Mapping Mongolia’s Urban Ger Areas in Ulaanbaatar

Infrastructure in Mongolia’s sprawling capital Ulaanbaatar has not kept up with the rapid growth of unplanned ger areas within the city, leading to harsh conditions for newcomers. 1.5 million people now live in Ulaanbaatar, more than twice as many as the city was built to sustain. Since July 2012, The Asia Foundation has been implementing an urban services project in Ulaanbaatar as part of a partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This week, the Foundation hosted a Mongolian delegation led by the Capital City Governor and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Mr. Bat-Uul Erdene, in San Francisco to highlight the partnership between the Foundation and the Ulaanbaatar City Municipality, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between both parties to improve and expand opportunities of the citizens of Ulaanbaatar.

In this video, city officials and Foundation staff share how the project is strengthening evidence-based and participatory planning through a community mapping initiative in the ger areas and improving solid waste management through a model khoroo (sub-district) solid waste management project. Other areas of collaboration include support for the city charter development process and the development of an Ulaanbaatar economic development strategy to increase growth and job opportunities in the city.