A toolbox for mapping and managing new interests over land

Abstract

The drive for sustainable development has led governments to create new interests over land. The role of cadastral and registration systems in the mapping and management of these new interests is unclear. Whilst these systems have always played an important role in the administration of land parcels and ownership, the new land interests are increasingly being mapped and managed elsewhere. As a result administrative inefficiencies and transaction complexities are growing. Existing cadastral and registration systems have the capacity to improve the situation; however, a guiding framework for their inclusion is needed. This paper introduces a framework of principles that articulate the roles of cadastres and registration systems in the management of new land interests. Importantly the framework is holistic and reflects other components essential to good land administration. These include the roles of land policy, legislation, flexible tenures, institutions, spatial data infrastructures and capacity building. The principles will systematize the management of land interests across different jurisdictions.