Land Acquisition Research Articles

Globalization and Conflicts: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Corporations in Africa

Abstract Using a novel georeferenced datataset on the affiliates and headquarters of multinational enterprises between 2007 and 2018 together with georeferenced conflict data for the African continent, this work establishes a causal link between the activities of multinational enterprises and violent conflicts: multinationals’ activity increases the number of conflicts. This applies particularly to sectors intense in scarce resources, especially land. As farming is the primary source of food and income for Africans, land-intensive activity on the part of the multinationals increases local grievance, escalating to violent actions. These effects are magnified in areas targeted for large-scale land acquisitions.

Agrarian Conflicts After the Establishment of the Land Bank Agency in Indonesia

The establishment of the Land Bank in Indonesia may lead to conflicts of interest and the existence of customary land may be forgotten for reasons of land stateisation. The process of acquiring customary land for reasons of stateisation may affect the legal protection of indigenous peoples' rights. This article examines agrarian conflicts after the establishment of the Land Bank Agency and the legal protection of indigenous peoples' land. This research is examined using the normative juridical method with a statutory approach. The results of the study found that the concept of the Land Bank is in contrast to agrarian reform in terms of land acquisition operations, because land can be obtained through the transfer of land ownership by the state which is intended for investment and infrastructure development. The government needs to improve the land sector Job Creation Law and the legal regulations of the Land Bank, the government must revise the rules related to the Land Bank so that this institution can maintain a balance of land utilisation for various interests fairly. The Land Bank should be a representative of the state to protect vulnerable groups of people, one of which is indigenous peoples. Then the community must be pro-active in applying for a Material Test on articles that have negative potential, especially the regulation of land stateisation in the Job Creation Law and the legal rules regarding the Land Bank in an effort to consolidate guarantees and justifications for land rights over indigenous peoples.

Using the R Package, nsink, to assess landscape N removal in coastal catchments

Background Excess nitrogen (N) loading to coastal ecosystems impairs estuarine water quality. Land management decisions made within estuarine watersheds have a direct impact on downstream N delivery. Natural features within watersheds can act as landscape sinks for N, such as wetlands, streams and ponds that transform dissolved N into gaseous N, effectively removing it from the aquatic system. Identifying and evaluating these landscape sinks and their spatial relationship to N sources can help managers understand the effects of alternative decisions on downstream resources. Methods The N-Sink approach uses widely available GIS data to identify landscape sinks within HUC-12 (or larger) catchments, estimate their N removal potential and map the effect of those sinks on N movement through the catchment. Static maps are produced to visualize N removal efficiency, transport and delivery, the latter in the form of an index. The R package nsink was developed to facilitate data acquisition, processing and visualization. Results nsink creates static maps for a specific HUC-12, or users can visit the University of Connecticut website to explore previously mapped areas. Users can investigate specific flowpaths interactively by clicking on any location within the catchment. A flowpath is generated with a table describing N removal along each segment. We describe the motivation behind developing nsink, discuss implementation in R, and present two use case examples. nsink is available from https://github.com/USEPA/nsink. Conclusions N-Sink is a decision support tool created for local decision-makers and NGOs to facilitate better understanding of the relationship between land use and downstream N delivery. Local decision-makers that have prioritized N mitigation in their long-term planning can use nsink to better understand the potential impact of proposed development projects, zoning variances, and land acquisition or restoration. nsink also allows resource economists to investigate the tradeoffs among different, often costly, N reduction strategies.

Analisis perhitungan dan pencatatan penerimaan Bea Perolehan Hak atas Tanah dan Bangunan di Badan Pendapatan Daerah Kabupaten Minahasa

Land and Building Acquisition Fee (or BPHTB) is an important source of regional income to support development in Minahasa Regency. This research aims 1) To find out the calculation of fees for acquiring land and building rights at the Regency Regional Revenue Agency Minahasa. 2) To find out the system for recording fees for acquiring rights to land and buildings at the Regency Regional Revenue Agency Minahasa. The data analysis method used in this research is the descriptive analysis method with data collection methods, namely interviews and documentation. The research results show that the calculation of BPHTB is carried out after the NPOP is determined as the basis for taxation minus the Non-Taxable Tax Object Acquisition Value (NPOPTKP) of IDR 60,000,000 for each taxpayer and IDR 300,000,000 for rights due to inheritance or testamentary grants. Then multiplied by a rate of 5%. The calculation has been carried out in accordance with the regulations, namely Minahasa Regency Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2011 concerning Land and Building Acquisition Fees. Recording of BPHTB receipts is adjusted to the taxes received and recording is carried out through proof of deposit, which can be in the form of a Deposit Certificate (SKS) from a bank or bank statement, all payment data is then inputted into the application system digitally. The BPHTB transaction or receipt recording system uses the BPHTB application system which is integrated with the land registration service system by the National Land Agency (or BPN).

Tourism-induced land acquisition in protected areas: Land rent dynamics and state monopoly rent around the Wulingyuan world heritage site in China

Tension between nature conservation, green grabbing, land acquisition for tourism, and value grabbing highlight a significant yet understudied area: the underlying land rent mechanisms and the state's role in driving green land acquisition for tourism. Using Marxian land rent theory, we explored how ‘state monopoly rent’ is produced by tourism-induced green land acquisition and the consequent displacement and resettlement of communities in and around the Wulingyuan World Heritage. State actors actively acquired land and land use rights for tourism development to maximise the rent gap despite, and perhaps because of, national nature conservation priorities and restrictions. State actors are a key player in the political economy of tourism by directly capitalizing on potential land rent in China.

Addressing the Impediments to the Perfection of Land Title in Nigeria: A Comparative Discourse with England

Land is an essential natural resource endowed by nature and deposited all over the world for the survival and well-being of humanity. In Nigeria, land control is vested in each federation state's Governor. The Federal Government controls the ownership and exploitation of mineral deposits irrespective of where the mineral deposits may be located. There is often contention about the rights of individual citizens, families, and communities in land ownership. The question of trespassing has often been a subject of litigation in Nigerian courts for decades with the advent of commerce and trade. The primary objective of this article is to examine land ownership, land allocation, and how the certificate of occupancy and Governor's consent affect land ownership, lease, and purchase of land in Nigeria. This article proffers solutions to issues arising in Nigerians’ right to ownership of land. The methodology adopted in this article is essentially doctrinal, using primary sources such as law reports and statutes. The article also refers to secondary sources such as law textbooks, newspapers, and internet materials. It recommends comprehensive reforms toward easing land acquisition and minimising the incidence of trespass to land in Nigeria.

Analysis of Farmers’ Willingness to Land Transfer in Collective Land Construction Rental Housing Projects

The policy of using collective land to build rental housing was first implemented in 2017 in the context of the Chinese government’s proposal of “housing for living, not speculation”. However, due to the constraints of laws and regulations, the attitudes of local governments and social capital, and the attitudes of collective economic organizations, the progress of pilot projects varies from city to city. This paper selects the Nanjing Zhetang project and analyzes the factors affecting the willingness of rural households in the collective economic organizations to which the pilot project belongs to the land transfer through the framework of Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD). Finally, it is concluded that the strength of the collective economic organization of the pilot project, the traditional concept of land acquisition of farmers, and the concern of farmers about the unfair distribution of expected benefits jointly affect the attitude of farmers towards land transfer in the market. Finally, relevant suggestions are given to provide reference for other pilot projects in China.

Ratio Legis of the Deed of Sale and Purchase Agreement as an Object of Land and Building Acquisition Duty

This research attempts to unravel the various dynamics governing BPHTB. This research focuses on examining two issues, namely (1) the ratio legis of PPJB regulation as the object of BPHTB and the implications of PPJB as the object of BPHTB after the issuance of Law 1/22 which amended the previous BPHTB Law as a whole. In this paper, it is found that there are several reasons that make PPJB as the object of BPHTB, namely: (1) based on the social function of land based on the agrarian law regime, so that every acquisition of land rights is taxed which is used as a net regional income; (2) the imposition of BPHTB on PPJB as an increase in regional income; (3) from the nature of PPJB as a binding transaction and as a marker of a legal event which is then followed by the making of AJB as the basis for the acquisition of land rights. Second, the implications of BPHTB for the changes in the original regulation in the PDRD Law which was later revoked by the 2022 HKPD Law, have made several changes that affect the legal certainty of taxpayers in paying BPHTB. There is an antinomy in regulating the time payable and payment of BPHTB to the local government. The time payable arrangement as the basis for payment is made after the signing of the sale and purchase deed. However, the payment arrangement states otherwise, namely at the time the sale and purchase deed is signed. However, on the other hand, the regulation also requires the notary to request proof of payment before the signature of the sale and purchase deed. The difference in provisions on the time payable and the deadline for payment affects the legal certainty of the sale and purchase process, and is not in accordance with the meaning of BPHTB as a duty paid after the acquisition of land rights. In addition to the implications that arise for taxpayers, the above arrangements also affect the legal certainty of notaries / PPATs who carry out their duties which are overshadowed by sanctions if they sign the deed before BPHTB is paid in full. The research method used in this writing is normative juridical research method, using three types of approaches, namely historical approach, legislative approach and conceptual approach. The urgency of implementing tax collection on deeds of acquisition of land rights known as BPHTB is to emphasise the social function of land through tax collection carried out by the government. PHTB on PPJB is one of the sources of local revenue used to organise local government and third, namely from the nature of PPJB which is an agreement that binds both parties to the certainty of the transaction being carried out, as the initial act of the legal event of sale and purchase in question.

Typology Model Based Building and Land Infrastructure Structure Organization and Duties Bali Area Police

Polsek was a police station in the district that provides police services to the community. There are four types of Polsek, namely A, B, C, and D. Polsek in the Bali Area are 58 with types B and C. Polsek is expected to have adequate supporting infrastructure such as Integrated Police Service Center rooms, facilities for the disabled, children's playgrounds, breastfeeding rooms, detention cells, and parking, open spaces. However, the land area is only sometimes adequate. The analysis used interview methods, observation, literature studies, and SWOT analysis. The results show that Polsek's need for land Type B is 631.54 m2, and Type C is 377.14 m2. The SWOT analysis was in the strength and threat quadrant, so a policy is needed to evenly distribute the development of each Polsek type B and C, starting from land acquisition by the main tasks and functions of the police in serving the community.

Land acquisition and storage strategy and optimization of urban spatial layout

This article explores the relationship between land acquisition and storage strategies and optimization of urban spatial layout. By analyzing the current situation, challenges, and strategies for high-quality development requirements of land reserves, a logical approach for the preparation of land reserve planning has been proposed. Based on the actual case of Jinan City, Shandong Province, this paper summarizes the implementation effect of land reserve planning and looks forward to the future development direction.

Saving the Wild or Saving the Cowboy? Cultural Conflict between the Old and Nouveau West*

AbstractIn North Central Montana, a land‐based conflict centered on the environmental organization American Prairie sparked the formation of the “Save the Cowboy, Stop the American Prairie Reserve” Facebook page, attracting posts and comments from ranchers and members of the area's agriculture‐dependent communities. Despite Montana's rapid amenity migration and rural gentrification, this region has largely maintained its Old West culture. Consequently, Save the Cowboy members often express frustration about how American Prairie's large‐scale rewilding initiative and land acquisitions affect the region's rural communities. In this qualitative content analysis, concerns about preserving the Old West culture and avoiding the New West transformation dominated Save the Cowboy's Facebook posts and comments (N = 1,002), even compared to the ostensibly more concerning economic and ecological issues. By describing a social space marked by cultural antagonisms between Old West insiders and New West outsiders, this study points to the dangers of essentializing Old West‐New West conflicts. Illustrating how Old West insiders deploy their cultural capital to contest rural change, it also expands the Old West‐New West typology by proposing the term “Nouveau West” to capture how Old West insiders assert dominance by disparaging newcomers who lack the requisite knowledge of how things are done locally.

A comprehensive quantitative lifecycle cost and environmental impact analysis model for computing infrastructure

This paper presents a comprehensive quantitative model for quantitative assessment of the lifecycle costs and environmental impacts of computing infrastructure, with a focus on internet data centers (IDCs) and high-performance computing (HPC) facilities. The key innovation lies in the integration of interdisciplinary cost evaluation and carbon emission methods for the establishment of this quantitative model. This framework, which outlines key cost components and carbon emission factors, enables the calculation of total costs, electricity expenses, and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure. With IDCs as a case study, the research clarifies the intricate cost structure associated with equipment procurement, energy usage, land acquisition, and operational expenses. This paper provides an in-depth understanding of the cost structure and environmental impact of computing infrastructure in support of sustainable decision-making in its development.•Based on established cost estimation methods, such as Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) and the Analogous Estimating Method, this study examines costs across construction and operation phases.•The Emission Factor Method is used to quantify environmental impact, emphasizing the significance of regional energy mix and power usage effectiveness (PUE).

Living within the Watershed: Managing Urban Water Supply in a Growing Metropolis

London’s rapid population growth during the nineteenth century drove demand for larger volumes of higher-quality water. This gave rise to Parliamentary bills for large infrastructure projects to transfer water to London from outside the Thames watershed and for the transfer of private company assets to municipal management. Wales was the most frequently suggested source, as it was argued to have cleaner, softer, and more abundant water. London’s water companies favored using improved infrastructure, connected networks, and demand management. Despite substantial investment, London’s water company assets and responsibilities were transferred to the Metropolitan Water Board in 1904. Looking back in 1953, fifty years after it was formed to take over London’s water infrastructure, the Metropolitan Water Board noted that extensive acquisition of land for reservoirs and watershed protection by the water companies proved invaluable in securing a sustainable water supply for the metropolis a century later.

The Extent and Patterns of Digitalization in Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) Farms in South Africa

This study sought to develop an index for agricultural digitalization by applying composite confirmatory analysis (CCA). Another aim was to determine the factors that affect the development of digitalization in PLAS farms. Data on the indicators of the three dimensions of digitalization were collected from 300 Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) farms in South Africa using semi-structured questionnaires. Confirmatory composite analysis (CCA) was employed to reduce the items into three digitalization dimensions and ultimately to a digitalization index. Standardized digitalization index scores were extracted and fitted to a linear regression model to determine the factors affecting digitalization. The results revealed that the model shows practical validity and can be used to measure digitalization as measures of fit (geodesic distance, standardized root mean square residual, and squared Euclidean distance) were all below their respective 95%quantiles of bootstrap discrepancies (HI95 values). Therefore, digitalization is an emergent variable that can be measured using CCA. The average level of digitalization in PLAS farms was 0.02 and varied significantly across provinces. Although farmers have attempted to digitalise their farms, there are still minimal levels of digitalization in PLAS farms. The results further reveal different digitalization patterns. As judged by the estimated weights of various dimensions of digitalization, the use of digital technologies to collect, store, analyse, and disseminate (CSAD) farm-related data contributed more towards the digitalization index. The second most important component of digitalization was automation digitalization. In contrast, value chain digitalization was the least significant contributor. The factors that significantly influence digitalization were age, gender, farm type, network type, and cellular data type. Since PLAS farmers have not embraced much digitalization, it is important to focus on awareness and capacity building. A balanced approach to digitalization would benefit PLAS farms by ensuring that strategies to integrate digital solutions within the value chain are developed. To foster and support the digitalization in PLAS farms, policymakers and stakeholders should tailor their strategies to fit specific socioeconomic factors.

Key factors affecting project delivery system selection in the Chinese construction industry

This study aims to investigate the key factors owners consider when selecting a PDS, the importance degree of these factors, and the perception differences among owners, consultants, and contractors regarding these factors. Interviews and questionnaire surveys were used to determine the importance degree of each influencing factor. And perception differences of the influencing factors on PDS among the three subjects were calculated through SPSS 15.0. The findings show that the three subjects' perceptions of the importance degree of the economic attributes of the engineering project, engineering project complexity, sub-project construction interference degree, and delivery system preference were significantly different, while the perceptions of engineering project scale, investment control requirements, schedule requirements, quality requirements, risk preference, construction management capability, land acquisition, demolition and migration, construction site conditions, local policies and regulations, and construction market development level were insignificantly different. This research can help owners understand influencing factors on PDS selection from different dimensions. Valuable information was provided for owners to select an accurate and reasonable PDS, ultimately reducing project costs and facilitating project management. Additionally, this research complements previous research on PDS selection and proposes a new influencing factors framework by exploring the key factors affecting PDS selection and the perception differences between the three subjects.

Crypto/Space: Computational parasitism, virtual land grabs, and the production of Web3 Exit zones

This paper explores how so-called ‘Web3’ blockchain projects are materially and socially constituted. A blockchain is an append-only distributed database. The technology is being hyped as applicable for a whole range of industries, social service provisions, and as a fix for economic disparities in communities left behind by mainstream financial systems. Drawing on case studies from our ongoing research we explain how, despite being virtual, Web3 projects are dependent on clearly defined spaces of production from which they derive their speculative value. We conceptualise this relationship as Crypto/Space, where space and blockchain software are mutually constituted. We consider how Crypto/Spaces are produced in three ways: 1) how project developers are adopting a parasitic relationship with host locations to appropriate energy, infrastructure, and local resources; 2) how projects enable ‘virtual land grabs’ where developers are engaging in land acquisitions, and associated displacement of local people, with no real intention to use the land for the declared purpose; and 3) how blockchain technology and speculative finance imaginaries are inspiring new anarcho-capitalist crypto-utopian ‘Exit zones’, often in the Global South. Far from being a zero-sum virtual game world, we argue that cryptocurrency projects are parasitic, often requiring predation on poor and otherwise marginalised communities to appropriate resources, onboard new users and enable favourable regulation.

Critical Analysis on Land Grabbing as an Organized Crime

Abstract: Land grabbing has emerged as a critical issue in contemporary global discourse, significantly impacting socio-economic and environmental landscapes. This research examines the phenomenon of land grabbing, defined as the large-scale acquisition of land, often by foreign entities or corporations, which displaces local communities and disrupts traditional land use practices. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study analyses case studies from various regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, to uncover the underlying motivations and implications of land grabbing. The findings reveal that factors such as food security, resource scarcity, and economic development drive land acquisitions, frequently resulting in adverse effects on local populations, including loss of livelihoods and environmental degradation. Additionally, the research highlights the role of government policies and international trade agreements in facilitating land grabbing practices. The study underscores the need for robust legal frameworks and the active involvement of local communities in land governance to mitigate the negative impacts of land grabbing and promote sustainable development. Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of land grabbing as a complex interplay of economic interests, social justice, and environmental sustainability.

Can information transparency strengthen authoritarian accountability? An empirical study of open-government-information litigation in China (2008–2018)

China’s 2008 national regulation on open government information (OGI) triggered a new wave of administrative litigation against governments calling for their release of classified information. Many scholars have debated the effects of OGI regulation and litigation on government accountability. Thus, this study examines 19,076 first instance OGI cases from 2008 to 2018 and proposes a typology of accountbility to explore whether and how information transparency can strengthen authoritarian accountability in China. The data suggests that information transparency boosts the amount of litigation and increases the plaintiffs’ winning rates against the state, which seems to fit the conventional-wisdom However, the interpretation of such patterns needs to incorporate two contingent conditions. First, China’s OGO litigation centers around urbanization-related disputes, such as housing demolition and land acquisition. The data futher reveals that urbanization stimulates OGI litigation but decreases the plaintiffs’ winning rates, and information transparency also has no impacts or even negative association with their winning rates, suggesting that OGI litigation mainly serves as a channel to release public grievances (as pressure-releasing accountbility). Second, our data also shows that plaintiffs’ winning rates are much higher when citing procedural clauses than content clauses in the OGI Regulation, suggesting authoritarian accountability is more procedural than substantive. Our findings offer a nuanced discussion on authoritarian information governance and accountability.

URBAN REGENERATION AND PUBLIC SPACE: LESSONS ON EARLY INTERVENTION OF COMMUNITY-BASED MICRO-PLANNING

Documenting lessons learned from revitalization projects through community-based micro-planning is crucial in developing countries, as it lacks mainstream urban regeneration recognition. This research aimed to evaluate the early intervention of community gardening or urban farming initiatives under an urban regeneration project: the Special Area Action Plan Section 13, Petaling Jaya City, Malaysia. This single case study was investigated using the mixed-methods approach. In the quantitative approach, 200 samples were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the qualitative approach, eight interviews were conducted and analyzed via thematic analysis. The findings show that the respondents are sceptical about the awareness, safety infrastructure and support services, caretaker, and land ownership concerns surrounding the proposal for community gardening at the Sungai Penchala monsoon drain area. When revitalizing left-over urban public spaces, authorities are recommended to plan more awareness intervention campaigns, enhance safety infrastructure designs, provide policy support in appointing caretakers, and resolve land acquisition matters to realize and sustain the regeneration projects in the public interest. This study contributes lessons learned by auditing the early intervention urban regeneration initiatives in development plans, particularly in fourth-tier-community-based micro-planning in a developing country.

The Criticism of Land Procurement Law to Improve Landowners Welfare in Indonesia

The Indonesian Land Acquisition Law serves as a crucial legal instrument in facilitating national development. However, the implementation of this law often gives rise to criticism, particularly with regard to the welfare of landowners whose property is acquired for the public good. This article seeks to provide a critical analysis of the implementation of the Land Acquisition Law in Indonesia and its impact on the welfare of landowners. The methodology employed is a literature review that examines previous research, related legislation, and cases of land acquisition implementation. The findings indicate that, despite the law's objective of enhancing welfare through fair compensation, there are still shortcomings in its implementation that result in injustice to landowners.