An evaluation of the World Bank’s preparedness to meet future urban transport challenges

Abstract

This paper describes how, during 2006 an evaluation was undertaken by the World Bank Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the effectiveness of the Bank’s global support to the transport sector during the last ten years. This paper focuses on the results of the urban transport component of the study. Troubling issues include environmental damage, energy efficiency, and implications for climate change, traffic congestion, and transport safety, as well as questions relating to affordability and the logistical challenges of effective multimodal transportation. The World Bank has made significant progress in encouraging private sector contracting, especially of maintenance activities, but more modest success with institution building and ensuring infrastructure funding sustainability. However, the time has come to reassess priorities as a new more urban related agenda unfolds.