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Enriching knowledge about development issues
AFD takes active part in strategic international discussions and, equally, in enhancing thought about development aid modalities and solutions. AFD sees this creation of knowledge as an indispensible complement to its financial and technical operations, allowing it to tailor interventions as practices, needs and situations evolve.
News
Focales n°5 | Urban Development in Vietnam: the Rise of Local Authorities
Local authorities are playing an increasingly influential role in the exponential economic growth and development of Vietnam and its cities. They have now become key actors playing pivotal roles in the delivery of most public urban services (water, sanitation, waste management, public transport, etc.).
This study provides a detailed analysis of how the Vietnamese local authorities operate and how they manage the main urban public services. It examines their roles, the limits of their powers, the institutional, financial and operational instruments underpinning their action, as well as recent and future developments.
Based on an in-depth field study, this publication makes essential reading for anyone interested in Vietnam’s urban development and who wishes to gain an insight into the issues, risks and constraints involved.
Implementing Large-Scale Energy Efficiency Programs in Existing Buildings in China
Collected papers of the conference organized by Agence Française de Développement and the Commission of Housing, Urban and Rural Development of the Hubei Province, in Wuhan (China), on May 12-13, 2009
In the context of climate change and continuously growing dependence on imported energy, the Government of China has set the ambitious objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Chinese economy by 20% between 2006 and 2010.
Although energy efficiency, especially in the fast growing building sector, appears critical to all Chinese Provincial Authorities in reaching this objective, the novelty of the subject raises many issues. How can large scale energy efficiency retrofitting programs be carried out in the short run? Which technical solutions shall be implemented? How much would they cost? Which institutional set up should be put in place? Which financing tools or mechanisms should be developed?
The papers presented during the Wuhan conference attempted to provide answers to these difficult and topical questions, which constitute some of the most burning issues for all governments aiming at reducing their greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. These papers summarize the results of a three-year research program carried out by the Commission of Housing, Urban and Rural Development of the Hubei Province and Agence Française de Développement, with the support of the French Agency for Environment and Energy Management.
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