Terms of Reference

Urbanization in ASEAN and Smart City Development

Urbanization in ASEAN is increasing at an overwhelming pace, at a rate five times thatof the
rest of the world, and by 2030, the urban population in the region is projected to increase
from about 270 million to 373 million people. While urbanization is a crucial driver of
economic growth, well-managed urban areas also reduce poverty and enhance security, by
offering expanded employment prospects and rising wages as well as services provided to
more people at lower unit costs. However, urbanization also poses major challenges related
to inclusiveness, environmental pollution, health, economic efficiency and cultural heritage.
These challenges can be amplified by rapid and haphazard urbanization, which is occurring
in many ASEAN countries.

To better address these challenges and in order to achieve sustainable urbanization,

ASEAN formulated in 2018 its ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy (ASUS). According
to the ASUS, the intense and rapid urbanization in ASEAN can be described through the
following eight trends: i) urbanization is rising (particularly in middleweight cities); ii) cities are
becoming increasingly independent; iii) economic growth is neither inclusive nor equally
distributed; iv) urban sprawl is creating concerns for congestion, economic efficiency, and
cultural heritage; v) the resource footprint of cities is expanding; vi) increasing emphasis is
placed on maintaining rule of law, including in relation to new threats such as cyber-security;
and vii) non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent amongst urban
populations.

With this understanding, urban planners and technology experts are promoting the concept
of smart cities. A commonly used working definition of a “smart city” is a city that makes
efficient and effective use of data, technologies and available resources to improve core
functions of city planning, management and efficient service delivery, to engage more
effectively with citizens and the private sector, and to strengthen inclusion and
accountability.

ASEAN-Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund

The ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund (AASCTF) was established in April 2019
between Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Australia, through its
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Unless decided otherwise by ADB and
DFAT, the fund will close on 30 June 2024.

The envisioned impact of the project is aligned with ADB’s Strategy 2030 which includes an
operational focus on building livable cities that are green, competitive, inclusive, and
resilient. The fund will therefore closely support the implementation of ADB’s Operational
Plan for Livable Cities and its lending program in Southeast Asia. The expected outcome of
the project is that through the adoption and adaptation of digital solutions, systems and
governance in participating ASEAN cities are improved. To deliver these results project will
support capacity development, technical assistance and innovative digital projects (through
investment grants) in selected cities in ASEAN. The project will also deliver regional
knowledge sharing activities to strengthen smart and sustainable urbanization practices
across the region.
Indicative Program of Activities

To meet the objectives of the project, a work program will need to be outlined which includes
a blend of capacity development and knowledge sharing, proof of concept through pilot
testing, and design, preparation and implementation of investment projects.

Capacity Development and Knowledge Sharing. A range of cities from ASEAN countries
will be selected to participate in regional capacity development and knowledge sharing
events. Participating cities will share experiences and expertise to improve planning, service
delivery and financial management to address urbanization challenges. These events will
also involve national governments as these are key stakeholders in city development. The
project will look to engage with public and private sector organizations from Australia to
introduce their expertise in digital solutions for smart city planning and governance. The
project will explore opportunities to collaborate on these activities with like-minded partners
such as Japan, United States, Korea and Singapore. Furthermore, these activities will also
allow for the project to undertake city-scoping and identify opportunities for subsequent
initiatives.

Proof of Concept. The project activities will also involve piloting small scale interventions
which could then be showcased and replicated in other cities in ASEAN. A proof of concept
process will allow the necessary evidence gathering of the technical, financial and
institutional viability of selected digital solutions. Thus, an indicative $2.7 million from the
project will be set aside for procuring goods and equipment to undertake these small pilots.

Processing of Investment Projects. The project is expected to provide support for

consulting services for feasibility, design and preparation of investments projects.
Opportunities for these grant projects will eventually come not only from ADB’s own lending
program in the urban and water sectors in ASEAN countries but also from opportunities
arising from activities on capacity building and knowledge sharing. In the case of the latter,
these larger scale projects will also then be added to ADB’s lending program. These
investment projects might thus be designed as stand-alone grants or as components from an
integrated loan project.

Implementation of Investment Projects. The project is also expected to provide support

for consulting services for administration and implementation of investments projects. The
need for this type of support will arise once investment projects are approved and thus will
only be required at a later stage during the implementation of the project.

City Twinning. Under the project, strong emphasis will be given to develop twinning
programs between cities. These could be among ASCN members but also with cities from
Southeast Asia outside the network, and also from outside the region These twinning
arrangements will go beyond institutional and training activities and will include the piloting of
digital technology solutions and their eventual full-scale implementation.

ASEAN Smart Cities Initiative

To implement the activities under the project, ADB has recruited Ramboll Danmark A/S.
Ramboll will be responsible to SEUW and will have a core team with permanent base at
ADB HQ, close to SEUW offices to ensure integration of consultant activities into its
workplan. Offices at project/activity locations will be established when required, either at the
firm’s own premises, counterpart premises, ADB resident mission, or rental offices,
depending on project/activity location and availability.
In addition to the core team, Ramboll will also mobilize non-core team members to be for
sub-teams mobilized to carry out the task orders in the selected cities. This will be done on
task order basis and paid on clearly defined deliverables.

It is moreover national experts will be recruited, either on individual basis of through national
firms, on a full time basis to support the selected project cities. The experts will have to
demonstrate sound technical knowledge of urban development issues, from the country
context, and also of urban planning in the smart city context.

The national city focal point should be a graduate in urban and regional planning,
architecture, urban design, or similar discipline with at least 10 years relevant experience,
including urban design of the public realm. He/she should have good communication skills,
be familiar with participatory approaches to project design and implementation and be able
to assist in the capacity building and training program. He/she should be familiar with
international development partners and their policies and practices.

He/she will assist and be responsible to the Team Leader for carrying out the
following principle tasks in association with the other team members (core team
members and sub-teams):

1. Review the existing policies, plans and proposals affecting the subproject
areas and surroundings;

2. Examine development controls within town planning practice to establish

whether they are sufficiently robust of appropriately applied.

3. Prepare strategies based on understanding of the larger context of

landscape, transportation, socioeconomic and environmental issues;

4. Support in the preparation of any framework or urban concept plans

necessary for the preparation and justification of sub projects, including
Economic Development and Social Development Frameworks and a Land
Use Planning Strategy;

5. Specifying a supporting programme of investment in integrated urban

development;

6. Coordinating the preparation of policies and proposals specific to the

needs of the cities;

7. Support the core team/ sub-teams and ADB/SEUW for the preparation and
finalization of city specific activities concepts and proposals;

8. Facilitate in conducting extensive consultation with local residents and

business people of subproject area and, incorporating their opinions into
the project design plans as appropriate;

9. Support the core team and the sub-team in preparing detailed plans and
proposals for the proposed interventions (capacity building/ knowledge
sharing, proof of concept, peer-to-peer learning, city twinning, and,
preparation and implementation of investment projects
 10.Ensure the design and implementation of the subprojects are sustainable,
and follow ADB social and environmental standards and guidelines, and
that gender aspects are incorporated in an inclusive and transformative
manner

11.Develop and deliver relevant practitioner (on the job) training inputs in
consultation with the core team and other relevant non-core experts on
the sub-teams

12.Any other responsibilities assigned by the Team Leader.

The position will be full time for 24 month, with possibility of extension. The
person will be posted in the selected city on a full time basis, however,
depending on the country context (level of decentralization) and need of project
the work can be carried out from central level.