Land Administration and Registration

▪ Course Code: GeES

▪ 4013 Credit
▪ Hours/ECTS: 3/5 Pre
▪ requisite- Applied GIS
By: Tesfay Legesse
MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing
MSc in Urban Infrastructure provision and Management
Email: [email protected]
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 CHAPTER ONE
CONCEPTS OF LAND AND LAND MANAGEMENT
1.1. Basic Concepts of Land
▪ Land refers to the Earth's physical surface and its associated resources,
encompassing soil, water, vegetation, and minerals. It is a finite and non-
renewable resource critical for human survival, economic development, and
ecosystem health.
❑Key characteristics of land include:
✓Scarcity: Fixed in supply, necessitating sustainable usage.
✓Diversity: Differing in quality and potential use across locations.
✓Interconnectivity: Impacts and is impacted by environmental and human
systems.
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1.2. Functions/Roles of Land
Cont …
1.2.1. Land as a Physical Entity

❑Land as a Physical Entity" generally refers to the physical and tangible aspects of land, such as its geographic
location, topography, soil composition, water resources, vegetation, and other natural features.

❑It considers land as a finite and immovable resource that forms part of the Earth's surface and is subject to
natural and human-induced changes.
✓ Provides the foundation for natural ecosystems and human activities.
✓ Acts as a base for agriculture, construction, transportation, and resource extraction.
✓ Physical properties (e.g., soil type, terrain, and climate) determine its suitability for various uses.
✓ A core factor of production influencing wealth creation and economic stability.
✓ Valued for its utility in agriculture, industry, real estate, and tourism.
✓ Provides income through leasing, sale, or production of goods and services.
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1.2.2. Land as an Economic Entity
❑"Land as an Economic Entity" refers to the concept of land being viewed and
utilized as a resource that has economic value and plays a significant role in
economic activities. It emphasizes the productive, financial, and marketable
aspects of land. Here are key points:
1.Productive Resource:
✓Land is a primary factor of production in agriculture, forestry, mining, and other
industries. Its fertility, location, and natural resources contribute to economic output.
2.Asset and Investment:
✓Land holds intrinsic monetary value and can be bought, sold, leased, or used as
collateral. It is often considered a long-term investment due to its appreciating value
over time.
3.Source of Income:
✓Land generates economic benefits through rent, farming, resource extraction, or
development for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.
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 Cont…
4. Market Influence:
✓The value and utilization of land are influenced by supply and demand, land-use
policies, zoning regulations, and economic conditions.

5. Economic Development:
✓The availability and quality of land are critical for infrastructure development,
urbanization, and industrialization, all of which drive economic growth.

6. Sustainability and Opportunity Cost:

✓Managing land sustainably ensures its long-term economic value. Misuse or over-
exploitation can lead to reduced productivity and lost opportunities.
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 Cotn…
1.2.3. Land as a Legal Entity

✓Governed by property rights and laws regulating ownership, transfer, and use.

✓Includes zoning, environmental regulations, and tenure systems to manage disputes.

✓Secure land tenure is essential for sustainable investment and development.

1.2.4. Land as a Cultural Entity

✓Represents heritage, identity, and spirituality in many societies.

✓Sacred sites, traditional farming practices, and communal land systems reflect its
cultural significance.

✓Land use often aligns with societal customs and norms.

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1.2.5. Land as a Source of Wealth and Economic Success
Cont…
• Land as a Source of Wealth and Economic Success" refers to the idea that land
plays a fundamental role in generating wealth and contributing to the economic
prosperity of individuals, communities, and nations. Here's what it entails:
i. Natural Resources:
▪ Land provides access to valuable natural resources such as minerals, oil, gas, forests, and
water, which can be exploited for economic gain.
ii. Agricultural Productivity:
▪ Fertile land supports agriculture, which is a primary source of food and raw materials,
contributing to economic stability and trade.
iii. Real Estate and Development:
▪ Land ownership and development drive wealth creation through residential, commercial,
and industrial real estate ventures. Property values often appreciate over time, adding to
economic success.
iv. Economic Activities:
▪ Land supports industries such as tourism, manufacturing, and energy production, making it
integral to diverse economic activities.
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v. Employment Opportunities:
▪ The utilization of land creates jobs in agriculture, construction, mining, and other sectors, boosting
livelihoods and economic success.

Vi. Wealth Distribution:

▪ Ownership and control of land often determine wealth distribution within societies. Equitable land
access can reduce poverty and enhance economic opportunities.

vii. Trade and Commerce:

▪ Land provides the space for markets, transport networks, and infrastructure necessary for trade and
economic interactions.

viii. Economic Growth:

▪ Sustainable land management and strategic utilization contribute to long-term economic growth and
national development.
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1.3. Integrated and Parametric Factors Affecting Land Utilization

▪ Land utilization is influenced by a complex interaction of natural, socio-economic, legal,

and environmental factors:

1.3.1. Physical Factors

✓Topography: Slope, elevation, and landform shape usability.

✓Soil: Fertility, texture, and structure impact agricultural productivity.

✓Climate: Rainfall, temperature, and wind patterns define potential uses.

✓Water Access: Proximity to water sources affects irrigation, industry, and habitation

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 Cotn…
1.3.2. Economic Factors
✓Market Demand: Determines the allocation of land for specific activities.

✓Infrastructure: Accessibility through roads, utilities, and facilities drives effective utilization.

✓Investment: Availability of financial resources supports land development.

1.3.3. Legal and Institutional Factors

✓Tenure Security: Ensures rights for users, encouraging sustainable practices.

✓Land Policies: Influence zoning, taxation, and conservation measures.

✓Institutions: Enable equitable access, dispute resolution, and efficient administration.

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1.3.4. Social and Cultural Factors

✓ Population Pressure: Urbanization and demographic growth increase demand.

✓ Cultural Norms: Shape communal and individual land use practices.

✓ Community Engagement: Involvement fosters sustainable management approaches.

1.3.5. Environmental Factors

✓ Ecosystem Balance: Overuse leads to degradation, requiring conservation measures.

✓ Climate Change: Alters land’s productivity and usability through extreme weather events.

✓ Biodiversity: Preservation is critical to maintaining ecological services.

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1.4. Land Management
▪ Land management involves the planning, administration, and regulation of land
resources to achieve sustainable use and development. It aims to balance economic,
social, and environmental needs while conserving land for future generations.

▪ Key principles of land management include:

✓ Sustainability: Ensuring that land use supports long-term ecological health and productivity.

✓ Equity: Providing fair access and benefits to all stakeholders, including marginalized communities.

✓ Efficiency: Optimizing land use to maximize benefits and minimize waste.

✓ Integrated Approaches: Coordinating across sectors (e.g., agriculture, urban development,

conservation).

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❑Major Components of Land Management

▪ Land management involves the planning, administration, and sustainable

use of land resources to achieve economic, environmental, and social
objectives.

▪ The major components of land management include:

1. Land Use Planning

✓determine the most efficient, sustainable, and equitable use of land.
• Activities:
• Zoning for agriculture, residential, commercial, industrial, or conservation purposes.
• Identifying areas for infrastructure development.
• Balancing urbanization with environmental conservation.
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 2. Land Tenure and Ownership

▪ establish clear rights to land ownership and usage.

▪ Activities:
✓Defining land ownership systems (private, communal, state-owned).
✓Resolving land disputes.
✓Strengthening property rights for security and investment
3. Land Administration
▪ manage legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks governing land.
• Activities:
✓Maintaining land records and cadastral systems.
✓Registration of ownership and transactions.
✓Implementing land policies and taxation
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4. Soil and Water Management

▪ ensure sustainable use and preservation of soil and water resources.

• Activities:
✓Soil conservation practices (e.g., terracing, afforestation).
✓Irrigation management and water harvesting.
✓Mitigating erosion, salinization, and desertification.

5. Environmental and Ecological Management

▪ maintain biodiversity and ensure environmental sustainability.

• Activities:
✓Protecting natural habitats and ecosystems.
✓Restoring degraded land.
✓Implementing
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sustainable forestry, agriculture, and mining practices.
By Tesfay Legesse 15
6. Urban and Rural Land Development
▪ promote balanced development between urban and rural areas.
• Activities:
✓ Urban planning for housing, roads, and utilities.
✓ Rural development initiatives for agriculture and livelihoods.
✓ Ensuring access to basic services and infrastructure

7.Disaster Risk Management

▪ reduce vulnerability to natural disasters.
• Activities:
✓ Mapping and monitoring disaster-prone areas.
✓ Implementing land-use policies to avoid hazardous zones.
✓ Restoring land after disasters (e.g., landslides, floods)
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8. Monitoring and Evaluation

▪ assess the effectiveness of land management practices.

• Activities:
✓Using geospatial tools (GIS, remote sensing) for tracking land use changes.
✓Evaluating land policies and making necessary adjustments.
✓Monitoring soil quality, water availability, and biodiversity.

9. Community Involvement and Governance

▪ ensure participatory decision-making and fair access to resources.

• Activities:
✓Engaging stakeholders in land use planning and management.
✓Promoting equitable land distribution and use.
✓Resolving conflicts through negotiation and mediation.
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Challenges in Land Management
❑Land management faces numerous challenges due to competing demands, resource
constraints, and environmental pressures. Below are some of the significant challenges

1. Land Tenure and Ownership Issues

✓Unclear or Conflicting Ownership Rights: Disputes arise from overlapping claims, lack of
formal documentation, or poorly defined boundaries.

✓Inequitable Land Distribution: Inequalities in access to land lead to poverty, social

unrest, and reduced productivity.

✓Weak Governance: Inefficient or corrupt land administration systems hinder effective

land management.
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2. Urbanization and Population Growth
✓Urban Sprawl: Rapid urbanization consumes agricultural land, leading to
food insecurity and loss of green spaces.
✓Overcrowding and Informal Settlements: Unregulated land use results in
slums and inadequate infrastructure.
✓Infrastructure Strain: Growing populations place pressure on transport,
utilities, and housing.
3. Environmental Degradation
✓Deforestation and Habitat Loss: Unsustainable land-use practices destroy
biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems.
✓Soil Degradation: Erosion, salinization, and nutrient depletion reduce
agricultural productivity.
✓Water Scarcity: Overuse and pollution of water resources threaten
ecosystems
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4. Climate Change Impacts
• Extreme Weather Events: Floods, droughts, and landslides disrupt land
use and reduce its productivity.
• Rising Temperatures: Climate change affects soil fertility, water
availability, and biodiversity.
• Shifting Land Suitability: Changing climatic conditions alter land-use
potential, requiring adaptive planning

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• 5. Land-Use Conflicts
✓Competing Demands: Tensions arise between agricultural, industrial, residential, and
conservation needs.
✓Resource Exploitation: Over-mining, overgrazing, and unsustainable agriculture
degrade land resources.
✓Displacement: Infrastructure and development projects often displace communities
without fair compensation
6. Weak Institutional Capacity
✓Poor Land Policies: Inadequate or outdated policies fail to address modern
challenges.
✓Lack of Data and Technology: Insufficient use of GIS, remote sensing, and other tools
limits effective decision-making.
✓Inefficient Land Administration: Bureaucratic delays and corruption hinder land
management processes
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7. Financial Constraints
✓Limited Funding: Lack of investment in infrastructure, conservation, and technology affects
land management.
✓Cost of Sustainable Practices: Adopting eco-friendly approaches can be expensive for
stakeholders.
✓Dependence on External Aid: Over-reliance on international donors creates vulnerabilities

8. Cultural and Social Factors

✓Traditional Practices: Resistance to modern land management techniques due to cultural
norms.
✓Land-Use Injustice: Marginalized groups (e.g., women, indigenous peoples) are often excluded
from land access and decision-making.
✓Conflicts: Political instability and disputes over land exacerbate management difficulties
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9. Rapid Technological and Industrial Changes
✓Changing Land Use: Rapid industrialization alters traditional land-use patterns.
✓Technology Gaps: Lack of access to modern technologies affects resource planning and
utilization.
✓Digital Divide: Unequal access to land data systems creates inefficiencies
10. Lack of Community Participation
✓Exclusion from Decision-Making: Communities often lack a voice in land-use planning.
✓Resistance to Change: Stakeholders may oppose reforms due to misinformation or
distrust.
✓Conflict of Interests: Differing priorities between communities, governments, and
private entities
❑Addressing these challenges requires integrated policies, inclusive planning,
sustainable practices, and strong governance to balance economic growth,
environmental conservation, and social equity.
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Conclusion
▪ Land is a vital resource with diverse functions and roles, ranging from
physical and economic to cultural and legal.

▪ Effective land management integrates these aspects, addressing the

challenges of limited resources, competing demands, and environmental
concerns.

▪ A sustainable approach ensures equitable access, productivity, and

resilience for present and future generations.
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 End of the chapter

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 CHAPTER TWO
LAND POLICIES AND LAND ADMINISTRATION

2.1. Land Administration Concepts

❑Land administration refers to the processes and institutions involved in managing land
rights, use, value, and development. It includes the legal, technical, and institutional
frameworks that govern land ownership, allocation, and utilization.

❑Key Objectives of Land Administration:

➢ Ensuring security of land tenure.
➢ Promoting equitable access to land.
➢ Supporting sustainable land use and development.
➢ Facilitating efficient land markets and taxation systems.
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 Cont…
❑ Components of Land Administration:

1. Legal Framework: Defines land rights, ownership, and transfer processes.

2. Institutional Arrangements: Includes agencies responsible for land registration,

planning, and dispute resolution.

3. Technical Tools: GIS, cadastral systems, and databases for mapping and record-
keeping.

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2.2. Land Policy
❑ Land policy refers to the set of principles, rules, and guidelines established by a
government or organization to regulate the ownership, use, management, and
development of land resources within a country or region. It serves as a framework for
ensuring the sustainable, equitable, and efficient use of land to meet the economic,
social, and environmental objectives of a society.

❑ Key Objectives of Land Policies:

✓ Enhance equitable access to land resources.
✓ Promote sustainable land use and environmental conservation.
✓ Resolve conflicts related to land ownership and use.
✓ Foster economic growth and poverty alleviation.

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 Cont…
❑Types of Land Policy

1.Agricultural Land Policy

✓Focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring access for farmers.
2.Urban Land Policy
✓Addresses urbanization challenges, including zoning, housing, and infrastructure.
3.Environmental Land Policy
✓Aims to protect natural resources and ecosystems.
4.Customary Land Policy
✓Recognizes traditional land ownership and management systems, often in indigenous
or rural areas.

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2.3. The Concepts of Land Tenure
❑ Land tenure refers to the rights individuals or groups have to own, use, and transfer land.
It determines how land is accessed, controlled, and utilized within a society.

2.3.1. Land Tenure Systems

1. Private Tenure: Individual or corporate ownership of land.
2. Communal Tenure: Land shared and managed collectively by a community.
3. State Tenure: Land owned and managed by the government.
4. Open Access: Land without specific ownership, available for use by all.

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2.3.2. Informal, Formal, and Customary Tenures
▪ Informal Tenure: Lacks legal recognition but exists based on social arrangements.
Common in slums and informal settlements.

▪ Formal Tenure: Legally documented and recognized ownership, providing security and
rights.

▪ Customary Tenure: Based on traditional norms and practices, often managed by local or
tribal leaders.

2.3.3. Land Tenure Management

▪ Establishing clear property rights.

▪ Resolving conflicts related to ownership and use.

▪ Supporting equitable access and sustainable practices.

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 2.4. Concepts and Technologies that Support Secure Land Tenure
❑Secure land tenure ensures individuals and communities have legally recognized and
enforceable rights to land.

• Key Concepts:
▪ Cadastral Systems: Comprehensive records of land parcels, ownership, and boundaries.
▪ Land Registration: Formal documentation of ownership and rights.
▪ Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI): Integrated tools and data for mapping and analyzing
land information.
▪ Technologies Supporting Secure Tenure:
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Satellite Imagery for land mapping.
• Blockchain for transparent and immutable
1/3/2025 land records.
By Tesfay Legesse 32
2.5. Land Governance
❑ Land governance refers to the processes, policies, and institutions that regulate land use,
access, and management.

• Principles of Good Land Governance:

✓ Transparency and accountability in decision-making.
✓ Inclusive participation of stakeholders.
✓ Fairness in land distribution and conflict resolution.
✓ Effective enforcement of laws and policies.

• Challenges in Land Governance:

✓ Corruption in land administration.
✓ Conflicts over ownership and access.
✓ Weak institutional capacity.
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2.6. Land Administration Systems
❑Land administration systems (LAS) provide the framework for managing land
information and processes.

❑ Functions of LAS:
1. Land Tenure: Recording and securing land rights.
2. Land Value: Assessing and managing land valuation for taxation.
3. Land Use: Regulating zoning, planning, and sustainable utilization.
4. Land Development: Supporting infrastructure and economic growth.

❑ Components of LAS:
✓ Legal infrastructure (laws and policies).
✓ Institutional setup (land agencies and courts).
✓ Technological tools (databases, GIS,Byand
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remote sensing).
Tesfay Legesse 34
2.7. Land Administration Functions
1. Land Use
✓ Planning and regulating land for agriculture, urbanization, and conservation.
✓ Zoning policies and spatial planning are central to this function.

2. Land Value
✓ Determining land valuation for taxation and market transactions.
✓ Influenced by location, infrastructure, and demand.

3. Land Development
✓ Facilitating projects like housing, roads, and utilities.
✓ Balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

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 2.8. The Role of Land Administration in Support of Sustainable Development
❑Land administration plays a critical role in achieving the goals of sustainable development
by:
✓ Reducing Poverty: Ensures secure land tenure, supporting livelihoods and economic
opportunities.
✓ Promoting Equality: Facilitates equitable access to land and resources.
✓ Supporting Environmental Conservation: Regulates land use to protect ecosystems
and biodiversity.
✓ Enabling Economic Growth: Provides the foundation for infrastructure development
and investment.
✓ Fostering Resilience: Addresses land-related risks, such as climate change and natural
disasters, through sustainable practices.

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Conclusion:

▪ Effective land administration and governance are foundational to equitable,

sustainable, and resilient development.

▪ By integrating legal, institutional, and technological frameworks, societies can

ensure secure land tenure, efficient resource use, and harmonious land
management.

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 End of the chapter
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