Guidelines For The Improvement Of Land Registration And Land Information Systems In Developing Countries

Prepared under the auspices of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE), this book is designed both as a practical handbook for use by land administrators and managers, and as a reference for trainees. The authors take a broad approach beginning with a discussion of the different types of cadastral surveys--those concerned with the extent, value, and ownership of land. They continue with sections on surveying, the handling of data, and the economics and management of land information systems. The book is aimed especially at the developing world, where resources available to acquire and manage land information may be limited.

The role of property in fostering good governance, robust economies, and strong civil societies has received fresh attention in the wake of the collapse of communism, the adoption of a market driven approach to the economy, and the increasing impact of information technology. Some of these reforms have focused on a diverse package of measures dealing with land tenure security, land and property transactions, and access to credit. They have also been concerned with supporting physical planning, the sustainable management and control of land use and of natural resources, and facilitating real property taxation. As well, there has been a growing awareness of the requirement to address such issues as the protection of the environment and the provision of land for all people whatever their gender, but especially for the poor and ethnic minorities. Land Administration provides a high level overview of recent advances in building formal property systems throughout the world and reviews the role of property in advancing a society's economic and social agenda. It undertakes an in-depth examination of the land administration infrastructure required to support these modern property systems, giving particular attention to the survey, registration, valuation, and land use control functions. The text also provides an extended discussion of the information management challenges associate with the land administration field.

This book departs from the contention that one barrier for land registration in developing countries is excessive requirements of information. The problem in conventional land administration is an implicit assumption of full information, which can be pursued in rich countries and which is consolidated by the modern information technology. Instead, this book argues, procedures for land reform and registration in developing countries must operate on in-complete information. The key is decentralisation and iteration; in practice more field-based decision taking. The arguments are illustrated by examples from Danish land reform and other international experience. The scope of the book ranges from from practical land registration to conceptual issues and the debate on land registration in development assistance. The presentation is aimed at students and professionals in land administration disciplines and researchers and professionals in the development community who have become involved in land related projects.

Through its presentation of a holistic view of land management for sustainable development, this text outlines basic principles of land administration applicable to all countries and their divergent needs.

This paper attempts to define and assess the various institutional and mechanical elements which constitute a land management system and which have a significant impact on the functioning of land markets. The assumption of this report is that the accumulation over time of different institutions and instruments, which have relfected different priorities and policies, has inhibited the efficient and equitalbe operation of land markets and that reforms of institutions and policies are now urgently needed. (Adapté du résumé des auteurs).

Foreword. Nature and scope. Overview of the planning process. Steps in land-use planning. Methods and sources.