Preparing the Third GMS Corridor Towns Development Project
This brochure looks at plans for the Third Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Corridor Towns Development Project, to improve urban services in three towns in southern Myanmar.
Urban Development
The Greater Mekong Subregion is working to improve the quality of life and economic vibrancy of its cities and towns by using global best practices in urban development.
The Urban Development Working Group oversees urban development and economic zones as new areas of cooperation in the subregion.
By 2050, the Greater Mekong Subregion is expected to be at least 50% urbanized. This will bring vast changes to the economies of the subregion. What was once a primarily agricultural area is transforming into a place where cities and towns are the main drivers of economic growth. Careful planning is needed to balance urban growth with environmental protection and economic equity so that healthy cities can be enjoyed by all residents.
The Greater Mekong Subregion is working to improve the quality of life and economic vibrancy of its cities through the development of national strategies and projects that incorporate global best practices into the subregion’s urban development. This work has included the first and second Corridor Towns Development Project, which is developing competitive and environmentally friendly cities along vital economic arteries in the subregion. Cross-border economic zones are also being developed.
The COVID-19 pandemic inevitably will leave its mark on cities, physically and socially, echoing for generations to come. This is already evident in terms of urban life. The GMS Program will focus on these effects with measures to respond to current and future crises. The GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) will encourage a holistic approach to the future planning of cities so that they are green, smart, competitive, resilient, safe, and inclusive. It will also promote linkages between cities to develop new urban clusters and maximize economies of agglomeration, develop cities in border areas, create linkages with special economic and industrial zones, and improve waste management and pollution in cities located close to GMS rivers and seas. GMS-2030 was endorsed and adopted at the 7th GMS Summit of Leaders in September 2021. It aims to provide a new setting for the development of this subregion for the next decade.
Related
• Urban Development in the Greater Mekong Subregion
• Greater Mekong Subregion Urban Development Strategic Framework
• Second Greater Mekong Subregion Corridor Towns Development Project
• Urban Development Working Group
Urban Development
Focal Persons at the Asian Development Bank
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Alan Baird
Water and Urban Development Sector Office Sectors Group -
Hinako Maruyama
Water and Urban Development Sector Office Sectors Group
Other Concerned Staff & Consultants
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Antonio Ressano
Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit
Southeast Asia Department -
Alma Canarejo
Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit
Southeast Asia Department/GMS Secretariat
Send inquiries to GMS Secretariat.
4th Meeting of the GMS Urban Development Task Force
The Fourth Meeting of the GMS Urban Development Task Force was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 18–19 August 2015.
ADB Loan to Enhance Urban Services in Towns Along GMS Economic Corridor
HA NOI, VIET NAM (3 December 2015) – The Asian Development Bank has approved a $100 million loan to support government efforts to boost urban and water services in Bac Giang, Mong Cai and Sa Pa, three towns located along the North-South Economic Corridor within the Greater Mekong Subregion.
ADB Loan to Boost Urban Services in Towns Along GMS Economic Corridor
VIENTIANE, LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (16 November 2015) – The Asian Development Bank has approved a $37 million loan, with an additional $10 million in cofinancing, to support government efforts to improve urban services in Houayxay and Luang Namtha, two towns located along a Greater Mekong Subregion main economic corridor.
Myanmar City Goes Green with Modern Urban Services
Modern water supply, wastewater treatment, and garbage collection services are paving the way for the transformation of the city of Mandalay in upper Myanmar into a prosperous, green urban center.
ADB and NEDA are exploring joint development of corridor towns in Myanmar. Photo: ADB.
ADB, NEDA Sign Partnership For Joint Cooperation Programs
BANGKOK, THAILAND (15 October 2017) – The Asian Development Bank and the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency, a Thai development agency, have signed a partnership arrangement to carry out joint cooperation programs at national and regional levels.
Greater Mekong Subregion Urban Development Strategic Framework 2015–2022
The Greater Mekong Subregion Urban Development Strategic Framework, 2012–2022, sets out a broad framework to encourage and facilitate a coordinated approach to the development of urban areas throughout the GMS.
The GMS ministers called for a Transport and Trade Facilitation Action Program to enhance the cross-border flow of goods and people, and for a coordinated approach to developing urban areas throughout the region. A vendor selling different products in a market in Thailand. Photo: ADB.
Ministers Endorse Plans to Develop New Special Economic Zones in Mekong
KUNMING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (11 June 2015) – Government ministers and senior officials attending the Greater Mekong Subregion Seventh Economic Corridors Forum today agreed on measures to promote the development of economic corridors, facilitate cross-border transport and trade, and enhance cooperation and private sector participation.
GMS Economic Corridors Forum Looks to Enhance Cross-Border Trade
KUNMING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (10 June 2015) – Ministers and senior officials from the six Greater Mekong Subregion countries and the Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank will convene tomorrow at the 7th GMS Economic Corridors Forum to discuss how to further develop economic corridors, facilitate cross-border transport and trade, and enhance cooperation and private sector participation – including the development of Special Economic Zones.
3rd Meeting of the GMS Task Force on Urban Development
The Third Meeting of the GMS Task Force on Urban Development in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) from 11–12 September 2014 was held to (i) review the draft GMS Urban Development Strategy1 and Implementation Plan; (ii) discuss the GMS Regional Investment Framework (RIF) Implementation Plan, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, and the results of the GMS Sixth Economic Corridors Forum (ECF-6) in Ha Noi, Viet Nam (8 August 2014) on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Cross Border Economic Zones (CBEZs); and (iii) agree on the way forward of the GMS Urban Development S
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A subregional cooperation program focused on its fundamental strengths of community, connectivity, and competitiveness while embracing the core principles of environmental sustainability and resilience, internal and external integration, and inclusivity, for building a GMS community with a bright shared future
Greater Mekong Subregion Secretariat
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Address: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4444 Fax: +63 2 8636 2226
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