Managing Access to Land for Infrastructure

The session centered on managing access to land for infrastructure development, focusing on the launch of the World Bank Guidance Note for the South Asia Region (SAR). This guidance aimed to enhance access to land and optimize land asset values in key sectors such as urban public land, transit-oriented development, and renewable energy projects. The presentation underscored the critical importance of leveraging land assets for value creation and capturing that value to support urban development and climate action. Despite the region's history of land administration advancements, significant challenges persist, including outdated land records, manual processes for planning and taxation, and pervasive land-related litigation, all of which contribute to delays and complications in infrastructure projects. The session showcased recent success stories, such as India's Digital Land Records Modernization Program and similar initiatives in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, illustrating how digital transformation can drive progress in land administration. However, it also highlighted persistent obstacles, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where demand for development continues to rise. The Guidance Note provided practical recommendations tailored for urban development, housing, transit-oriented projects, and renewable energy operations, emphasizing that efficient land management is fundamental for financing infrastructure and fulfilling climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. The discussion concluded with a call to prioritize modernized land infrastructure and services, highlighting the need for accurate land records, effective valuation, and clear legal frameworks to unlock development potential and facilitate sustainable infrastructure growth across the region.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.