Land trusts are the best way for governments in Asia to acquire private land for infrastructure projects. They also increase the likelihood that private companies will help build the roads, bridges, and railways that will keep economies growing.

Recent research by the Asian Development Bank Institute notes that political upheaval has often accompanied attempts by governments to take over private land for infrastructure projects. India, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines have all faced opposition to forcible land expropriation. Projects have been delayed by years or even canceled because of sometimes-violent opposition to land takeovers.

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Read the working paper

https://www.adb.org/publications/land-acquisition-and-infrastructure-development-through-land-trust-laws

About the authors

Saumik Paul is a senior economist at the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI).

Naoyuki Yoshino is dean of ADBI.

Vengadeshvaran Sarma is an economist at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia campus.

Saloni Lakhia is a graduate student at the International Christian University.

Know more about ADBI’s work

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