PEAs) of a Cooperative and Municipal Development Project (also implemented by ANERA), an Institutional Development Project (Save the Children Federation), and an Integrated Rural Development Project (Catholic Relief Services) in the West Bank and Gaza. The US AID funds all four projects. ECODIT participated in identifying potential environmental impacts and formulating environmental mitigation, monitoring, and management measures for each project. ECODIT took the lead role in preparing the EA for the Ramallah wastewater project and the PEA for the municipal and cooperative development project. ECODIT also organized workshops with the three Private Volunteer Organizations (PVOs) on USAID environmental procedures and preliminary findings of the EA and PEAs.

Municipal Database System in Lebanon

For Lebanon's Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, ECODIT designed and developed a municipal database system (MDS) and selection criteria in preparation for the upcoming First Municipal Development Project to be funded by a World Bank loan. The MDS will help the Ministry target investment programs and develop municipal sector development strategies and activities. The system will allow MOMRA to monitor about 100 municipal and village development indicators. ECODIT designed these indicators to reflect the performance of Lebanese municipalities in land use regulation, municipal/fiscal finances, human resource management, infrastructure management, services, local participation and accountability, and use of information technology. ECODIT also developed a municipal financial model to analyze the potential revenues that Lebanese municipalities can collect from direct and indirect taxes/fees under the existing Lebanese tax system. We used the model to analyze the adequacy of the existing tax system to sustain an active role by municipalities. We also identified alternative sources of municipal funds and assessed their potential impacts on the financial viability of Lebanese municipalities.

Environment and Development Observatory in Tripoli, Lebanon

The Al Fayhaa Union of Municipalities, which groups the municipalities of Tripoli, El-Mina and Beddawi in North Lebanon, obtained technical and financial support from the European Commission to establish an Environment and Development Observatory for Tripoli and its region. ECODIT was selected to assist the Union of Municipalities to establish and launch the Observatory. We prepared a feasibility study of the Observatory and prepared a work plan for the launching phase. ECODIT met with the mayors of the municipalities involved and other neighboring municipalities, officials from the University of Lebanon, engineering and professional associations, environmental activists, and other local stakeholders to assess their needs and expectations from the project. We also reviewed existing information on indicators and analyzed environment and development trends and priorities in Tripoli. ECODIT presented the project during a public meeting in Tripoli and organized a workshop to discuss the preliminary feasibility study report. ECODIT has recruited the local staff of the Observatory. The project team prepared a report on development and environmental indicators for Tripoli and its region and put together a proposal to ensure the sustainability of the Observatory beyond the launching phase. ECODIT also helped to organize a national conference to present the results of the study and discuss the lessons-learned and next stages.