Land administration

About: Land administration is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1956 publications have been published within this topic receiving 23783 citations.

Land policies for growth and poverty reduction

Abstract: Land policies are of fundamental importance to sustainable growth, good governance, and the well-being of, and the economic opportunities open to, both rural and urban dwellers - particularly the poor. To this end, research on land policy, and analysis of interventions related to the subject, have long been of interest to the Bank's Research Department, and other academic, and civil society institutions. The report aims to strengthen the effectiveness of land policy in support of development, and poverty reduction, by setting out the results of recent research in a way that is accessible to a wide audience of policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, academics in the Bank's client countries, donor agency officials, and the broader development community. Its main message rests on three principles: 1) provision of secure tenure to land improves the welfare of the poor, particularly by enhancing the asset base of those whose land rights are often neglected, and, creates incentives needed for investment, paramount to sustainable economic growth; 2) facilitation of land exchange, and distribution, whether as an asset or for current services, at low cost, through markets, and non-market channels, will expedite land access by productive, but land-poor producers, so that once economic growth improves, financial markets would rely on the use of land as collateral; and, 3) governments' contribution to the promotion of socially desirable land allocation, and utilization. The report discusses mechanisms to promote tenure security, demonstrates the importance of rental market transactions, arguing the removal of impediments to these can generate equity advantages, and positive investments. It also illustrates mechanisms, ranging from taxation, to regulation and land use planning to address these issues.

Land Policies and Farm Productivity in Thailand

Abstract: This study assesses the economic implications of land ownership security in rural Thailand. It uses data from this country to rigorously analyze several aspects of land ownership security. It provides both qualitative and quantiative information on the effects of ownership security. The study presents a conceptual model and literature review and is followed by separate discussions on the evolution of land rights in Thailand; the study methodology and the nature of the data; and the credit market. A formal model of land acquisition and ownership security underlies the empirical discussions presented in subsequent chapters on land values; capital formation and land improvements; and, input use and farm productivity. The impact of usufruct certificates is then assessed, and is followed by an analysis of the benefits and costs of land titling. The study demonstrates and concludes that land ownership security in Thailand has a substantial impact on farmers' agricultural performance.

Land Administration for Sustainable Development

Abstract: SUMMARY For more than three decades, Ian Williamson, Stig Enemark, and Jude Wallace have been fascinated by land issues. Five years ago Ian and Stig decided to document their lives’ work in the land-related field. Both have a strong cadastral background with Ian having strength in institutions, particularly in the English speaking world, and Stig bringing knowledge of European systems with a focus on land management. They recognized the need for a strong legal perspective, which was provided by Jude, who has spent a lifetime working as a land policy lawyer. All recognized the need for solid technical support, with the expertise provided by Abbas Rajabifard, who has many years of experience in spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and geographic information systems (GIS). The end result is a book titled “Land administration for Sustainable Development” with all authors taking responsibility for the entire text. After a five year journey the book was published by ESRI Press in early 2010. This paper overviews the philosophy of the authors as they explore the concept of land administration for sustainable development. The result is a practical treatise with a strong and universal theoretical foundation that explores the systems that administer the ways people relate to land. The authors believe their experiences are equally of use to both less developed and developed countries. This global context necessitated a holistic view of land administration as a central component of the land management paradigm. The authors have used this paradigm as the theoretical basis for delivering a holistic approach to LAS in support of sustainable development. While the authors recognize that all countries or jurisdictions are unique and have their own needs, they propose ten principles of land administration that are applicable to all countries. Key themes promoted by the authors include the adoption of a toolbox of best practices for designing LAS with general, professional, and emerging tools that are tailored to specific country needs. Also, there is a focus on using common land administration processes as a key to understanding and improving systems. The authors explore the relationship between land administration and land markets, the central economic driver for most countries. The authors conclude by emphasizing the importance of land administration to the spatial enablement of society, where government uses place or location as the key means of organizing information related to activities ranging from health, transportation, and the environment to immigration, taxation, and defense.

Who Owns China's Land? Policies, Property Rights and Deliberate Institutional Ambiguity

Abstract: "In many cases land leases are issued by the administrative village, while the land belonged to the natural village in the past. It is like the ownership rights to land have been silently stolen from the natural village and vested in a level higher. [...] Yet, to date there are not many conflicts, because farmers are not well imbued with the idea of “property.” But problems are sure to arise in the future ..." This statement by a senior official within the Ministry of Agriculture aptly captures one of the most sensitive issues confronting the Chinese state: rural land ownership. Around the time that the Revised Land Administration Law came into effect on 1 January 1999, a stream of writings about rural land policies and management have been published by Western social scientists. These can be divided into categories of research on the loss of agricultural land and investigations into the relation between land tenure and use (in terms of cultivation, management and investment).