Land acquisition for infrastructure projects in post-conflict and fragile states: the case of Timor-Leste
Almeida, Bernardo
This paper explores the problems and strategies of land acquisition for large-scale infrastructure projects in the context of a weak legal and institutional framework that of Timor-Leste by comparing two types of large-scale infrastructure projects: those led and implemented solely by government, and those involving international institutions and their requisite safeguard policies. The three case studies analysed exemplify different scenarios, approaches and outcomes of land-acquisition processes for the implementation of infrastructure projects. This comparison is especially relevant when taking into consideration the Indonesian administrationns legacy of unfair land-acquisition processes and the present economic windfall of Timor-Leste, which is promoting several large-scale infrastructure projects. While not analysing the safeguard mechanisms in detail, this paper illustrates their importance in countries with legal frameworks that do not provide strong protection to those affected by these projects.
Event: Annual World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty 2015
Only personal, non-commercial use of this document is allowed.