Innovative Approaches to Energy Access for the Urban Poor : Summaries of Best Practices from Case Studies in Four Countries
Rapid urban growth in developing countries has created an unprecedented demand for energy services. Cities face the enormous challenge of improving energy access to urban communities in order to improve education, health, and basic socioeconomic co...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2017
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/176391468148154562/Innovative-approaches-to-energy-access-for-the-urban-poor-summaries-of-best-practices-from-case-studies-in-four-countries http://hdl.handle.net/10986/26510 |
| Summary: | Rapid urban growth in developing
countries has created an unprecedented demand for energy
services. Cities face the enormous challenge of improving
energy access to urban communities in order to improve
education, health, and basic socioeconomic conditions. South
Asia and Sub- Saharan Africa have the fastest growing urban
populations in the world projected to grow by 50 percent by
2025. This will put tremendous pressure on cities in these
regions as they work to provide basic services, including
energy services, to underserved areas. While there is
widespread understanding of the critical role energy access
plays in sustainable development, there is still a lack of
policies targeted at growing urban poor populations. The
objective of these case studies is to share lessons learned
in successful energy access initiatives and to provide a
point of reference for energy practitioners. The case
studies identify barriers to energy access that are unique
to the urban poor, innovative approaches to finding
solutions, and the roles of communities, service providers,
and governments in successfully providing access to legal
modern energy services. Eight case studies focused on
electrification and clean fuels were selected from India,
Bangladesh, Colombia, and Brazil all countries that have had
varying success in providing access to modern energy
services for slum dwellers. The cases selected highlight
several common barriers facing the urban poor in achieving
access to safer, cleaner, and legal sources of energy. They
also outline the innovative approaches adopted by all
stakeholders. This study demonstrates several common
barriers and highlights diverse ways to overcome them. It
shows that success depends on several enabling factors
working together, such as stakeholder collaboration and
community empowerment. Sustainable initiatives that have the
potential to be replicated in other urban poor communities
depend on the continued commitment of stakeholders, and the
presence of strong financial and institutional mechanisms. |
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