For designing and establishment of revenue models through Wastewater Reuse and Community Wellbeing Activities for Wastewater treatment plants implemented at Low-income community in Dhaka.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INSTITUTIONAL CONTRACT
Title of the assignment
Design and establishment of revenue models through Wastewater Reuse and Community Wellbeing Activities for Wastewater treatment plants implemented at Low-income community in Dhaka
Purpose
- Modelling of Multipurpose land use of WASH infrastructure
- Demonstrate multiple use of WASH Infrastructure, particularly fecal and wastewater treatment plants
- Explore Revenue model for Wastewater Treatment Plant O&M through Wastewater Reuse and Community Wellbeing Activities
Location
Two Wastewater Treatment plants in Karail Slum and one beside Gulshan Lake, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Estimated Duration
Fourteen months (14 Months) – Oct 2025 to Dec 2026
Reporting to Technical Supervisor of this assignment
WASH Specialist, WASH Section, Bangladesh
- Background
Korail low-income community is one of the largest informal settlements in Dhaka providing shelter for more than 800,0001 people. A large segment of the population is children. Many of them are preschool age, others do not have access to regular schooling. Many children are left to fend for themselves in the narrow alleyways of Korail while their parents and family members must work. The hygiene and sanitation situation are precarious, and there is a particular lack of safely managed sanitation service. There are also a few playgrounds or indoor spaces where children can play in a safe and weather-protected environment. There are few places where girls and adolescents can meet and socialize undisturbed.
As fenced, sober functional buildings with a rather forbidding appearance, they occupy part of the settlement area in interesting locations near the lakeshore. In their current form, however, they do little to vitalize urban space. Their function and use are currently barely legible to city dwellers.
Community Consultation and Outcomes:
The primary objective of community consultation was to ensure that the proposed intervention resonated with the lived experiences, needs, and aspirations of the residents of Korail. The participatory process was intended to validate, question, and refine the initial project hypotheses through direct engagement.
Key insights from the community:
The workshops generated valuable insights into community priorities, which were grouped under several themes:
- Programming: “Sharing is Caring” community members expressed a strong need for spaces
that support everyday social interaction - particularly for women and children. Suggested programs included areas for "addas" (informal gatherings), reunions, and flexible spaces that could support different community activities.
- Imagining “Desired Korail”: Children participated in creative workshops using drawing and
painting to articulate their dreams for a better Korail. These visualizations revealed desires for more vibrant, inclusive, and child-friendly environments.
- Building and Upcycling: “Separate and Re-arrange” / “Care through Repair”
Through collaborative construction sessions with local artisans, participants explored sustainable building techniques using reused materials. This fostered a sense of ownership and highlighted the potential of low-tech, community-led upcycling methods.
- Hygiene and Infrastructure Gaps: Critical concerns emerged regarding the lack of clean water
and sanitation infrastructure. These gaps were identified as major barriers to health and dignity within the settlement.
How these insights informed the program design:
These community engagements directly shaped the Edutainment (Education + Entertainment) project approach. The need for multipurpose, low-cost, and adaptable structures was emphasized. The inclusion of safe social spaces for women and playful learning zones for children emerged as top priorities. Sustainability through reuse and repair became a guiding principle for the design phase.
As there is very little land available in the densely built-up area of Korail, Adda Collective, in consultation with the residents of Korail, investigated possible locations for the implementation of a multi-purpose community space. As a result of this evaluation, the site of the existing and fenced water treatment plant proved to be the best option. It turned out that there was a strong desire from the residents - and especially the children - to keep the existing open space next to the treatment plant as large as possible. The field is used as a play and garden area and has already been reduced in size by the faecal and wastewater treatment plant. Adda Collective therefore proposed to build a multi-purpose area on top of the treatment plant.
Proof of Concept:
In December 2024, Adda Collective, Dhaka in collaboration with Korail youth and residents presented the outcomes through a two-week-long Children Art Exhibition and installations embedded in the Moja Kori Festival 2024. The wastewater treatment plant of UNICEF / DNCC near lake Banani was used as a temporary exhibition venue. The exhibition space and several other structures were built together with residents of Korail. The event strengthened community ownership and celebrated the role of the residents as co-creators in the design process.
In a fruitful dialogue with UNICEF and DNCC, Adda Collective was given permission to install a temporary exhibition space during the Moja Kori Festival in December 2024. However, a more permanent space could not materialize at this stage. Thanks to the success of the exhibition project and further planning activities by Adda Collective and an ongoing fruitful dialogue with UNICEF and DNCC, the strong wish of the community for a longer lasting multipurpose space has reached a realistic stage.
Once the building permission is obtained, further details on the spatial setting and the programming of the space will be again deepened and refined in a further co-creating process with the residents of Korail. It remains one of the goals to involve the residence also in the professionally accompanied construction of the building.
2. Objectives, Purpose, and Expected Results
Objective:
To apply simple yet effective architectural strategies within the area of wastewater treatment plants to create safe, accessible spaces that foster positive change for residents, especially for deprived children and adolescent girls.
Purpose:
- Modelling of Multipurpose land use of WASH infrastructure
- Demonstrate multiple use of WASH Infrastructure, particularly fecal and wastewater treatment plants
- Explore Revenue model for Wastewater Treatment Plant O&M through Wastewater Reuse and Community Wellbeing Activities
Expected Results: By the end of 2026, a demonstrated multipurpose land use model (Karail Slum Wastewater Treatment Plant) is ready to scale up in land-sacred areas like urban slums and highly densely populated areas.
3. Description of Assignment
Task 1: Edu-entertainment Center Development
UNICEF with DNCC has had faecal & wastewater treatment plants built at three locations in DNCC Zone-3 (Korail and in the neighbouring Banani area), which purify wastewater (faecal contaminated toilet flush water) and feed it into the water cycle of the lakes or make it suitable for everyday use, such as washing, cleaning or gardening. Wastewater purification makes a significant contribution to the well-being of the community, as it ensures pathogen free environment consciousness and healthier living spaces.
Using existing potential, the pumping and tank systems required for wastewater purification are technical infrastructures that contribute a great deal to improving environmental conditions and thus significantly to the well-being of the city's inhabitants. As fenced, sober functional buildings with a rather forbidding appearance, they occupy part of the settlement area in interesting locations near the lakeshore. In their current form, however, they do little to vitalize urban space. Their function and use are currently barely legible to city dwellers.
However, in addition to their actual main task of faecal sludge treatment and wastewater purification, the infrastructures have even more potential, which can be activated with little effort and allow the facilities to become a living component of the settlement areas.
With simple but effective architectural strategies, the current state of anonymous, silent infrastructures can be positively changed in terms of urban space. On the one hand, the places situated in good pedestrian locations lend themselves to being overlaid with other functions that can significantly enrich the everyday lives of children and particularly young people in their late teens and early twenties. On the other hand, the facilities are given an appropriate expression that duly highlights their important function of improving environment, hygiene and promoting health, which contributes to the acceptance of the infrastructure buildings.
The further development of the existing facilities is based on a simple, additive principle of supplementary, pavilion-like lightweight structures. These can be constructed quickly and cost-effectively without compromising the operation of the facility and the neighbouring urban spaces and most importantly, the structure will be made accident proof with maximum safety features in place. This strategy can also help create unique identities through building forms unique to each site.
A robust but simple basic typology, the modular structures, most of which can be built from recycled materials, can be used for a variety of purposes and remain adaptable over a long period of time. The basic steel structures can be supplemented with simple but climate-effective facades, finishing elements or plants that are customized to the use. Roof surfaces are used for rainwater harvesting.
The well-balanced structural concept manages with simple or even no additional foundations, which significantly reduces costs and construction time. Finally, the structures can be dismantled easily. The components can be fed into the material cycle and reused.
Task 2: Revenue Model Development and Execution
This assignment envisages the synergetic interplay of various components. Existing wastewater treatment plants structures will be supplemented with new components and uses so to achieve a possible function self-sustainably in the future.
The existing wastewater purification facilities were built recently by DNCC with the support of UNICEF. They are in operation and are monitored and maintained by DNCC. Defective components are replaced by DNCC technical staff as required. Operation and maintenance are currently financed by UNICEF.
One of the assignment objectives is to co-finance the monitoring of the wastewater purification systems through income from the use of the newly created child wellbeing structures/center. The long-term monitoring of the system should be carried out by the user groups of the child wellbeing center or local community groups themselves under the supervision of the selected bidder through this institutional contract. The person responsible for this is to be appointed and instructed by DNCC. The operator task would be to maintain and monitor child wellbeing centers and wastewater plants. In case of technical problems of plants, Operator will inform the DNCC technical section in the event of discrepancies. DNCC will assign the technician to maintain or repair the facility accordingly.
In an initial phase till December 2026, UNICEF will support the operational agency selected through this bidding to operate the child wellbeing center and wastewater treatment plant. After that, the income from the activities of the new edutainment structures should be able to generate their operation and maintenance costs as well as the costs for monitoring and O&M of the wastewater treatment plant for at least the next five years.
4. Deliverables
SL
Deliverables
Time Frame
1
Approved Karail Slum WWTP Edu-entertainment center Architectural design, structural design and safety net features
4th week
2
Approved Gulshan Lakeside WWTP multi-functional space architectural design, structural design and safety net features
4th week
3
Approved Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional space development detail workplan
8th week
4
Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center operational modality and revenue general model submitted for Approval to DNCC
8th week
5
Completion of Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center material
16th week
6
Handover Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center to DNCC
16th week
7
Submit proof of concept of Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center self-sustainable operational model to DNCC
68th weeks
8
Detail Report on Wastewater treatment plant and child-wellbeing center scalable plan
68th weeks
5. Reporting requirements
- Project inception report
- Architectural and structural design of Edu-entertainment and multi-functional Center
- Revenue Generation Model of WWTP and Edu-entertainment and multi-functional centre
- Documentation on social cohesion through wastewater treatment and child well-being centre (Edu-entertainment and multi-functional centre)
6. Payment Schedule
Milestone
Deliverables
Payment (Based on physical and financial progress)
1
- Approved Karail Slum WWTP Edu-entertainment center Architectural design, structural design and safety net features and
- Approved Gulshan Lakeside WWTP multi-functional space architectural design, structural design and safety net features
- Approved Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional space development detail workplan
20%
2
- Approved Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional space development detail workplan
- Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center operational modality and revenue general model submitted for Approval to DNCC
20%
3
- Completion of prefabrication of main structure
10%
4
- Completion of Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center material
10%
5
- Handover Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center to DNCC
20%
6
- Submit proof of concept of Edu-entertainment center and multi-functional center self-sustainable operational model to DNCC
10%
7
- Detail Report on Wastewater treatment plant and child-wellbeing center scalable plan
10% (Final Payment)
7. Eligibility and Qualification requirement of the potential bidders
Relevant Experience: The organization possesses over a minimum of three years of proven experience in community engagement within Korail Slum.
Certifications: Membership with IAB (Institute of Architects Bangladesh), IEB (Institution of Engineers Bangladesh), along with affiliations to recognized international architectural bodies.
Operational Strength: A multidisciplinary team comprising architects, engineers, social development professionals, and active participation from Korail community members.
Land Use Efficiency/ Space compromised design: Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing efficient solutions for space-constrained environments.
Community engagement: proven experience to work with community, particularly in Urban Slum
8. Evaluation Process and Method
Evaluation CRITERIA FOR TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
CATEGORY
POINTS
Capability (skills, expertise, and experience) of the Potential Bidder
- Legal Documentation (Mandatory) (evidence of Registration, Trade license, VAT & Tax certificates).
- A list of the Projects of similar nature competed in past three (3) years with reference (please add workorder/ contract).
- Experience providing related services to other organizations. (Please provide Completion Certificates of your clients).
(15)
5
5
5
Proposed Solution (Approach, Methodology, Schedule, Quality Control plan and time)
- Proposed Implementation Plan/Methodology showing the overall approach to be adopted in the execution of the Works.
- Detailed quality control plans are to be used in the execution of the Works, addressing anticipated risks, handling of materials, workmanship and record keeping on record to track daily progress.
- Detailed workplan/sequential program of work from mobilization to substantial completion of the work to achieve the stated timeline for the respected sites/works.
(40)
15
15
10
Capacity (resources and availability) of the Potential Bidder [and Key Personnel]:
- A detailed list of equipment (owned or leased). The equipment proposed should be sufficient to achieve the timely completion of the Works.
- A list of key personnel proposed for the execution of the Works, including their CVs for the position.
(15)
10
5
TOTAL MARKS
70
For this RFP, the Technical Proposal has a total score of 70 points. Bidders must score a minimum of 49 points to be considered technically compliant and for the Financial Proposals to be opened. The financial proposal has a total score of 30 points.
The final selection of the bidder will be based on a quality and cost basis as specified in the RFP.