- Ger areas are informal settlements where connections to basic infrastructure are scarce.
- An ADB-assisted project helped residents affected by involuntary resettlement find new livelihoods in Ulaanbaatar’s ger areas.
- With ADB assistance, residents have a network of livable, competitive, and inclusive subcenters in Ulaanbaatar's ger areas.
See the impact and visit the beneficiaries of an ADB-assisted livelihood and area improvement project, who are empowered in Mongolia’s ger areas after being adversely affected by involuntary resettlement.
Ger areas are low-density settlements around urban areas that extend outside the city core of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – and they constitute 50% of the city’s population.
Poor air and sanitary conditions in ger areas – can be a serious threat to the city’s environment and people’s health without intervention – we take a look at how economically empowering individuals and improving living conditions can make a significant difference.
Transcript
Maria Lorena Cleto
Social Development Specialist
East Asia Department
Asian Development Bank
This is Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, home to 1.65 million people.
We are standing here today in Sukhbaatar square, which is the central square of the city. But our focus today isn’t on these modern buildings; instead, we are going to the ger areas, where connections to basic services is scarce. We will be talking to the people, the residents of these areas, and hearing their stories. We will also learn about how ADB’s initiatives is helping improve the lives of residents these ger areas.
Ger areas are peri-urban low-density settlements that extend outside the city core of Ulaanbaatar. They are characterized by unplanned settlements of low- and medium-income households with land ownership, unserviced plots, unpaved roads, and poor facilities.
The population of ger areas in Ulaanbaatar is estimated at 840,000 people, which is about 50% of the city’s population.
Given these circumstances, the forecasted population increase in ger areas is a serious threat to the city’s environment and peoples’ health.
In 2013, ADB approved the Ulaanbaatar Urban Services and Ger Areas Improvement Program to upgrade several target subcenters in ger areas.
In 2019, ADB approved Capacity Building for Sustainable Livelihood Support in Ger Areas. The program builds support for households whose livelihoods were affected by involuntary resettlement."
Otgonbaatar Ganselem
Project affected person
My name is Otgonbaatar, Ganselem. My old house was located in 10th khoroo, 70th street in Songinokhairkhan district. Recently, I moved here and have been running a repair shop. I have received two tools through the Livelihood Support Program. One of them is this spotter machine. This machine is for car dent pulling. In the old days, the dent was pulled by screws. Now I no longer do that. Also, it has advantage of using less putty. That’s why my service is in high demand among the customers.
Pavit Ramachandran
Country Director
Mongolia Resident Mission
Asian Development Bank
Since 2010, the Asian Development Bank has been working with the Government of Mongolia and the Municipality of Ulaanbaatar city to address basic urban services, the need for improved living conditions, and to address the pressing air pollution problems in the ger districts here in Ulaanbaatar city.
We have provided an integrated package of services that includes housing, economic opportunities, which will create jobs, and support for business enterprises, SMEs, as part of the solution to address this urgent need for basic services.
Lkhagvaa is an elderly woman in her early 70s. She used to actively engage in tree planting and vegetable growing on her affected land.
During the needs assessment, Lkhagvaa had made a tiny greenhouse. After several discussions, it was agreed to support her with a new proper greenhouse.
Lkhagvaa, Project Affected Person:
I used to live in 14th khoroo in Sukhbaatar district. Construction work, road, and other infrastructure works have begun there and my home was affected. My children have been allowed an apartment there. I have followed my interest and moved here for fresh air with two cows. I used to grow vegetables there before I came here. I had a tiny greenhouse and used to grow and pickle cucumbers. Then I got land here according to the Livelihood Support Program and have given this beautiful greenhouse. I have been growing vegetables for two years.
Avirmed Dangaa
Project Coordinator
Project Management Office
MFF Ulaanbaatar Urban Services and Ger Areas Development Investment Program
We are very proud and happy with this program because it supported people’s livelihood in accordance with the Asian Development Bank policy and allowed new opportunities to run business for the people.
