ADB warns of risks of improper placement of infrastructure facilities

Selecting the right location for infrastructure facilities is crucial for the effectiveness of long-term investments, Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, head of the Asian Development Bank's Country Office in Azerbaijan, said at an event during the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

She noted that Earth observation data makes it possible to identify risky areas, including flood-prone zones.

However, even in countries with such data, the information is often fragmented across different institutions, which can lead to errors in selecting infrastructure sites, she added.

"Sometimes cities tend to choose the cheapest location rather than the most suitable one. From a long-term infrastructure investment perspective, choosing the right location is crucial," she emphasized.

Durrani-Jamal noted that proper land-use planning is particularly important in infrastructure design, especially when locating water treatment and sewerage plants in areas prone to natural disasters.