CHAPTER 3
SPOTLIGHT ON
ROADS TO DEVELOPMENT SDG 9
Transport connectivity is a critical factor for social and economic development. It boosts economic growth and competitiveness, as well as inclusion by facilitating access for billions of people to jobs, markets and essential services such as healthcare or education. Within the SDGs, safe, efficient, resilient and reliable transport infrastructure is central to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastruc- ture), helps community well-being under SDG 11 (Sustain- able Cities and Communities) and health and safety under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). Beyond these direct effects, transport infrastructure is also a critical enabler for the achievement of many other SDGs, such as access to basic services under SDG 1 (No Poverty), farmer access to inputs and markets under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and economic growth and access to employment opportunities under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
ture encourages both domestic and foreign investment. For example, roads, ports and airports are vital for attracting industries, trade and tourism. Well-developed transport systems can reduce regional disparities by linking poorer areas with centers of economic activity, fostering more equitable growth. As roads connect goods to markets and people to jobs, schools, hospitals and other essential services, they are an essential building block of develop- ment (Berg, Deichmann & Selod, 2015). Their connecting role is also recognized as contributing to greater social mobility and quality of life, as well as to reduced social and economic exclusion and marginalization (cf. Stanley and Stanley, 2017). Extensive research confirms the importance of rural roads in promoting the growth of rural businesses, increasing earnings, enhancing productivity, creating jobs and boosting consumption. Roads also contribute to poverty alleviation and bring additional household benefits, such as better education and health outcomes, particularly for women and girls. The effects of improved transport networks include lowering trade costs, accelerating firm growth, improving agricultural productivity and farm and non-farm production, enhancing competition, increasing welfare and reducing poverty, expanding trade, in addi- tion to allowing workers to commute. According to a study which explored the connection between transportation infrastructure, population distribution and agricultural output in Sub-Saharan Africa, a 10 percent reduction in
Efficient transportation systems enable the movement of goods and services, reduce transaction costs and allow access to markets. In addition, good transport infrastruc-
4 Relevant studies include Lokshin and Yemtsov, 2005; Bryceson and Howe, 1993; Donaldson, 2018; Martincus et al., 2013; Datta, 2012; Lu, 2018; Levy, 1996; Aggarwal et al, 2018; Binswanger et al, 1993; Asturias et al, 2019; Brooks et al, 2021; Ali et al, 2015; Gonzalez-Navarro and Quintana-Domeque, 2016; Buys et al, 2010; Martincus and Blyde, 2013; Asher and Novosad, 2020; Foster et al., 2023; Dorosh et al., 2012.
5 See Sieber and Allen, 2016
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