ROLE OF LAND BANKING IN REAL ESTATE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF ABUJA

Abstract

Land banking is increasingly recognized as a strategic tool for managing urban growth, stabilizing real estate markets, and facilitating access to land for development. Based on the foregoing, this study investigated the role, prospects, influencing factors, and constraints of land banking in Abuja, Nigeria, focusing on its impact on real estate and urban development. A quantitative survey research design was adopted, targeting 256 real estate developers registered with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN). Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using frequency, percentages and weighted mean scores. Findings revealed that private, government, and public-private partnership (PPP) land banks are the most prevalent models in Abuja, while community-based and institutional land banks are less common. Furthermore, the research revealed that the key roles of land banking include facilitating affordable land access, supporting long-term urban planning, reducing speculation, and promoting housing delivery. In addition, factors influencing land banking include government policies, infrastructure availability, urbanization, access to financing amongst others, while major constraints include bureaucratic delays, corruption, high land costs, and tenure insecurity. The study concluded that effective land banking can enhance organized urban growth and real estate development but requires strong regulatory frameworks, improved institutional capacity, and coordinated planning. Hence, the research recommended the optimization of land banking practices with a view to achieving sustainable urban development in Abuja.