Western Balkan cities: Pressure with no release
October 24, 2024
Using case studies from Belgrade, Sarajevo and Skopje, our report examines urban planning practices, the consequences of poor governance, and the need for sustainable infrastructure investment.
A flawed rollout: How the EBRD’s efforts to tackle harassment on Tbilisi public transport have fallen short
October 11, 2024
In an effort to tackle gender-based violence and harassment across Tbilisi’s public transport network, the EBRD has provided financial and technical support to Tbilisi Transport Company – the operator responsible for managing public transport services in the city – to help them set up a tracking system to address incidents on the city’s metro and bus routes.
CEE Bankwatch Network comments on the draft of the EBRD Infrastructure Sector Strategy
August 14, 2024
The EBRD’s draft strategy, published in the summer of 2024, shows improvements particularly in terms of good governance, inclusion, safety, affordability, accessibility of municipal and transport infrastructure and services. In our new comments, we argue that more needs to be done to decarbonise and promote circular economy principles and sustainable waste management.
Forum Discusses New Yerevan Master Plan: Residents Lack Adequate Greenspace
August 1, 2024
Yerevan residents seeking a patch of greenspace for a bit of respite from the urban clamor, especially during the dog days of summer, probably won’t be surprised to learn that such areas in the city are way less than accepted international standards.
The last trolleybus of Bishkek: mayor’s decision defies logic and undermines foreign investments in green transport
July 19, 2024
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) need to investigate the impact of their public transport projects in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan as the city’s urban mobility system gets a complete overhaul without transparency or public participation.
Bishkek’s sustainable urban mobility development: A review of current policies and investments with recommendations for enhanced transformative impact
June 26, 2024
As Bishkek’s population grows, public transport in the Kyrgyz capital is clearly lagging far behind demand. A new research paper, produced in collaboration with our Kyrgyz partners Peshcom, maps the situation of sustainable urban mobility development in Bishkek.
Gender mainstreaming in urban mobility investments
May 29, 2024
In many cities around the world, moving freely, safely and without constraint remains a daily challenge for vulnerable groups including women. In this paper, we identify shortcomings in the EBRD’s implementation of gender mainstreaming in the urban transport sector and make recommendations for improvement.
Bishkek’s electric trolleybuses under threat from ADB-funded transport overhaul
May 2, 2024
In an effort to address Bishkek’s pollution issue, the city plans to purchase 120 electric buses as well as a fleet of compressed natural gas buses. However, these may replace the city’s most environmentally friendly mode of transportation – the trolleybus.
International financial support for Ukraine’s recovery
March 28, 2024
In the third part of the research series ‘On the reconstruction front line: Ukrainian municipalities and the funding landscape’, we examine the support for Ukraine’s reconstruction which is being provided by international partners, financial institutions, and dedicated funds. This last section evaluates the availability of international financial support for municipalities.
Ukrainian municipalities: Accessing domestic and international financial resources for reconstruction efforts at the national level
March 28, 2024
In the second part of the research series ‘On the reconstruction front line: Ukrainian municipalities and the funding landscape’, we identify opportunities for utilising state funds and other forms of state support to meet the recovery needs of municipalities.