Melissa Alipalo

Including beneficiaries' personal stories, this report shows how the Asian Development Bank has worked with the Government of Bangladesh to improve urban lives by creating healthier environments with better, more inclusive governance. Since 2002, the Asian Development Bank has worked with the Government of Bangladesh on expanding the Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project (UGIIP), to revitalize 96 of the country's 328 important secondary towns—pourashavas. Advancing Bangladesh's urban development through performance-based infrastructure financing for pourashavas improving their governance, UGIIP has transformed individual lives and whole communities—with livelihood training, inclusive organizations for better civic management, and new infrastructure creating healthier, sustainable environments for vulnerable residents.

This publication showcases how ADB and the Government of Rajasthan have partnered together to bring sustainable development to the cities and towns of Rajasthan, in northwest India. Since 1998, the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP), extensive work has been undertaken to address urban challenges such as widespread poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and a harsh climate. This publication reflects on RajasthanÕs development issues and solutions and showcases how infrastructure investments and institutional support under the RUIDP have improved the economic conditions, health, and overall quality of life of citizens. It also discusses lessons learned and future priorities.