Asunción Green City of the Americas – Pathways to Sustainability

Action Implemented

The project aims to improve the quality of life in the Metropolitan Area of ​​Asunción (AMA) and grant multiple benefits with equity criteria, through the integration of transportation and solid waste management and green infrastructure in a sustainable and resilient city framework. The implementation of this project is led by MADES in coordination with the Municipality of Asunción, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, the Technical Planning Secretariat, the National Emergency Secretariat and NGOs (Guyra Paraguay and the Network for Sustainable Cities), with the support of UNDP.

Outcomes and Expected Impact

Expected Results include 1) Improving urban planning taking into account environmental sustainability indicators in Asunción and its Metropolitan Area; 2) Reducing emissions from the public transport sector in the AMA by focusing on the optimization of the bus route, promoting bicycle lanes and generating options for the reconversion of the bus fleet; 3) Generating models for improving the management of solid urban waste for the AMA, promoting recycling measures and reducing waste through awareness campaigns; and 4) Creating a green belt for the AMA based on the consolidation of green areas already existing or to be created in Asunción.

Sustainability and Scalability

The global environmental benefits that are expected to be accrued include: a) 1,227,442 tCO2e of emissions mitigated and sequestered through transportation-oriented development, green infrastructure and the implementation of the solid waste management policy; b) 13.2 g of TEQ emissions of unintentional POPs reduced through a chemical and waste management system; c) increase in the global population (number of individuals) of 5 emblematic species - Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis); Golden plover (Pluvialis dominica); Pititoi chico (Tringa flavipes); White-rumpled Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) and Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos).

Innovative and Cultural Aspects

To improve the experience and safety of public transportation users, thirty sustainable bus shelters were installed throughout Asunción’s metropolitan area. Comfortable seats, lighting, a WiFi connection, and bins for both recyclable and organic waste are just some of the features public transportation users can now enjoy. Each bus stop is named after different species of native trees from Asunción and includes a QR code that links to the Arborization Manual. Also, the efforts to clean the Banco San Miguel, improve waste management, and increase resilience and conservation, aim at bringing back to Asuncion five migratory bird species now rarely seen.

Lessons Learned

UNDP’s integrative role helped spark a multisectoral debate about a metropolitan approach to land-use planning for Asunción and the 10 cities around it. This launched the initiative to build an Association of Metropolitan Area Municipalities, an instance where coordinated decisions can converge to better plan the territory. During COVID-19, public transportation must be complemented with other modes of mobility (such as bike lanes), ensuring the required physical distance. Biodiversity conservation and protection of urban green areas are central to sustainable urban development. Open spaces outdoors guarantee a secure environment for citizens to socialize and escape the confines of their homes.

Social Inclusion

UNDP cooperates with MADES and the Municipality of Asunción, in implementing a pilot initiative in the “Banco San Miguel y Bahía de Asunción” Ecological Reserve, the city’s largest green area, to restore and rehabilitate the site. To avoid proliferation of irregular dumpsites, as well as promote consistent clean-up campaigns and community empowerment, the project hired and trained local leaders to be a part of the Banco San Miguel’s Cleaning Brigade. The project carried out a thorough training program for urban park rangers employed by MADES, including a guide manual and practical lessons on fire prevention, biodiversity conservation, and managing conflicts.