REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RESEARCH ON
LAND POLICY AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy announces its 2013 call for research proposals on land
policy and urban development in Latin America. The research proposals will be reviewed
competitively based on the weighted evaluation criteria indicated below. These criteria favor
empirical studies that use reliable data and rigorous analytical methods, employing original field
work and/or secondary data. Research outputs are expected to result in papers appropriate for
publication.
The researchers selected through this RFP process will be invited to participate in a seminar to
review and discuss draft papers. In addition, the Lincoln Institute will provide other opportunities
for researchers to exchange ideas and discuss their methodology and analytical strategies.
This year the Institute will consider proposals on the following research themes:
1. URBAN LAND MARKETS
Research on this topic focuses on the functioning of urban land markets, notably on the
interdependencies between the formal and informal segments of the market. The analysis trends
in sales and rent prices within or across cities over time shall help identify the factors that account
for price formation in the different segments of the market.
Suggested topics:

What are the trends in land price and land use in the formal and informal segments of the
market? How such trends are affected by government programs as titling, special zoning,
upgrading, redevelopment, and social housing? Of special interest is how regularization
and upgrading of informal settlements impact the real estate market in these settlements.

How different are the land and housing market dynamics in the formal and informal
segments of the market with respect to price growth rates, price differential for
comparable properties, price gradients, and market share?

What are the main factors affecting the residential choices of households? Why informal
occupation is chosen even when affordable formal options are available? Consider the
impacts of location and affordability on housing choices.
2. URBAN LAND REGULATIONS
Regulation influences the supply and price of urbanized land and the relative size of the
formal and informal segments of the real estate market. Further research on regulatory
practice is critical to understand how land use norms and standards affect the provision of
urban infrastructure and services. It is important to learn more about how governments
operate in enforcing compliance with regulation, and how market conditions affect
regulatory practice.
Suggested topics:

To what extent regulation is capitalized on land price? Consider the impact on
land values of restrictive and permissive norms affecting the land use potential
and/or the adjustments of the market to newly imposed land use regulation.

Is there a regulatory bias against the poor? Would more flexible building
standards and land use regulation facilitate the access to urbanized land for the
poor? Under what conditions regulation can promote sustainable social inclusion
through mixed-income housing?

Are there recurrent problems in the way governments manage and supervise
building and land use? How are norms enforced? Are some regulations more
frequently complied with than others? How city and real estate market conditions
affect regulatory practice?

How conflicts over land use are resolved? Examine the role of the judiciary in
urban land conflict resolution and ascertain how that may affect regulatory
practice.
3. INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Infrastructure provision is a major determinant of the location of economic activities and
of the spatial pattern of urban development. It contributes to economic growth by
increasing productivity and has direct impact on human welfare often contributing to
reduce income inequality. As cities grow the demands on infrastructure and services
increase and so does cost. In Latin America, saving costs by providing infrastructure
before development occurs is a major challenge given the high incidence of informal land
occupation. Of special interest is the spatial distribution of infrastructure and services, its
effects on land values, and the application of value capture instruments to finance the
development of urban infrastructure.
Suggested topics:

How equitable and efficient is the allocation of infrastructure investments? Is
there a systematic and spatial social bias in the distribution of infrastructure? How
the benefits and costs are socially distributed and how are subsidies allocated?
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
What is the price differential between urbanized and non-urbanized land in urban
expansion areas? To what extent are these land value increments mobilized to
finance the provision of infrastructure? What are the public and private shares in
financing for the development and maintenance of infrastructure? To what extent
local governments enforce the provision of on-site infrastructure by developers of
new subdivisions?

How infrastructure affects the spatial structure of the city, as for example
supporting dense patterns of urban development, or alternatively fosters sprawl?
Analyze the spatial patterns of urban growth in relation to the provision of
infrastructure.
4. URBAN TRANSPORTATION
Investment in urban transportation is undergoing dramatic changes in Latin America.
Several cities are investing more in transportation and also giving higher priority to mass
transit. Public transportation efficiency is improving and people once spatially isolated
are gaining accessibility. Among the many aspects of urban transportation, we are
particularly interested in the links between transportation, land use and urban growth
patterns, and in the benefits of public transportation accruing to the poor. Studies should
take advantage of improved data now available for several Latin American cities such as
origin-destination surveys and census information on patterns of intra-city mobility.
Suggested topics:

How are the mobility needs of the poor understood and how their needs and
demands are addressed by current urban transportation projects?

To what extent transportation planning can be used as an instrument to guide
urban expansion? Identify alternatives to integrate land use planning and
transportation planning to maximize welfare. Examine the interaction between
transportation infrastructure, city growth, land use regulation, and land prices.

How transportation investments are capitalized into land values? Consider
different modes of transportation and their spatial impact including facilities for
pedestrians (e.g. sidewalks, trails) and bicycles (on-and-off road bicycle lanes,
bicycle parking, bicycle lockers, bicycle sharing programs).

What has been the experience of mobilizing incremental land values associated
with improved accessibility to help finance transportation projects? Develop case
studies and describe the strategies used in specific situations.

How urban transport policy interacts with employment, housing location and housing
affordability? Explore ways to increase the capacity to pay for housing among lowincome families through improved transportation.
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5. INCLUSIONARY HOUSING AND PUBLIC HOUSING POLICIES
More than 80 percent of the Latin America population now lives in cities, family incomes
are rising, the size of the middle class is expanding and the incidence of extreme poverty
is declining. Nevertheless, the supply of serviced land and housing at affordable prices
continues to be a problem and seriously constrains the development potential of the poor.
Governments tend to ignore location and neighborhood quality in financing social
housing. Research leading to improve housing policy is of critical importance for the
region in this urban century.
Suggested topics:

Can financial, land use and building regulatory incentives be designed to improve
the location of affordable housing? What subsidies are required, if any? Can these
initiatives be scaled-up? The type of land tenure may influence the sustainability
of inclusionary housing. Consider alternatives to private land ownership such as
land leasing schemes, community land trusts, and rental housing.

How and to what extent an integrated approach to transportation and housing
policy may contribute to create more inclusive cities? Is it possible to improve
housing affordability by linking housing and transportation planning? Consider
how lower transportation costs may improve affordability or promote more urban
sprawl.
6. PROPERTY TAX AND OTHER LAND-BASED FISCAL INSTRUMENTS
The use of land-based financing for urban development is economically sound and good
public finance practice. An increasing number of jurisdictions in Latin America are
mobilizing land value increments resulting from public interventions through fiscal
instruments (property taxes, development impact fees, betterment contributions,
exactions, and other charges), regulatory means (such as charges for building rights and
linkage operations), and through in-kind provision of urban infrastructure and services (as
in land readjustment schemes). More research is needed on how to choose and combine
different instruments and select implementation strategies that are appropriate to city
conditions.
Suggested topics:

What factors need to be taken into account when choosing the appropriate value
capture instrument(s)? Consider the type of public intervention and its impact
area; whether compliance is voluntary, negotiated or compulsory; the context and
procedures; and the advantages, risks and institutional requirements.

How to improve the performance of the property tax? Consider maintaining
updated cadastres and valuation maps, carrying out efficient collections and
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enforcement practices. Are other factors relevant? Identify innovative, costeffective methods to levy property taxes on informal settlements.

Is the relation between fiscal incentives and economic development clearly
understood? When are fiscal incentives a deciding factor in the location decision
of firms? What is the net impact of fiscal incentives on local public tax revenues?

What lessons can be learned from the use of land-based financing? Document
value capture practices by local jurisdictions emphasizing enabling conditions,
benefits and risks.

To what extent the application of value capture tools affect land use decision
made by planners? Consider the incidence of land value capture instruments on
land values and urban public finance.

How participatory forms of decision-making can improve (or hinder) the use of
value capture instruments?
7. NOTEWORTHY INSTRUMENTS FOR URBAN INTERVENTION
This second request for research on noteworthy instruments for urban intervention
responds to the interest expressed by the large audience who attended the Foro
Latinoamericano sobre Instrumentos Notables de Intervención Urbana, held in Quito,
Ecuador in May 2013, where twenty-two case studies were discussed. In that event it
became clear that disseminating information on successful urban policy instruments, and
especially identifying important innovations that contribute to improve urban land
management is a regional priority. Thus, we now intend to expand the number of
successful cases of policy implementation that potentially can be adapted to other cities
in the region.
The analytical work will consist of a succinct description of the policy or instrument, its
context, how it has been applied, and what has been its outcome, based on existing public
data and relevant literature. Additional field work shall not be necessary.
To select the case studies, researchers must ascertain that it meets the following criteria:




Has been effectively implemented in a given jurisdiction during sufficient time to
have had observable impact.
Addresses an important urban development issue, for example raising municipal
revenue or preventing informality.
Uses either an innovative instrument (e.g. CEPAC, as introduced in São Paulo) or a
novel implementation strategy (e.g. negotiations with informal developers), or
introduces the means to overcome a recurrent land management obstacle (e.g. a
reliable method to estimate the value added to real estate property due to public sector
interventions).
Is potentially replicable in other cities in the country or elsewhere.
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
Has already been somewhat evaluated and information on its design and
implementation is available to the public.
THE RESEARCH SEMINAR
Authors of selected research proposals will be invited to participate in a research seminar that is
tentatively scheduled for September 2014 at a Latin American venue to be chosen by the Lincoln
Institute. At that time participants will have completed their data collection and most of the
analysis, and will be expected to present draft papers for review and discussion. The seminar
provides a unique opportunity for researchers to network with their peers who are interested in
similar research topics. It also promotes interdisciplinary debate. Peer reviews help authors
improve their analytical approach and methodology. The final papers will be considered for
inclusion in the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Working Papers series, and may be posted on the
Institute’s Web site.
LEVEL OF FUNDING
The Lincoln Institute will pay for the research project based on the scope of work and the
justification of the proposed budget. In addition, the Institute will cover expenses for travel and
accommodations during the research seminar for the lead researcher of each selected project.
Recent project funding has ranged from $6,400 to $120,000, with most projects not exceeding
$30,000. Funding for the case studies on noteworthy instruments for urban intervention will be up
to $3,000 per case.
EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
The Lincoln Institute will evaluate the research proposals based on the following criteria:
Weight



Relevance of the research for the advancement of knowledge on the
selected topic
Quality of the proposed methodology and sources of data
General academic qualifications of the members of the research team and
relevant analytical experience as indicated by prior work.
35
40
25
100
Incomplete proposals, proposals received after the due date, or proposals that do not respect the
format defined in the attached Guidelines will not be considered.
SCHEDULE
Proposals due:
Awards announced:
First draft paper due:
Research seminar:
Final paper due:
July 8, 2013
July 29, 2013
August 4, 2014
September, 2014
January 5, 2015
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ABOUT THE LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a leading resource for key issues concerning the
use, regulation, and taxation of land. Providing high-quality education and research, the
Institute strives to improve public dialogue and decisions about land policy.
As a private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Institute seeks to
inform decision making through education, research, policy evaluation, demonstration
projects, and the dissemination of information, policy analysis, and data through our
publications, website, and other media.
By bringing together scholars, practitioners, public officials, policy makers, journalists,
and citizens, the Lincoln Institute integrates theory and practice and provides a
nonpartisan forum for multidisciplinary perspectives on public policy concerning land,
both in the United States and internationally.
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
113 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-3400 USA
Phone: 617/661-3016 or 800/LAND-USE (800/526-3873)
Fax: 617/661-7235 or 800/LAND-944 (800/526-3944)
E-mail: help@lincolninst.edu
Web: www.lincolninst.edu
The Lincoln Institute is an equal opportunity institution.
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
Language: All sections of the proposal must be submitted in one of the following languages:
English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The Project Abstract (Form B) must be submitted in English in
all cases.
Remittance of proposals: Proposals must be received at the Lincoln Institute by July 8, 2013,
and only complete proposals will be accepted. A complete proposal will contain all of the
sections described below.
The proposal format should have one-inch margins for copying on 8.5 x 11-inch (letter size)
paper. All pages should be numbered sequentially. Use font 11 pt. Use page breaks to separate
sections. Submit the proposal by e-mail in one Microsoft Word document. Proposals in PDF will
not be accepted.
Send the e-mail to lacinvestigacion@lincolninst.edu. In the subject line, put last name of lead
researcher (Example: Researcher last name, Researcher first name).
The Institute will send an acknowledgment by e-mail when your proposal has been received and
reviewed for format accuracy. Please allow five to seven business days after July 8, 2013 to
receive this acknowledgement. We will not be able to respond to individual consultations either
during the review period or prior to the proposals due date.
Incomplete proposals, proposals received after the due date, or proposals that do not
respect the format defined in these Guidelines will not be considered.
Proposal Sections: Proposals must include all the sections listed below in a single Word
document.
1. Proposal Cover Sheet (use Form A). Contact information for the lead researcher and all
other research participants. All correspondence will be made with the lead researcher.
2. Project Abstract (use Form B). The project abstract should not exceed 100 words.
3. Budget (use Form C). Specify amount of co-financing if pertinent.
4. Project Description. The project description should not exceed 1,500 words or
approximately three (3) pages, single-spaced, using font 11 pt. It should cover the
following:
a) Clearly state the main purpose and objectives of the research;
b) Give the conceptual framework that informs the research, specifying precedents in
the literature;
c) Present clearly the analytical methods to be used (that is not a list of data sources). In
addition, specify sources of empirical data, assurance of access to the data, and data
collection strategy when warranted;
d) Indicate your own prior research experience in analyzing the proposed topic;
e) Explain the potential relevance of the research outcome, the expected results, their
application, and dissemination strategy;
f) Specify the role of each participant in the research team: responsibilities and tasks
assigned to the lead researcher and to each research collaborator;
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g) Describe partnership arrangements, if any. For example, collaboration with academic
institutions, government agencies, private firms, civil society organizations, and/or
community groups. If the research involves other sources of financing besides the
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, specify the source(s) and any conditions attached to
such financing.
5. Curriculum Vitae and Summary Biography for all participants in the research
project, except research assistants. The resume must not exceed three (3) pages (per
person) and the list of publications should be limited to works published in the last five years.
The summary biography should not exceed 150 words per person.
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LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY
Form A
RESEARCH PROPOSAL COVER SHEET
TITLE OF PROJECT:
LEAD RESEARCHER (Full
Title:
Department:
Organization:
Address:
Street:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:
Phone: Country Code (
Fax: Country Code (
E-mail:
Name):
) Area Code (
) Area Code (
RESEARCH COLLABORATOR (Full
Title:
Department:
Organization:
Address:
Street:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:
Phone: Country Code (
Fax: Country Code (
E-mail:
) Number (
) Number (
)
)
) Number (
) Number (
)
)
Name):
) Area Code (
) Area Code (
FOR OTHER PARTICIPANTS (CO-AUTHORS, COLLABORATORS, ASSISTANTS, CONSULTANTS,
INTERVIEWERS, OR OTHERS) SPECIFY CONTACT INFORMATION USING THE ABOVE FORMAT.
How did you learn about this request for research proposals? ( ) Land Lines magazine;
( ) Lincoln Institute Web site; ( ) Colleague; ( ) E-mail; ( ) Listserv; ( ) Mail; ( ) Other.
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LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY
Form B
PROJECT ABSTRACT
This abstract should state clearly the key purpose and goals of the research project. If your project
is selected for funding, this information may be used in Lincoln Institute catalogs and magazines
and on the Webpage to announce your award.
TITLE OF THE PROJECT:
ABSTRACT: DO NOT EXCEED 100 WORDS
LEAD RESEARCHER NAME:
(must be written in English)
__________________________________
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LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY
Form C
BUDGET TEMPLATE 1/ 4/
Unit Cost 2/
US$
Category
Type of
Unit
No. of
Units
Total Cost
US$
Personnel Expenses
Lead researcher fees
Research collaborator(s) fees
Research assistant stipend
Personnel expenses sub-total
Travel Expenses 3/
Airfare
Hotel
Meals
Ground transportation
Travel expenses sub-total
Data purchase and/or data
collection
Operational Expenses
Office supplies
Communications (phone, fax, mail)
Other (specify)
Operational expenses sub-total
Other costs (specify)
Total Project Cost
Co-financing
1/
Project expenses must be shown in this table in detail. Do not lump together expenses under a
single heading, as for example fees for all researchers. Show round figures to the dollar.
Equipment and administrative costs cannot be financed.
2/
Examples of unit cost include the daily rates for personnel fees and travel expenses, the monthly
rates for operational expenses. Specify the type of unit that you are using in each case.
Estimate the cost of acquiring data and/or collecting data for the duration of the project.
3/
Travel expenses should not include travel to attend the research seminar.
4/
If this budget template is not appropriate for your project, please replace it with a budget that is
appropriate, keeping the main headings.
LEAD RESEARCHER NAME:
_____________________________________
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LINCOLN INSTITUTE OF LAND POLICY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Proposal Format
 Should the entire proposal be single- or double-spaced? Single-spaced.
 Is there a desired format to follow in writing the three-page project description? No.
 How detailed should the three-page project description be? Whatever best conveys the objective of
your proposal in clear language.
 Should the three-page project description include a budget? No. Use Form C for budget.
 Must all submissions be electronic? Yes. Please send proposals by e-mail to
lacinvestigacion@lincolninst.edu.
 Must all submissions be in Microsoft Word? Yes.
 Do I need to send a hard copy of the proposal? No.
 What is the format for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Working Paper? This format will be
send to authors of selected proposals at a later date.
Budget
 Can the budget be changed in the course of the research? No, except in case of reallocation of
funds in consultation with the Lincoln Institute.
 Does the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy cover institutional overhead? No.
 What does the award amount cover? The award covers all direct research expenditures including
personnel, research assistance, data, books, research-related travel and software or other items
deemed indispensable for the development of the project. Separately, the Lincoln Institute will
pay directly for travel and lodging expenses for the lead researcher to attend the research
seminar.
 Does the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy finance acquisition of equipment? No.
 Is there a maximum budget amount? No. Total funding from the Lincoln Institute will be
determined based on the scope of the project and the justification of the proposed budget.
Evaluation Criteria
 Is it necessary to be a U.S. citizen to apply? No.
 Do you fund only academics? What about practitioners and researchers who do not hold a Ph.D.?
The RFP targets but is not restricted to academics and researchers holding a Ph.D.
 Can the paper be co-authored? Yes. Contact details for all authors must be mentioned in the
proposal and a lead researcher must be designated as the person responsible for the project.
However, we only cover travel expenses for the lead researcher to attend the seminar.
 How many proposals do you expect to receive? The average number of responses to the Lincoln
Institute RFP is within a range of 10 to 50 per topic.
 Can I get feedback on the substance of my proposal? No. This is a competitive process, so all
participants must have access to the same information. Thus we will not respond to individual
consultations either during the evaluation period or prior to the proposals due date.
 Can I make changes to a section of my proposal after having sent it in? Only if you do so before
the final date for submission of proposals and only if you send a complete revised version that
will replace the original one. Isolated sections of the proposal will not be considered.
 Does the proposal deadline refer to the postmark date or the date of receipt by the Institute? Date
of receipt by the Lincoln Institute.
 Can I present more than one research proposal. Yes.
If you have further questions regarding the Guidelines for Research Proposals, please send e-mail to
lacinvestigacion@lincolninst.edu.
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