Scientific Priority
Programme on Environment 
Project Group:
Urban Environmental Management
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In 2010, close to half of the world’s population will live in cities - a fact that
will require co-#146;s population will live in cities - a fact that
will require co-operation among many actors in order to ensure co-ordinated management of
urban areas. In this context, the research carried out by the Project Group since 1994 has
provided significant support to urban actors:
- It ensures that environmental concerns remain a priority of urban management in
countries of the South
- It contributes to informed decision-making that is based on recent information and
is capable of responding to current economic and social challenges
- It helps to replace technical models of decision-making with global and
multidisciplinary approaches to urban development
- It supports integration of strategies developed by men and women in poor
neighbourhoods into urban planning
- It fosters mediation and collaboration between different interest groups
The Project Group ”Urban environmental Management” consists of six interdisciplinary scientific teams from partner countries in the South and from Switzerland. They all focus their research on the fundamentals of environment management in developing cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The six projects pursue common objectives in promoting and supporting:
- coherent theoretical approaches, research methodologies and practices,
- co-operation between scientific institutions and public and private organisations
concerned with td private organisations
concerned with the urban environment,
- communication and exchange of knowledge generated in each project,
- definition of instruments for application of research findings, in collaboration
with and for the benefit of those affected by the projects,
- taking collective advantage of the contacts and institutional networks already
created by each project,
- development of an information network of Swiss and international researchers
involved in urban research to support environmental management in developing countries,
- interface between applied research and urban activities.
Abstract
Goal of the project, significance for the partner country from the Third World,
accomodation of the project to the research policies of the Third World partner country.
Goals of the project:
- Development of an urban environmental awareness process in the field of urban
rehabilitation projects, based on the implication of all participants, on a South-to-South
network, and on the training of local agents and students.
- Study of the management of the urban environment in intermetudy of the management of the urban environment in intermediate Southern cities:
- Mingora, in the north of Pakistan, the principal area of study,
- Montero, in Bolivia, and Beira, in Mozambique, two complementary areas of
study.
Significance for the third world partner country:
- Decentralization, a reminder of the role of small and intemediate cities (which shelter
two thirds of theworld's urban population) and strengthening of the urban network.
Accomodation of the project to research policies of the third world partner:
- Reinforcement of a particulary weak research sector in the Southern countries.
For further information contact:
Mr. Cyrus Mechkat, Institut universitaire d'études du
développement IUED, 24, PO Box 136, CH-1211 Geneva 21
Tel: +41 22 906 59 40; Fax: +41 22 347 25 89
e-mail: mechkat@uni2a.unige.ch
Coordinator in Pakistan: Mr. Shaukat Sharar, Environmental
Protection Society EP, 2nd Floor Bunair Plaza, Gul Kada, PAK - Swat, Pakistan
Tel: +92 936 59 29; Fax: +92 936 72 03
e-mail: sanegg@paknet1.ptc.pk
Abstract
The research project proposes to analyze the eperiencies in solid waste management, and
more specifically the recycling organic materials, in for african cities through surveys,
interviews and practical test. In the first phase, surveys have been carried out in four
research sites: Ouagdougou (Burkina Faso), Cotonou (Bénin), Bamako (Mali) and Abidjan
(Ivory Coast), in order to understand better the behavior and the interest of the differnt
stakeholders (families, private and public sturctures of waste collectors,
administrations, etc.) in the solid waste management. In the second phase the research has
focused on the two first cities where composting units are operating. This research aims
at the elaboration of indicatiors and operational instructions in order to adapt the
recycling process of this organic fraction to the technical, sanitary, climatic,
socio-economic, organizational and urban conditions of the african cities. The research
identifies the possible institutions which can organize composting units, the potential
clients and gives indications about the mangement of the interfaces between collection and
composting, private and public sectors. The research result will be presented in two
different forms: a scientifical rd in two
different forms: a scientifical report and a publication adressed to the decion takers of
the municipalities, the professionals, the aid organisations and to reponsables of
associations.
Résumé
Ce projet de recherche sur la valorisation des déchets organiques se déroule dans quatre
villes de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, à savoir Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Cotonou (Bénin),
Bamako (Mali) et Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). A l'aide d'enquêtes et d'interviews, la
recherche se propose d'inventorier et de comprendre les expériences actuelles de gestion
des déchets solides. Une attention particulière est donnée au recyclage de la fraction
organique présente dans ces déchets. La recherche vise à comprendre le comportement et
les intérêts des différents acteurs concernés par la gestion des déchets (ménages,
structures privées et publiques de précollecte et de collecte, administration, etc.te, administration, etc.)
Dans une seconde phase, des essais de compostage décentralisé ont été mis en oeuvre
dans les villes de Ouagadougou et Cotonou. L'objectif de ces essais est d'élaborer des
incateurs et des directives opérationnelles pour adapter la mise en oeuvre du compostage
aux conditions techniques, sanitaires, climatiques, socio-économiques, organisationnelles
et urbanistiques.
Enfin, cette recherche identifie les acteurs susceptibles de se lancer dans le compostage
et les clients potentiels du compost et esquissera des recommandations pour gérer au
mieux les interfaces collecte-compostage et privé-public. Les résultats seront
présenté sous deux formes: un rapport scientifique et une publication adressée aux
décideurs, professionnels, les organisations d'aide et le responsables d'association.
For further information contact:
Mme. Eveline Waas, Association Alter Ego, PO Box 151 CH-1000
Lausanne 19
Tel: +41 21 616 66 66; Fax: +41 21 616 41 31
e-mail: urbaplan@planet.ch
Coordinator in Benin: Mr. Jean-Pierre Mbassi Elong, PDM, BP 01-34445, RPB - Cotonou, Benin
Abstract
The project investigates the filtering capacity of wetland-ecotones and the resource use
practices and management arrangements of wetland users with regard to different stages of
urbanization.
The aim of the study is to define options wich will allow to integrate sustainably managed
wetlands into urbanand rural water and sanitation planning. This will protect wetlands and
contribute to the improvement of the inshore water quality.
Significance for the partner country:
The project contributes to protect wetlands as habitants rich in biodiversity and as
resource base mainly for poor people and it contributes to an adequate use of natural
wetland-ecotones in wastemaster treatment schemes and thus helps to improve the inshore
water quality. The project improves the capacity of the Fisheries Research Institute in
its task to monitor the national water resources through improvement of its infrastructure
and through training of its staff (short term training of laboratory technicians, M.A.,
M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees of research personel). The project helps to enforce the
environmental policies of Jinja town through the collaboration of the Environmental
department of the Jinja Municipal Council with the water quality laboratory set up at the
Fisheries Research Institute.
AccoFisheries Research Institute.
Accomodation of the project to the research policies of the Partner country:
The project is part of the National Wetlands Management Programme which itself follows the
guidelines of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP).
For further information contact:
Dr. Markus Wolf, Institute of Plant Biology, University of
Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Zurich
Tel: +41 1 385 42 11; Fax: +41 1 385 42 04, e-mail: m.wolf@botinst.unizh.ch
Coordinator in Uganda: PhD Frederick W. B. Bugenyi, Fisheries
Research Institute FIRI, PO Box 343, EAU - Jinja, Uganda
Tel: +256 432 20 71; Fax: +256 432 01 92
Vietnam is one of the poorest countries of the world. Its environment is now greatly
deteriorated as a consequence of the war and by the overexploitation of the natural
resources. Its recent economic evolution identifies this nation as one of the new poles of
production in Southeastern Asia. This fast growth is mainly concentrated in the urban
areas and has a negative imparated in the urban
areas and has a negative impact on the surroundings for the populations. This situation is
particularely serious in Hô Chi Minh City, largest city where the environment is very
contaminated.
The research, which has been initiated in January 1994 through a collaboration between the
EPF of Lausanne and the Environmental Committee of Hô Chi Minh City (ENCO), has two
objectives: a global analysis of the major trends characterizing the process of
metropolization in the developing countries and its impact on the natural resources; a
local diagnosis focused on the relations between the increase of the precarious
habitat and the management of urban water in Hô Chi Minh City.
These scientifical studies in Vietnam are realized by an international and
interdisciplinary team involving environmentalists, hydrologists, chemists, geographers,
sociologists and economists. The purpose is to identify the links between the social and
economic dynamics of the poorest neighbourhoods and the distinct sources and vectors of
pollution. The methodology is based on enquiries with representative groups of dwellers,
interviews with the administrative authorities of the sector, analyses of water samplings
to evaluate their chemical and biological contents, examination of drinking and used water
networks.
The research will bring up a series of recommendations to encourage new partnerships
between dwellers, public authorities and support trs, public authorities and support teams (scientifical, NGO, etc.). The
results will constitute the bases of a long term collaboration in action-research and
training for young Vietnamese researchers in HCMC.
More information of the research on the Web:
http://dawww.epfl.ch/irec/
http://dawww.epfl.ch/bio/bolay
More projects in training and in research in Latinamerica
For further information contact:
Prof. Michel Bassand et Dr Jean-Claude Bolay,Coordination of
the Research Project, IREC-DA-EPFL, CP 555, CH - 1001
Lausanne
Tél.: +41 21 693 62 13; Fax: +41 21 693 38 40,
e-mail: Jean-Claude.Bolay@epfl.ch
Coordinator in Vietnam: PhD Thi Lang Bui & Prof. Thai Thi
Ngoc Du,
Environment Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, 79, Truong Dinh Q.1, VN- Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +848 829 70 01; Fax: +848 825 03 76
e-mail: rungsac@hcmc.netnam.vn
Background
Having identified and capitalised community based initiatives for the environment in a
first project phase (1994 to 1996), the research currently studies the interactions
between community initiatives and public services with the aim to improve the living
conditions for urban residents in N'Djaména (Chad).
Main research topics
Interactions between popular initiatives and institutional actors (municipality, NGOs,
etc.) in the field of:
- Management of water and solid waste
- Street children
- Promotion of impregnated bednets
Objectives Project outputs Coordinator in C
Coordinator in Chad: Dr. Yémadji N'Diekhor, Institut Tropical
Suisse BASE, PO Box 972, N'Djaména, Chad Aim of the Project In the second phase of the project (1996-99) intervention strategies are the main area
of investigation. Summary of the Results Sociological studies revealed that the farmers have a broad knowledge on their activity
as well as its possible health impacts. On the same time it was seen that the legal
aspects of land-property and use are of greater concern for the farmers than health
impacts. These results in relation with the findings of the biomedical findings will be
used in a participatory action research approacha participatory action research approach with the farmers community. Translation of the Results into Practice For further information contact: For more information on the Project000">For more information on the Project
Group IREC-DA/EPFL Coordination
Offer evidence of the determinant role played by the occupants of the urban setting in the
management of environmental factors, and evidence of the capacity for community
mobilisation and the mechanisms by which it takes place.
Support and follow-up of interventions decided and led by community groups.
Evaluation of social and epidemiological effects of the interventions on the health of the
population
Study of the relationship between individuals, groups and institutions in the urban
context in general and its environmental aspects in particular. Analysis of the lived
experiences of all partners involved, and development on this basis of instruments to
facilitate the communication between the different partners. A group of actors and
researchers is established to pursue the above mentioned objectives. Project facilitators
are documenting, assessing and following the process.
For further information contact:
Nicolaus Lorenz & Kaspar Wyss, Swiss Tropical Institute,
Socinstr.57, 4002 Basel
Tel: +41 61 284 82 29, Fax: +41 61 271 86 54
e-mail: lorenz@ubaclu.unibas.ch & wyssk@ubaclu.unibas.ch
Tel: +235 52 30 74; Fax: +235 52 37 22
e-mail: cssiitsndj@msn.com
Health impact and management of wastewater
use in small-scale agriculture in urban Sahelian settings;
risks and potential intervention strategies
A study in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Nouakchott (Mauritania)
In the first phase of the project (1994-95) the project aimed to establish the health
impact on the farmers by following and evaluating the potential risks associated with the
farming activities. Therefore, the study on the environmental contamination (water,
plants, soil), behavioural factors of the population involved in the farming activities
(farmers, intermediate sellers, market sellers, consumers) and their perception on farming
activities and its health implications were under investigation.
The specific objectives are:
1. To initiate and evaluate participatory action research in the communities concerned in
order to reduce the health riunities concerned in
order to reduce the health risk associated with the urban farming.
2. To model the health impact of the wastewater re-use on the town level and to develop in
collaboration with the town administration intervention strategies on the town level.
3. To investigate the economic importance of the urban farming activities for the
households of the farmers.
The environmental investigation showed that a high fecal contamination of the irrigation
water, the soil and the vegetables is present. These potential health risks are related
with the infection and health status (diarrhoea) to the urban farmers. The high
contamination of the vegetables are not associated with disease status of the consumer or
other actors of the food chain. Behavioural studies could show that there are specific
farming practices of the farmers which are related with the transmission of the infections
and which could be prevented easily, for example the construction and the use of the
frequently used dug-out wells.
Based on the results of the previous environmental, epidemiological and sociological
studies two line of intervention have been started and will be evaluated. Firstly,
intervention studies of the improvements of the structure of the dug-out wells and,
secondly, the participatory action research approach with the farmers community. In
addition, the geographical data have been digitalized and are now available for modelling
purposes on the a GIS data system.
Prof. Marcel Tanner (Principal Investigator), Swiss Tropical
Institute, Dept. Public Health & Epidemiology, 4057 Basel
Tel: +41 61 284 82 83; Fax: +41 61 271 79 51; e-mail: tannerml@msn.com
Dr. Guéladio Cissé (Principal Co-investigator, Burkina Faso and
Mauritania): Ecole Inter-Etats d'Ingénieurs de l'Equipement Rural, 03 P.O.Box
7023, Ouagadougou / Burkina Faso
Tel: +226 30 71 16; Fax: +226 31 27 24; e-mail: cisse.g@fasonet.bf
Urban Environmental Management
Jean-Claude Bolay & Yves Pedrazzini