Unlocking Sustainable Development: The Interplay of Transportation Infrastructure and Land-Use Rights in Edo State, Nigeria

A recent article by Obeten et al. (2023) titled “Using Spatiotemporal Price Formation to Assess the Relationship between Transferring Land-Use Rights and Transportation Infrastructure Expansions in Edo State, Nigeria” published in Direct Research Journal of Engineering and Information Technology by Direct Research Journals, examines how the growth of urban areas and transportation infrastructure affects land-use and land-cover patterns in Edo State, Nigeria.

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There is a strong correlation between transportation infrastructure expansion and land value appreciation in Edo State, Nigeria – Obeten et al., 2023

This article explores urbanization and land-use change. The study also explores how the growth of urban areas and transportation infrastructure affects land-use and land-cover patterns in Edo State, Nigeria. Land value is the monetary worth of a piece of land, which can be influenced by various factors, such as location, accessibility, demand, supply, and land-use rights. Land-use rights are the legal rights to use, occupy, or develop a piece of land for a specific purpose, such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural. Land-use rights can be transferred from one party to another through various mechanisms, such as sale, lease, inheritance, or expropriation. The study identifies the factors influencing land-use rights transfers in the context of transportation infrastructure expansions. The authors explore the uses of land-use rights data and econometric models to analyze the determinants of land-use rights transfers, such as land size, location, accessibility, and demand. The authors evaluate the potential for sustainable development in Edo State, considering the relationship between land-use rights transfers and transportation infrastructure expansions. The study uses Land-use Land-cover (LULC) maps derived from Landsat images using Support Vector Machines (SVM) to assess the changes in land use and land-cover over time.

Methodology

The study employed Landsat images using Support Vector Machines (SVM), a machine learning technique. The maps show the land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes in Edo State for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The data are obtained from various sources, such as the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Edo State Ministry of Transportation, and Open Street Map. The authors obtain socio-economic data from the NBS, the Edo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Edo State Ministry of Education. The authors used spatiotemporal price formation analysis and geoinformation to measure the impact of road and rail networks, bus stations, and airport locations on land values. The authors calculate the area and percentage of different LULC classes, the density and accessibility of transportation infrastructure, and the spatial correlation between LULC changes and transportation infrastructure expansions. The study explore regression models to estimate the impact of transportation infrastructure expansions on land values, controlling for other factors, and discrete choice models to identify the factors influencing land-use rights transfers, such as land characteristics, location attributes, and socio-economic variables. The authors use indicators of environmental, social, and economic sustainability, such as carbon emissions, urban sprawl, poverty reduction, and economic growth, to evaluate the sustainability assessment.

Findings of the Study

The authors found a strong correlation between transportation infrastructure expansion and land value appreciation in Edo State, Nigeria. The authors show that transportation infrastructure expansion has a strong correlation with land value appreciation, as well as settlement expansion and land-use change. This implies that transportation infrastructure can be used as a tool to promote urban development and economic growth, but also requires careful planning and management to avoid negative environmental and social impacts. The authors argue that land-use rights transfers are influenced by various factors, such as land availability, accessibility, demand, and profitability. Land-use rights transfers can facilitate the efficient allocation of land resources and the optimal use of land potential, but also pose challenges for land governance and regulation. In addition, the authors evaluate the potential for sustainable development in Edo State, considering the relationship between transportation infrastructure expansion and land-use rights transfers.

Recommendations

• The authors explore the idea that the government should coordinate the development of land-use and transportation infrastructure to optimize the benefits of both sectors.
• The authors posit that the government should improve the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of the land administration and management system. This would involve streamlining the processes of land registration, valuation, taxation, and dispute resolution, enhancing the quality and accessibility of land information, and protecting the rights and interests of all land stakeholders.
• The study suggests that the government should establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impacts of land-use and transportation changes on the socio-economic and environmental aspects of Edo State. This would require collecting and analyzing relevant data on land values, land-use rights transfers, transportation infrastructure expansions, settlement patterns, and ecosystem services, using geospatial and econometric tools.
• The study also highlights that the government should engage and consult with various stakeholders, such as landowners, developers, transport operators, civil society, and academia, in the planning and implementation of land-use and transportation policies.  In addition, the authors suggest that the government should also raise public awareness of the benefits and challenges of land-use and transportation changes and encourage responsible and efficient use of land and transport resources.

In conclusion, the study by Obeten et al. sheds light on the intricate dynamics between transportation infrastructure expansion and land-use rights in Edo State, Nigeria. The findings underscore a significant correlation between these factors, emphasizing the potential for leveraging transportation development as a catalyst for economic growth and urban development. However, the study also highlights the need for careful planning, transparent land administration, and sustainable practices to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts. The recommended measures, ranging from coordinated development strategies to enhanced governance and stakeholder engagement, provide a comprehensive framework for fostering sustainable development in Edo State. As we navigate the intersection of urbanization, land-use changes, and transportation evolution, thoughtful implementation of these recommendations will be crucial for realizing the full benefits while preserving the region’s ecological and societal integrity.