Publication: Innovations for Sustainable Infrastructure – Experience from Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP)
Date
2010-04
ISSN
Published
2010-04
Author(s)
Post, David
Ishihara, Satoshi
Abstract
Over the past decade plus, Community
Driven Development (CDD) has proven to be an effective
strategy for promoting the development of small-scale
infrastructure. Indeed, by involving community members in
decision-making processes and project implementation, the
CDD approach increases community ownership of investments
projects and enhances their sustainability. However, despite
its successes in the realm of small scale infrastructure,
CDD's track record in promoting sustainability for more
complex infrastructure projects (such as roads and water
supply systems) is mixed at best and the connection between
community ownership and sustainable infrastructure is not
well established for larger scale projects. In order to
ensure that the 'triple bottom line' of
sustainable infrastructure is met in the context of CDD
operations, infrastructure investments need to be selected
and implemented using an integrated approach that combines
sound economics, solid engineering and attention to social
dynamics and environmental sustainability. By successfully
incorporating a variety of innovations, the Azerbaijan Rural
Investment Project (AZRIP) demonstrates how adopting a
comprehensive approach, including a focus on life-cycle
costs, private sector participation, and participatory
processes, is critical for achieving sustainable
infrastructure investments. As such, AZRIP serves as a good
example of how close engagement with communities and
attention to sustainability in project design and
implementation can lead to positive development outcomes and
the achievement of the 'triple bottom line'.
Citation
“Post, David; Ishihara, Satoshi. 2010. Innovations for Sustainable Infrastructure – Experience from Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP). Social Development Notes; No. 126. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/08906c3b-a8a4-5c9a-8840-71b69f8ee820 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”