The Bogor declaration for cadastral reform

Abstract

An Inter-Regional Meeting of Experts on Cadastre was held in Bogor, Indonesia, in March 1996, with the primary objective being "to develop a document setting out the desirable requirements and options for cadastral systems of developing countries in the Asia and Pacific region and to some extent globally".

A number of important issues arose from the meeting. First, the basic justification for a cadastral system was agreed on, being for economic development, environmental management and social stability. In rural areas cadastral systems are important for promoting increased investment in agriculture, and in urban areas, to support an active land and real estate market. It was recognised that all countries have individual needs and requirements, but that countries at similar stages of development have some similarities in their requirements.

Secondly, the meeting recognised that the key to a successful cadastral system is one where the three main cadastral processes of adjudication of land rights, land transfer and mutation (subdivision and consolidation), are undertaken efficiently, securely and at a reasonable cost and speed, in support of an efficient and effective land market.

Key cadastral issues were also discussed and in particular, it was agreed that "the success of a cadastral system is not dependent on its legal or technical sophistication, but whether it protects land rights adequately and permits those rights to be traded (where appropriate) efficiently, simply, quickly, securely and at low cost".