REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
RESEARCH ON
LAND POLICY AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy announces its 2014 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. Research projects
may focus on trends in sales and rent prices within or across cities over time aiming at identifying
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 are such trends 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?

Residential inclusion exists, albeit on a modest scale in Latin American cities, and it is not
well understood. Why and how do single buildings or pockets of low income housing
survive in the midst of higher income neighborhoods? Their resilience history contradicts the
alternative of highest and best use for the sites. What do existing patterns of lower income
residents in higher income areas have in common? Are there lessons to draw for the
understanding of urban processes and policies?

Which data sources (conventional but also unconventional), research strategies, and methods
are best suited to analyze the functioning of informal land markets? What are the best
sampling and field work practices; does existing research exhibit biases or distorted results
from faulty data. Identify the ambiguities of measuring informality and its implications for
land market analysis.
2. URBAN LAND REGULATIONS
Land use regulation influences the supply and price of urbanized land and the relative size of the
formal and informal segments of the real estate market. The complexities of the determinants of
land use regulation and their effects need further research. Similarly, the analysis of 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 is regulation capitalized in land price? What is 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 can
regulation 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 do city and real estate market conditions affect regulatory practice?

How are conflicts over land use resolved? Examine the role of the judiciary in urban land
conflict resolution and ascertain how that may affect regulatory practice.

What are the effects of land use regulation on informal land development and on patterns of
urban extension? How best to measure such impacts?
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: determinants, alternative patterns, and relevant impacts
on land use. The analysis of the spatial dimension of infrastructure and service provision can shed
light on how it relates to urban extension, densification, leapfrog development and poverty. How
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equitable and efficient is the spatial distribution? What are its effects on land values? To what
extent the use of value capture instruments can help finance the provision 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 are the benefits
and costs socially distributed and how are subsidies allocated? What is the spatial dimension
of the infrastructure deficits in Latin American cities and how best to measure it?

What is the price differential between urbanized and non-urbanized land in urban expansion
areas? To what extent may these land value differentials be 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 do local governments
enforce the provision of on-site infrastructure by developers of new subdivisions?

How does infrastructure affect the spatial structure of the city, as for example supporting
dense patterns of urban development, or alternatively fostering sprawl? Analyze the spatial
patterns of urban growth in relation to the provision of infrastructure and services.

What is the magnitude of the urban infrastructure deficit? What were urban infrastructure
investments in recent years? Has the deficit risen in absolute terms recently? How much
investment in urban infrastructure could additional municipal fiscal effort generate (including
value capture)?
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.
Innovative modes of transportation are being used to trigger the development of low-income
neighborhoods. 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:

Explore the political economy of funding for urban transportation, considering land-based
instruments as well as non-land-based sources of financing. Examine the impacts of cross
subsidies in transport rates schedules (single/unified rates, or stepwise rates). Analyze the
social and spatial redistributive burdens of transport financing. How are transport subsidies
funded and what are their spatial implications?

To what extent can transportation planning 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.
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
How are transportation investments 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). Are there provisions to facilitate walking along city streets?

What has been the experience in 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 does urban transport policy interact with employment, housing location and housing
affordability? Explore ways to increase the capacity to pay for housing among low-income
families through improved transportation.
5. 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 land-based fiscal instruments and select implementation
strategies that are appropriate to local conditions.
Suggested topics:

What needs 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 the procedures used; and
the advantages, risks and institutional requirements associated with the use of such
instruments.

Evaluate the capitalization effects of the property tax on land values.

How to improve the performance of the property tax? Consider maintaining updated
cadastres and valuation maps, carrying out efficient collections and enforcement practices.
Are other factors relevant? Identify innovative, cost-effective methods to levy property taxes
on informal settlements. Document cases where the property tax is charged and effectively
paid by low income householders.

Is the relation between fiscal incentives and economic development clearly understood?
When are fiscal incentives a deciding factor in the location decision of firms? How do fiscal
incentives rank among other factors that firms take into account in their location decisions?
What is the net impact of providing fiscal incentives on local public tax revenues?

Analyze fiscal incentives compared to other incentives such as providing specific or
subsidized infrastructure. What are the pros and cons of applying TIF (Tax Increment
Financing Instruments) in the Latin American urban context where property tax is low.
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
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. Examine
explicit vs. implicit value capture instruments (i.e. circumstances where incremental land
value was effectively captured without deliberate policies or intention; and cases where major
efforts were made to implement value capture tools and have failed. Document unanticipated
outcomes of the use of value capture instruments.

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 can participatory forms of decision-making improve (or hinder) the use of value capture
instruments?
6. CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENTAL RISK, AND URBAN LAND USE
Proposals related to this topic will be jointly evaluated and funded by the Department of Planning
and Urban Form and the Program on Latin America and the Caribbean. For this reason, research
proposals on this topic must be presented in English.
Increasing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide contribute to extreme weather patterns. If these
emissions remain unabated, changes in global temperatures, sea level rise, and other
environmental impacts will have huge implications for human settlements and economic
activities. Latin America, like other regions, has experienced extreme weather events that caused
extensive damage. More research is needed to help the region prepare for, mitigate, and adapt to
these changing conditions and to assess the costs associated with the settlement of vulnerable
areas, both for the residents and for society. Such research would focus on plausible scenarios for
climate change impacts in general and the effects on land use in particular, with the understanding
that predictions are fraught with uncertainty. Research may also document what is already being
done in Latin America to address climate change, and identify the reasons for success or failure
of specific initiatives.
In this third year of offering support for research on this topic, we are particularly seeking
research on the following research theme:

Because the urban poor frequently live in hazard areas such as flood plains and steep slopes,
they are disproportionately vulnerable to environmental risks that will likely be exacerbated
by climate change. One option is to permanently relocate settlements to safer locations, but
where this is not feasible, risks need to be mitigated through on-site measures that may
include temporary evacuation during hazard events. Evaluate the effectiveness of alternative
adaptive strategies, policies, and programs to promote community resilience, including public
safety and health, social inclusion, and economic viability.
7. NOTEWORTHY INSTRUMENTS FOR URBAN INTERVENTION
This third request for research on noteworthy instruments for urban intervention responds to the
interest expressed by the audience who attended the Foro Latinoamericano sobre Instrumentos
Notables de Intervención Urbana, held in Quito, Ecuador in May 2013, and other similar events
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developed since. In these events 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 inspire policymakers in
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 with 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.
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 2015 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.
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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
35
40
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.
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 7, 2014
July 28, 2014
August 4, 2015
September, 2015
January 12, 2016
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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. Proposal on climate change must be submitted in English.
Remittance of proposals: Proposals must be received at the Lincoln Institute by July 7, 2014,
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 7, 2014 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:







Clearly state the purpose and objectives of the research, highlighting the main question to
be addressed;
Give the conceptual framework that informs the research, specifying precedents in the
literature;
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;
Indicate your own prior research experience in analyzing the proposed topic;
Explain the potential relevance of the research outcome, the expected results, their
application and dissemination strategy;
Specify the role of each participant in the research team: responsibilities and tasks
assigned to the lead researcher and to each research collaborator;
Describe partnership arrangements, if any. For example, collaboration with academic
institutions, government agencies, private firms, civil society organizations, and/or
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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 curriculum vitae 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.
 How flexible is the word count for each section? Not at all. You must adhere to the
specified word count or your proposal will not be accepted.
 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
14


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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