Christopher R. Bennett

Sustainably managing natural resources and the need for construction materials in Pacific island countries: The example of South Tarawa, Kiribati

The growing demand for construction materials in South Tarawa, a remote atoll in the South Pacific, provides an example of the environmental and social challenges associated with the use of non‐renewable resources in the context of small island countries threatened by coastal erosion and climate change. In many small Pacific island countries, the availability of construction materials is limited, with the majority mined from beaches and coastal reefs in an unsustainable manner. Growing demand for construction aggregates is resulting in more widespread sand mining by communities along vulnerable sections of exposed beach and reefs. This has serious consequences for coastal erosion and impacts on reef ecosystem processes, consequences that cannot be easily managed. Construction materials are also in high demand for infrastructure projects which are financed in part with support from international development agencies and donors. This paper reviews the various challenges and risks that aggregate mining poses to reefs, fish, and the coastal health of South Tarawa and argues that the long term consequences from ad hoc beach/reef mining over large areas are likely to be far greater than the impacts associated with environmentally sustainable, organized extraction. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that are also relevant for neighbouring island countries facing similar challenges.

Guidelines for Selecting Surfacing Alternatives for Unsealed Roads

Road networks are the vital arteries of societies. The need for roads to provide safe and comfortable access and thus contribute to economic sus-tainability and environmental protection has been increasing with time. Over the years, engineers have become knowledgeable in the optimization of resources for maintaining unsealed roads. Numerous manuals and guidelines have been produced, mostly for developed countries with extensive unsealed networks. Some manuals adopt innovative construction and maintenance methods for the surface layer of unsealed roads. The World Bank has commissioned the development of guidelines for surfacing alternatives for unsealed rural roads to assist countries in making surface selections. The guidelines offer detailed discussion of the following topics: summary of current international experience based on a survey of the literature, case studies and examples, and development of a decision framework for selecting the most appropriate surfacing for given circumstances. The decision framework was developed to offer guidelines and at the same time to remain flexible enough to be applicable for most circumstances. The framework offers a methodology consisting of a three-stage process: Stage 1—evaluation of the need for upgrading on the basis of local environmental and geographic conditions (this stage also allows for overriding political or other aspects); Stage 2—selection of suitable surface types and technologies from the presented list, to result in a short list of options; and Stage 3—suggestion of economic and financial analysis techniques to rank the technically feasible options developed during Stage 2. The guidelines and issues taken into account during the Stage 2 process of deciding on surface technologies are summarized.

Rapid Response Stimulus Package for Improving Local Roads and Creating Jobs in Armenia

In late 2008, the Republic of Armenia requested World Bank assistance to help mitigate the local impact of the global financial crisis. This paper describes how the Lifeline Road Improvement Project (LRIP) in Armenia was prepared and implemented as a rapid-response stimulus package. The project was prepared in just 6 weeks. This project helped rehabilitate more than 150 km of low-volume rural roads and generated about 15,000 person-months of employment over an 8-month period from May to December 2009. The World Banks Operational Policy 8.0, Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies, was applied to the design and implementation of this project. This operational policy is invoked when major adverse economic and social impacts resulting from natural disasters or crises caused by humans occur and triggers the use of a set of streamlined procedures for rapid project preparation and implementation. The lessons learned from the design and implementation of this stimulus package offer useful guidance for preparing rapid-response infrastructure programs and projects under similar conditions and circumstances in other countries.