The Philippines is a highly urbanized nation. About half the population lives in cities. The government has prioritized the development of urban economies in the country while at the same time improving environmental sustainability and making pro-poor investments. This provides an opportunity for other developing countries in Asia to learn from the experiences of policy makers in the Philippines. This publication provides a framework and toolkit for conducting rapid urban sustainability assessments at both national and regional levels. This includes developing strategic policy options and identifying targeted investments in the urban sector.

The goal of the International Finance Corporation is to promote sustainable development through private sector investment in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and improve people's lives. IFC often supports investments that involve complex social and environmental issues, and it takes these issues very seriously. IFC recognizes that the resettlement of people from their homes or displacement of people from their livelihoods is economically and socially disruptive and may affect some people living close to the edge of survival. Where resettlement is unavoidable, each project requires its utmost attention. IFC considers resettlement an opportunity to improve peoples' lives by providing sustainable benefits and improved means of livelihood to people affected by IFC-financed projects. This handbook outlines methods and practices for the preparation of successful resettlement action plans conforming to IFC's policy on involuntary resettlement. As a reference for project developers, it describes the issues associated with the economic and physical displacement of people and provides an appreciation of the level of effort a project will require. It is intended primarily to assist the practitioners, consultants, NGOs, and community-based organizations that design and carry out resettlement activities. The handbook may be used in conjunction with IFC's public consultation Good Practice Manual and its Community Development Guide.

The second Sustainability Report of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) offers easily accessible information on ADB’s policies, programs, and practices as they relate to the social and environmental sustainability of development in Asia and the Pacific, and on changes in this work that have occurred since ADB published its first Sustainability Report, in 2007. The report also documents ADB’s continuing efforts to minimize its corporate environmental impact, especially at its Manila headquarters. For comparability, ADB’s current Sustainability Report is structured similarly to its first. Both reports respond to the latest guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative while adapting to the particular characteristics of ADB’s work and the many different audiences interested in the information presented.

The Government of Pakistan strongly supports public–private partnership (PPP) initiatives. From 1990 to 2019, Pakistan witnessed 108 financially closed PPP projects, with a total investment of approximately $28.4 billion. About 88% of these projects are in the energy sector, attracting more than $24.7billion, followed by investments in the port sector. In early 2021, Parliament approved the amendments to the 2017 PPP Law, enacting the Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Act 2021. This further strengthens the enabling legal and regulatory framework for developing and implementing PPPs, thereby promoting private sector investment in public infrastructure and related services.

This tool kit presents an integrated approach to inclusive urban development and was prepared for ADB staff and their partners to engage in inclusive urban development programming and implementation as an integral component of ADB’s lending programs. It presents methods to gather required information on a particular context and location for inclusive urban development; to decide priorities; and to plan, design, and implement inclusive urban projects. The operational focus is provided by practical guidelines and criteria for inclusive urban development projects and is designed to stimulate innovation in the solution and approaches that define inclusive urban development projects.

Urban populations are projected to increase from 54% to 66% of the global population by 2050, with close to 90% of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. Cities and towns---a growing source of greenhouse gas emissions---will need to address challenges posed by climate change. A nature-based approach in identifying climate change vulnerabilities and developing relevant adaptation options was conducted in three towns of the Greater Mekong Subregion. Working with local governments, nongovernment organizations, women's groups, and professional associations, town-wide adaptation measures were defined by overlaying climate change projections on town plans and zoning schemes for strategic infrastructure. This publication captures valuable experience and lessons from the project.