China - Guangdong Agricultural Development Project and Earthquake Reconstruction Program

 ICRR 10489 Report Number : ICRR10489 ICR Review Operations Evaluation Department 1. Project Data : OEDID : OEDID: C2307a Project ID : P003555 Project Name : Guangdong Agricultural Development Project and Earthquake Reconstruction Program Country : China Sector : Other Urban Development L/C Number : C2307A Partners involved : Prepared by : Ronald S. Parker, OEDST Reviewed by : George T. K. Pitman Group Manager : Gregory K. Ingram Date Posted : 08/19/1999 2. Project Objectives, Financing, Costs and Components : The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (IMAR) and Yunnan Province (YP) experienced seismic activities in 1996 which damaged infrastructure, industrial and cultural heritage facilities. The primary objective of the program was to assist in the restoration of public and private infrastructure, as well as economic and social activities in the earthquake-affected areas. A secondary objective was to restore cultural heritage assets, particularly in minority areas, thereby assisting to restore living conditions. Program components were: reconstruction of housing, schools and education facilities, clinics and hospitals, water/drainage/wastewater services, district heating, power, roads, employment restoration, and technical assistance. Costs and Financing. The actual total project cost was US$107.1 million including contingencies, and engineering and management costs. IDA financing totaled US$67.34 million equivalent at closing date under Credit 2307-CHA ($12.0 million above appraisal estimates--supplementary allocations were provided in March 1998 to enable additional urgent reconstruction to be completed). 3. Achievement of Relevant Objectives : Almost all components were successfully implemented by the original credit closing date. Cultural heritage assets were preserved and restored. Economic and social life is returning to normal patterns. 4. Significant Achievements : The vulnerability of the built environment to future earthquakes was significantly reduced in the project area. Designs and layout of rehabilitated facilities followed the 1978 antiseismic Building Code for Industrial and Public Buildings. Construction quality was reported to be consistently highly satisfactory, and local staff ensured that the reconstruction works were in compliance with this seismic-resistant code. The restoration of housing and public buildings in the Old City of Lijiang in Yunnan, a heritage asset in a fragile environment, was a major achievement by the Government and the community. 5. Significant Shortcomings : Minor problems occurred with counterpart funding due to insufficient contingency provisions in construction budgets and inadequate arrangements by executing agencies to accommodate exchange rate variations. The terms of reference for the study on a “Cultural Asset Construction Guide