ID :
303683
Mon, 10/21/2013 - 12:00
Auther :

AF and UB city municipality present results of joint community mapping initiative

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Ulaanbaatar Mayor’s Office and the Asia Foundation (AF) last Friday presented the results and analysis of their joint community mapping initiative in the ger (national dwelling) areas to various officials from the City Municipality. In May 2012, the Foundation started implementation of the Urban Services Project (USP) funded through its Strategic Partnership with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Launched as a pilot project in 11 khoroos (smallest administrative unit in UB) of the UB ger districts, the AF and the City Municipality initiated community mapping in these areas as part of an effort to introduce an inclusive approach to urban governance and improve urban services available to residents. The results provided local residents, khoroo, district, and city officials with a clear understanding on the process, application, and importance of community mapping. Recognizing the potential of community mapping, the Capital City Governor and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar city, Mr. E. Bat-Uul requested that the Mayor’s Office, with the AF’s support, scale up community mapping to all 87 khoroos in the ger districts. In accordance with the Mayor’s Resolution and through a joint effort by the Mayor’s Office, the City Investment Agency and the AF, the process of community mapping of 87 khoroos has been completed. Community mapping has important implications for identifying the accessibility and coverage of public services in the ger areas. This spatial analysis accurately maps the availability and accessibility (based on population size) of indicators such as water kiosks, kindergartens, schools, and health centers at khoroo and district level. It also serves as an important tool to facilitate community discussion on improving ger area services and increase participation of local residents and community leaders in the decision-making process. Community mapping also serves as a mechanism for creating evidence-based investment decisions by prioritizing needs in terms of service delivery to the ger area residents. The results and analysis of the ger area community mapping will be employed as a decision-making tool in the discussions on the Ulaanbaatar city 5-year investment plan and the 2014 budget deliberation. The AF will support the city in making community mapping a sustainable tool, including through the development of a website. This online resource will be designed with the goal of making community maps available for local and regional city municipality offices, and enable UB citizens to print and comment on maps. The Foundation will continue its support to the city management to use the maps as a means to improve strategic planning and policy making to foster inclusive urban governance.

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