Infrastructure for Development

What is the role of infrastructure in development? Among other things:

• Adequate infrastructure helps reduce GHGs and Adapt to Climate Change 

Climate crisis calls for reduction of Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adaptation to changed climate conditions. Infrastructure plays an important role in both, impacting how people move, where they get water from, how is water that people release treated before returning it to nature, where and how waste is disposed.

• Adequate infrastructure contributes to inclusive society

In the 21st century, if infrastructure is well planned and executed, schools and public institutions won’t have doors that are too narrow for wheelchair users, or premises that are inaccessible for persons with disabilities. In parallel, for example, Centres for social work should be constructed in such a way that beneficiaries, socially vulnerable individuals, feel encouraged to enter, and seek assistance. Infrastructure should also be developed with the needs of both women and men in mind.

• Adequate infrastructure can reduce conflict in the society

Well planned, participatory infrastructure, which preemptively considers possible risks and reconciles different societal interests is indispensable for good governance. Developing countries usually opt for speed over broad societal participation in infrastructure development. However, particularly in the development of large infrastructure projects that bear a high cost, it is important to have a societal consensus to ensure large development gains (for example when constructing highways, telecom networks etc) and avoid major failures (for example in cases when governments change and alliances shift).   

UNDP Serbia Engineering Tech Cell (ETC) 

Recognizing the importance of having the adequate infrastructure in development, in 2017 UNDP in Serbia has established the Engineering Tech Cell (ETC), a team of highly qualified architects and engineers with experience in UNDP policies and procedures and new Construction Policy requirements. ETC includes architects, structural, hydromechanical, mechanical and electrical engineers supported by a strong procurement team with experience in design and construction tenders, as well as more than 30 additional consultants for specific tasks of different nature and complexity. 

ETC Achievements

To this day the ETC has successfully implemented or is implementing technical designs with related engineering services on over 40 projects that include more than 50 facilities with gross floor area of over 350,000 m2 and contract value of over 18 million USD. 

Our main areas of work include public infrastructure related to healthcare, education, social protection, sport, culture, water and waste management. 

Our key achievements include technical documentation for construction and/or complete reconstruction of:

• 7 main healthcare institutions with total bed capacity of over 1,500 

• 8 major sport stadiums with seating capacity of over 70,000

• 6 education institutions raging from primary schools to university campuses

• 9 social protection institutes including centres for gerontology for 780 tenants

• 5 wastewater treatment plans

• New Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall with 1,600 seats

ETC Work

The ETC can deliver turn-key services home-based or on-site. The ETC covers full scope of services, ranging from initial studies, technical designs, procurement of engineering services - to supervision and commissioning services.

Some of the examples of past services provided include:

• Initial scoping studies, site survey reports and needs assessments;

• Terms of reference for engineering services;

• Budget assessment;

• Tender preparation and procurement of engineering services for technical designs, construction works as well works supervision;

• Monitoring of construction works, works supervision and assistance in beneficiary supervisions.

UNDP Serbia Engineering Tech Cell