Pakse Urban Environmental Improvement

Key City Development Issues

Pakse is the largest urban center in southern Lao PDR and the capital of Champasack Province with a population of about 120,000. Since the mid-1990s, it has been the key commercial and tourism center in southern Lao PDR and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). As in many other secondary cities in Asia, Pakse is experiencing rapid environmental degradation caused by pressures arising from significant urbanization and economic growth. Improvement of basic urban and environmental infrastructure and strengthening of local capacity to plan and manage urban growth are necessary for Pakse to develop into a sustainable, livable and competitive city.

Details of Cooperation

CDIA-supported activities included: (i) technical assistance in undertaking a rapid infrastructure assessment and produce a Medium-term Urban Environmental Infrastructure Program (MUEIP); (ii) conduct of a project preparatory study (PPS) on solid waste management and flood and drainage management and associated capacity building; and (iii) identification of potential linkage of the PPS to downstream financing.

Expected Development Outcomes

The project is expected to have significant positive social and environmental impacts including improvement of the overall attractiveness of Pakse as a tourism destination. It will improve the lives and health of communities and individuals by (i) enhancing air quality from indiscriminate burning of waste; (ii) improving accessibility, which may otherwise be hampered by flooding; (iii) reducing vulnerability along the Xedon River; and (iv) enhancing local ownership and awareness about environmental sanitation. The project will also improve women’s access to basic urban infrastructure and services.