Planning for impact
PVSL helps navigate the complexity of urban development by providing technical expertise that integrates land use, mobility, public space, and resilience planning.
The integration of these inherently urban topics contributes to create a holistic, people-centered urban environment where development, connectivity, and climate resilience reinforce one another, resulting in more equitable, vibrant, and future-ready cities.
This matters to 57% of the world’s population.
PVSL provides technical assistance, program management, and evaluation services. Such combination of services is relevant to help urban projects reach their full potential because:
Approximately USD 5 trillion in annual urban infrastructure is needed through 2030, much of it in emerging markets.
With limited resources, robust project identification can contribute to raise infrastructure productivity by up to 60%.
Investment efficiency can increase by 20% when ex-post evaluations are routinely conducted.
Technical Assistance Services
PVSL delivers specialized technical assistance, translating policy directives, data, and local realities into practical urban development solutions.
We conduct analytical work, contribute to flagship knowledge products, develop targeted action plans, and identify and formulate urban infrastructure projects, including catalytic interventions, while building a clear investment case that resonates with decision makers.
By aligning initiatives with broader development frameworks, we help advance projects from planning to execution with a results-focused approach.
Our track record includes providing technical assistance to the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, Corporación Andina de Fomento, the Center for Livable Cities, the Economist Intelligence Unit, and national and local governments worldwide.
Deliverables
Analytical deliverables: comprehensive urban diagnostics, national urban assessments and other analytical work that identify untapped potential and strategic urban assets
Planning deliverables: urban development strategies, regional and urban planning instruments, action plans, and design frameworks
Project identification deliverables: concept notes, project appraisal and formulation reports, pre-feasibility studies, input documents for credit proposals, and the conceptualization of catalytic interventions
Highlighted projects
Program Management Services
PVSL provides structured end-to-end oversight, coordination, administration, and communication for multi-project urban development initiatives.
We align activities with broader policy goals, manage stakeholder coordination, support procurement, provide technical backstopping and quality control, and oversee budgets.
We also translate project progress into clear, actionable messaging. Through a practical, proactive, and results-driven approach, we keep projects on track within scope, budget, and time constraints.
We have worked client-side with the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, SECO, AECID, the European Union and UN-Habitat to deliver services to local governments in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
Deliverables
Strategic-level deliverables: position papers and topic guides that define program direction and policy alignment.
Program planning deliverables: tools for structured oversight, including project charters, work plans, schedules, and budget and financial plans.
Implementation deliverables: procurement-related documents (e.g., Terms of Reference), task coordination frameworks, progress reports, meeting minutes, action logs, and quality control mechanisms.
Knowledge, capacity, and communications deliverables: communication strategies, creation of multi-channel messages, implementation of on-the-job capacity building, and development of knowledge products and training materials.
Highlighted projects
Evaluation Services
PVSL carries out evaluations to assess the relevance and effectiveness of single and multi-donor urban development programs, examining the extent to which objectives are met and offering actionable insights to guide future policy and funding decisions.
We are familiar with the OECD DAC criteria and draw on both quantitative and qualitative data collection, stakeholder consultations, and comparative analysis to document impact.
We also conduct reviews of spatial, regional, and urban planning frameworks and instruments, providing strategic recommendations to enhance implementability.
Our evaluation track record includes assignments for the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the World Resources Institute, SECO, and UNDP.
Deliverables
Review of planning instruments: analysis of urban development strategies, policies, planning frameworks and instruments at national, regional and local level to assess alignment with overarching goals and implementability.
Program and project evaluations: mid-term and final evaluations that measure achievements and outcomes, offering evidence-based recommendations for improvement.
Highlighted projects
