UN-Habitat Meeting Addresses Land-Based Finance

25 May 2015: The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has brought together experts in municipal finance, governance and capacity development to review its ‘Land-Based Finance Training Package,’ which is designed to: build the capacity of local and national leaders to utilize land-based financing as an important element within municipal finance; help government agencies broaden their understanding regarding potential land-based revenue tools; and facilitate critical thinking regarding requirements to implement or improve each tool.

Approximately 30 experts convened on 25 May 2015 in Barcelona, Spain, for the meeting titled ‘Municipal Financing in Developing Cities: Review of Land-based Finance Training Package for Financing Sustainable Urban Development,’ which was hosted in conjunction with the Barcelona City Council. Participants also discussed implementation by local governments, and producing information on municipal finance best practices for the global community through Habitat III – the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development – and other initiatives.

Land-based finance is an emerging best practice within municipal finance for local governments to manage growth and generate revenues. Its methods have significant potential for linking the value of urban development with public revenue generation in urban areas.

According to UN-Habitat, this framework: can help direct spatial growth in sustainable patterns, enhance economic development, support affordability and facilitate social equity; and provides a set of tools that local governments in both urban and rural contexts can use to increase their revenue with the aim of providing better infrastructure and services to citizens. [UN-Habitat Press Release]

Source: Forests Policy & Practice