South Asia Urban Knowledge Hub (K-Hub)
Background:
The South Asia Urban Knowledge Hub (‘the K-Hub’) aims to increase the influence of evidence based advocacy for urban policy and practice in South Asia. The K-Hub will build a network of training and research institutions in the region; and develop a forum for improving knowledge management within and between countries and regions. Hub activities will facilitate sharing of best practices in urban management, infrastructure and services delivery in South Asia and other regions; and develop capacity for outcome oriented research in the urban sector.
Initiator:
K-Hub is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Governments of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The initiative is also being supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Objective and Scope of Work:
The main objective of the K-Hub is to build capacity to generate and apply knowledge to city management according to principles of sustainable development and to influence policy and decision-makers in this direction. The K-Hub will facilitate information and experience exchanges within South Asia for city managers, utility staff, policy makers, academia and private sector to improve the urban environment and services delivery. The K-Hub also aims (i) to make recommendations to improve University-level curricula for urban planners and managers in South Asia, and (ii) strengthen national centers’ capacity for outcome oriented research and influencing intended audiences. The regional center of the K-Hub will be based in India. This institution in India will play the dual role of regional and national center for India; and each participating country, including Bangladesh, will have a national center that has been endorsed by the respective government.
Additional Reading:
Policy Brief 1: Policy Brief on Fecal Sludge ManagementPolicy Brief 2: Operational/ Business Model for Sustainable FSM Services in Urban Areas of Bangladesh
Policy Brief 3: Integrated Approach for Development of Slums and Low Income Communities in Urban Areas of Bangladesh
Knowledge Product 2: A Proposed Operational/Business Model for Sustainable Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Services in Urban Areas of Bangladesh
Knowledge Product 3: Integrated Approach for Development of Slums and Low Income Communities in Urban Areas of Bangladesh
Case Study 1: Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) Scenario in Urban Areas of Bangladesh
Case Study 2: Identifying the Challenges and Vulnerabilities in Selected Slums and Low Income Communities in Dhaka and Assessing the Need for an Integrated Slum Development Approach