The publication contains a series of guidelines that seek to promote the development of competitive, inclusive and sustainable industrial parks through a comprehensive reference framework. They have been designed to be practical and with specific objectives to support industrial park decision-making, improve industrial park efficiency, enhance industrial park competitiveness, promote industrial park sustainability, and ensure industrial park inclusiveness.

The guidelines are based on an extensive literature review, along with earlier UNIDO studies, tools and technical cooperation projects, supplemented by information from field visits, discussions with park managers and regulators, industrial park best practices in Ethiopia, Peru and China, as well as on feedback from an expert group review drawn from UN agencies, DFIs, Banks, Academia, and consulting firms. The recommendations contained in these guidelines are relevant to both new and existing industrial parks, can be used in all the development stages and for various types of industrial parks. Lastly, the guidelines address various aspects, including industrial park planning and design, construction, operations, marketing and investment promotion, waste management, and energy management.

The publication was prepared by UNIDO's Cross-Disciplinary Team on Industrial Parks by combining UNIDO's technical experience with international best practices.