e-Learning course on Appraising the wider Economic Benefits of Transport Corridor Investments

The course reviews case studies of past and recent corridor initiatives, provides rigorous analysis of the literature on the spatial impact of corridors, and offers assessments of corridor investment projects supported by international development organizations. A series of spotlights examines such issues as private sector co-investment; the impacts of corridors on small enterprises and women; and issues with implementing cross-border corridors.

The course aims to introduce its participants to a sound empirical methodology that could ensure that the social and economic benefits of transport corridor investments are more widely and equitably spread, and possible negative impacts such as congestion, environmental degradation, and other risks or unintended consequences are minimized or avoided.

The appraisal perspective and methodology introduced in this course shows how the web of interconnected elements around corridors can be disentangled and the most promising corridor proposals—the ones with the greatest wider economic benefits (WEB)—can be selected.

Week 1: Why are Transport Corridors Important for Development?* __ *

In this module we will discuss the importance of transport corridors for development, and why it is critical to focus from the beginning on the ultimate goals of generating wider economic benefits when designing large transport infrastructure. We will also discuss a conceptual framework to appraise holistically project proposals for transport corridors.

Week 2: How to Design a Successful Corridor in Practice?* __ *

In this module we will learn from the experience of five large transport corridors around the world. We will use these projects as case studies to illustrate the proposed conceptual framework that we described in the Week 1 .

We are going to focus on the following corridors: Japan’s Pacific Belt Zone Initiative; Vietnam’s National Highway No. 5; Malaysia’s Northern Corridor Economic Region; Europe’s high speed train projects; and Thailand’s transport infrastructure.

Week 3: What do We Learn from the Hard Evidence on Corridors?* __ *

In this module we will gain insight from two large analyses into country characteristics, design and implementation characteristics as well as complementary policies and institutions associated with wider economic benefits of transport corridors investments.

This will Improve policy makers’ understanding of the multiple impacts of transport corridor investments, including the trade-offs that the investments may give rise to.

This module will also present anecdotal evidence about the impact of highways on women and on micro, small, and medium enterprises in South Asia based on focus group discussions held by the World Bank in Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka.

Week 4: An Illustrative Appraisal of Corridor Projects* __ *

This module presents a framework to appraise large transport infrastructure projects in South Asia and beyond. As an illustration, it focuses on India’s Golden Quadrilateral and North-South-East-West highway systems.

Policy makers are increasingly interested in appraising large transport infrastructure proposals using rigorous methods beyond a simple cost-benefit analysis. They want these appraisals to be comprehensive and cover the “wider economic benefits” of these investments

Week 5: Financing Corridor Projects/Programs* __ *

In this module we will discuss various financing modalities for transport corridors, the need for commercial financing and how the state can support it, and challenges of financing cross-border and trans-regional transport corridors.

We will also discuss private investment in corridor infrastructure and the role of the business environment to support a solid engagement of the private sector.

We will continue by learning from the challenges of public-private partnership for transport infrastructure in South Asia and potential areas for improvement.

Week 6: Implementation Challenges of Transport Corridors* __ *

In this module we will learn about some practical challenges that could arise during the preparation and implementation of transport corridor programs.

First, we will highlight some challenges related to preparing regional projects, based on the experience of Sava Waterways Rehabilitation Program, in Southeast Europe.

Second, we will highlight some potential risks associated with the influx of foreign labor and service providers when transport corridors are built and the lessons learned from a road project in Uganda.