Mongolia: Green development strategic action plan for Ulaanbaatar 2020 aims to operationalize the green development agenda and transform Ulaanbaatar into a green, environmentally sustainable city, which is inclusive of economic growth, active participation of the citizens and a healthy environment. Apart from recognizing the problems, the action plan addresses the negative consequences of rapid urbanization and ensures inclusivity, sustainability.
The city is proud to be a center of attraction and an engine of innovation, job creation and economic development. However, the rapid rate of urbanization also presents various challenges which negatively impact the environment and the livability of the city. Air pollution has become one of the biggest challenges that negatively affects the city residents. Almost 60% of the population lives in low density peri-urban ger areas, residents continue to lack access to basic urban services. Inadequate public transportation means that residents endure long and uncomfortable commutes to school, work or elsewhere in the city. Increasing numbers of vehicles on the road causing serious congestion and contributing to air pollution. The Tuul River, the main source of water supply for the city, is heavily polluted by under- and untreated sewage and sullage, damaging to the land and livestock it waters. Solid waste is mostly disposed of in three land ll sites, only one of which is sanitary.
Ulaanbaatar’s green vision originates from the National Green Development Policy 2014, the Ulaanbaatar 2020 Master Plan and Development Approach for 2030i (the “Master Plan”) and the Ulaanbaatar Economic Development Strategy, 2015. Ulaanbaatar City Municipality (MUB) has put tremendous effort to tackle environmental challenges and develop the city as a green, environmentally sustainable with inclusive economic growth, active public participation and a safe and healthy living environment for its citizens. Ulaanbaatar’s vision is to become a green city supports the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 “to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, Goal 13 “to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” and many of the other Goals.