Project Identification Form (PIF)
Project Type:
the GEF Trust Fund
Submission Date: 12/22/2009
Indicative Calendar*Milestones / Expected Dates
mm/dd/yyyy
Work Program (for FSP)
CEO Endorsement/Approval / July 2010
Agency Approval Date / August 2010
Implementation Start / Sept. 2010
Mid-term Evaluation (if planned)
Project Closing Date / Sept. 2012
* See guidelines for definition of milestones.
part i: project IDentification
GEF Project ID[1]: -5 Project duration: 24 months
gef agency Project ID:
Country(ies): Thailand
Project Title: Sustainable Urban Transport in Chiang Mai
GEF Agency(ies):
Other Executing partner(s): Chiang Mai City Municipality (CMM), Office Of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP),and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)
GEF Focal Area (s)[2]:
GEF-4 Strategic program(s): CC-SP5-Transport (see preparation guidelines section on exactly what to write)
Name of parent program/umbrella project (if applicable):
A. Project framework
Project Objective: The main project objectives are to i) enhance technical capacity of Chiang Mai Municipality to develop and implement sustainable transport plans, and ii) establish Chiang Mai to become a best practice model of sustainable transport in order to be replicated in other medium-sized cities of the country and the region. Moreover, an effective knowledge transfer on implementing sustainable transport measures and pilot implementations are expected. Expected outcome of the project is increased role of more effective and less energy-intensive forms of urban travel comprising a comprehensive approach including an improved Bus Transit system and non-motorized transport (walking, bicycles, bicycle taxis). The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce vehicular greenhouse gas emissions in the city of Chiang Mai.Project Components
/Indicate whether Investment, TA, or STAb
/ Expected Outcomes /Expected Outputs
/Indicative GEF Financinga
/ Indicative Co-Financinga / Total ($)c =a + b
($) a
/%
/($) b
/%
1. Developing an integrated sustainable transport plan / TA / Building Chiang Mai’s institutional capacity to fully develop an integrated sustainable transport plan to promote the use of more efficient and cleaner modes of transport in the City. / An integrated sustainable transport plan for the city / 71,370 / 9 / 686,700 / 91 / 758,0702. Area improvements through improved non-motorized transport / TA and investment / Planning and design of integrated area improvement in Muang Kao Area (i.e. historical city center of Chiang Mai) with non-motorized transport, i.e. walking and cycling. This includes planning, design and pilot demonstration of pedestrianization and bicycle facilities. / Engineering design for Chiang Mai's pedestrian and cycling routes and pilot demonstration sites / 469,800 / 65 / 249,200 / 35 / 719,000
3. Improving bicycle taxi vehicle operation and service / TA and investment / Planning and design of bicycle taxis operation scheme in Chiang Mai to ensure the
effective and safe operation of bicycle taxis. / - Operation plans for rickshaw type vehicles
- Pilot demonstration at selected sites / 130,500 / 66 / 67,750 / 34 / 198,250
4. Project management / 57,960 / 44 / 74,100 / 56 / 132,060
Total project costs / A729,630 / 40 / B1,077,750 / 60 / 1,807,380
a List the $ by project components. The percentage is the share of GEF and Co-financing respectively of the total amount for the component.
b TA = Technical Assistance; STA = Scientific & Technical Analysis.
B. Indicative Co-financing for the project by source and by NAME (in parenthesis) if available, ($)
Sources of Co-financing / Type of Co-financing / ProjectProject Government Contribution / In-kind and cash / 951,800
GEF Agency(ies) / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindcashUnknown at this stage
Bilateral Aid Agency(ies) / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindcashUnknown at this stage / 125,950
Multilateral Agency(ies) / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindcashUnknown at this stage
Private Sector / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindcashUnknown at this stage
NGO / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindcashUnknown at this stage
Others / (select)GrantSoft LoanHard LoanGuaranteeIn-kindcashUnknown at this stage
Total Co-financing / B1,077,750
C. Indicative Financing Plan Summary For The Project ($)
Previous Project Preparation Amount (a)[3] / Project (b) / Totalc = a + b / Agency Fee
GEF financing / A729,630 / 729,630 / 72,963
Co-financing / B1,077,750 / 1,077,750
Total / 1,807,380 / 1,807,380 / 72,963
D. GEF Resources Requested by agency (ies), Focal Area(s) and country(ies)1
GEF Agency / Focal Area / Country Name/Global / (in $)
Project (a) / Agency Fee (b)2 / Total c=a+b
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
(select)World BankUNDPUNEPAsDBAfDBEBRDIADBFAOUNIDOIFAD / (select)BiodiversityClimate ChangeInternational WatersLand DegradationOzone Depletion SubstancesPersistent Organic Pollutants
Total GEF Resources
1 No need to provide information for this table if it is a single focal area, single country and single GEF Agency project.
2 Relates to the project and any previous project preparation funding that have been provided and for which no Agency fee has been requested from Trustee.
part ii: project JustiFication
A. State the issue, how the project seeks to address it, and the expected global environmental benefits to be delivered: Similar to other developing countries, Thailand’s urban transport pattern is characterized by rapid motorization as car ownership continues to rise with income level. Infrastructure investment which has been heavily focusing on road expansion led to the dominance of road mode in both passenger and freight transport. Non-motorized transport such as walking and cycling have also not been given sufficient attention. Urbanization often develops without sound urban planning nor integrated transport and land-use planning. Traffic congestion, inadequate public urban transport services, deteriorating pedestrians are common problems in urban transport management in big cities in Thailand. Lack of efficient, affordable and high quality public transport services severely impacts city’s livability and quality of life. Heavy reliance on motorized transport also has critical implications on the country’s sustainable development in view of energy security, environmental sustainability and global warming. Thailand relies heavily on oil imports (accounting for 70% of total energy imports) to satisfy its transport demand. The transport sector is one of the biggest consumers of energy, using about one third of the country’s final energy consumption and is the second largest contributor (26%) to energy-based CO2 emissions after electricity sector (37%).
Chiang Mai is one of the most important and fastest growing secondary cities in Thailand. The city serves as a regional economic and cultural hub in the North and ranks as the fourth largest city in terms of population. In the last ten years, Chiang Mai’s economy has grown continuously, largely driven by commercial sector and tourism industry with 5 million visitors per year. Besides tourism, Chiang Mai also plans to become regional hubs in the sub-region’s transportation, aviation, education, and medical services. As a result of rapid expansion, the city increasingly faces with problems common to large cities such as unplanned and sprawling development, destruction of the historic city, air and water pollution, traffic congestion, waste management, and environmental degradation. Land use in the city is a mixture of old town/heritage sites, commercial, residential, and administrative areas. The city has been growing mainly in the horizontal direction. This horizontal sprawling urban expansion consequently compromises the compact of the city centre. Due to unplanned urban development and lack of integrated transport and land use planning, Chiang Mai is facing with several pressing urban transport challenges including: i) road traffic congestion; ii) inadequate public transport system; iii) insufficient pedestrian way; and vi) lack of car parking space. As a result, livability and environmental sustainability of the city is at risk while the city becomes larger GHG emitter at the same time.
Sustainable urban transport will play a key role in enhancing energy security and global warming mitigation in Thailand. Sustainable urban transport development will contribute to the national level climate change management agenda as well as improving livability, quality of life and local air pollution at the local level. The project aims to improve sustainable urban transport in Chiang Mai by improving the city’s technical capacity in integrated transport and land use planning and increase the role of non-motorized transport in the city especially the old town areas. Cleaner and more efficient sustainable urban transport in Chiang Mai through well-planned transport system, modal shift and cleaner vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental sustainability of the city. Demonstrated success in Chiang Mai is expected to be replicated in other secondary cities in Thailand which are facing similar challenges.
B. Describe the consistency of the project with national/regional priorities/plans: Despite an important portion of the budget was spent on roadway infrastructure projects, severe traffic congestion especially in the urban areas still has not seen significant improvement. This has triggered the national and local governments to shift their interest to more efficient and less polluting modes of travel, such as public transit and non-motorized transport. The government has taken several initiatives to promote sustainable urban transport especially focusing on large scale investment in mass rail transit and the first pilot bus rapid transit in Bangkok. Since the beginning of 2006, amid the gasoline price crisis, the Thai national government also called for regional municipalities to improve the cycling conditions in their jurisdiction, so that bicycles will become a good alternative mode of travel for citizens. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) of the Ministry of Transport (MOT), in particular the Regional Transport and Traffic Systems Promotion Division (which is a partner to this proposal), has worked with 54 Thai cities to produce transport master plans and undertake information dissemination, raise funds, and provide technical assistance for implementation. Several master plans developed jointly between OTP and these cities highlighted that lack of adequate public transport, poor facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and deteriorating urban environments due to rapidly growing number of vehicles are key challenges to sustainable urban transport in several cities. OTP is therefore a key partner in this GEF application to plan and implement improved conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in Thai cities. Based on the findings from various meetings/seminars regarding the transport and traffic policies and master plan in recent years, the MOT formulated five strategic plans which would serve as guidelines for transport planning and which are in accordance to this proposal.
C. Describe the consistency of the project with gef strategies and strategic programs: The GEF-financed activities would contribute to the first Climate Change Strategic Objective in Mitigation, to facilitate market transformation for sustainable mobility in urban areas leading to reduced GHG emissions. The project will increase the use of sustainable transport modes such as public transport, walking, bicycles and bicycle taxis (rickshaws / samloos). The project is planned to have a long-term impact, where GEF will provide the initial cost of the project, and further funding with other sources from the national/local government or from international sources (where GEF Implementing agencies may play a significant role) will be sought. This long term commitment is also clear when the project is projecting mode shifts as a result of the project activities, not just in the project duration itself.
D. justify the type of financing support provided with the gef resources: The project budget is divided into four components including TAs, investment in pilot demonstrations and project management. The project will be co-financed by three main sources. The first co-financier of the project is The Division of Regional Transport and Traffic Systems Promotion (DRTTSP), a unit in the Office of Transport and Traffic Planning and Policy (OTP), which has already developed a lengthy study on Bus Rapid Transit implementation for Chiang Mai. The second funding source is the Chiang Mai Municipality, which is willing to contribute in-kind resources. The third source, which will be giving its technical expertise and staff time to the project (as well as other in-kind supports), is the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), through its SUTP project currently based in Bangkok. GEF resources will be used for TA, pilot project investment for pedestrian improvement, bicycle facilities, bicycle taxi operations, project management and evaluation.
E. Outline the Coordination with other related initiatives: Chiang Mai as the highest profile Thai city next to Bangkok has strong demonstration potential. Official documents such as the Traffic and Transport Master Plan for Chiang Mai City (Chiang Mai University for OCMLT, 2002), numerous studies (e.g. JICA 2002) and other ongoing initiatives all attest to the high level of importance given to public transport improvements, and increasing the role of non-motorized transport in urban areas. Meetings with the Mayor and leading municipal officials, as well as with civil society organizations and academics, confirmed a high level of political interest in planning and implementing improvements in the walking and cycling environment. Interest in BRT has also emerged. In January 2006, OTP hired Chiang Mai University to evaluate the feasibility and design a BRT system for the city, and the study was completed recently. Chiang Mai Municipality has also initiated a few sustainable transport and social improvement initiatives in the past few years. For example, car-free streets on weekends where motorized vehicle traffic are banned from entering key streets during weekends, and streets are open for commercial and social activities. “Walking streets” have become a popular weekend event that attracts both locals and tourists. In addition, Chiang Mai Municipality joined force with various international agencies such as Chiang Mai Air Quality Initiative and GTZ Sustainable Urban Transport Project (SUTP) assistance. Most recently, Thailand has submitted the Investment Plan for Clean Technology Fund. One of the key areas under the CTF proposal is urban transport improvement in Bangkok through investment in Bus Rapid Transit. This demonstrates the importance of sustainable urban transport in contributing to nation-wide GHG emissions reduction effort. This support to Chiang Mai is closely aligned with the national strategic direction and will contribute significantly to the agenda. Successful development of BRT in Bangkok is expected to be shared with other secondary cities in Thailand. This project will provide technical basis for such replication in the future.