Land Policy Research Articles

The Formation and the Development of the Újházhely Residential Area in Hajdúnánás

In Hungary, it was the land reform of 1945 which caused one of the most significant changes in the land policy. This measure, aimed at allocating land to landless peasants, utilized a total of 3,220,000 ha, which were distributed among 642,000 beneficiaries. As a result, each beneficiary received an average of 2,9 ha of agricultural land, on which they could make a living, albeit under difficult conditions. Historical research has examined this phenomenon, allowing us to understand its effects on Hungarian agriculture and the peasants. It is a less known fact, that not only agricultural lands but also – according to the previous works – in approximately 2800 settlements 300,000–450,000 building sites were distributed. As a result, new farmstead centers, settlements and residential areas emerged. This topic is a less researched area of the history of the Hungarian countryside, even though it caused many changes in the society of these settlements. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of these phenomena, the aim of my presentation is to illustrate this process using the example of Hajdúnánás, a small town located in northern Hajdú-Bihar County. This includes the occupation of agricultural lands, payment of expenses (such as contributions and redemption fees), the distribution of building sites, and the settlement and development of the Újházhely residential area. For this research, I utilized historical sources including electoral registers, house tax records, maps, statistical data, archival sources, legal documents, and interviews.

Mapping municipal land policies: applications of flexible zoning for densification

Municipalities develop individual land policies and can choose not to apply available planning instruments or to apply them differently than intended. While this strategic action can endanger the effectiveness of public policies, it is rarely considered in large-scale analyses. A new geospatial method is presented that captures such strategic action. Empirical evidence from the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, reveals municipalities’ application of planned unit development (PUD), an instrument potentially allowing for flexible zoning negotiations to promote densification. Detailed zoning and building data from the period 2002–23 are used to examine the variation in PUD application by municipalities and whether they apply it to enable densification. Distinguishing by municipality type (i.e. urban core, small town, suburban, rural or touristic) reveals that PUD application is connected to projects with higher building density, more complex parcel changes and, for urban and suburban municipalities, higher density gains in low-density neighbourhoods. However, rural municipalities seldom apply PUD. New indicators of planning complexity provide an insight into whether municipalities apply instruments to enable densification under difficult circumstances. Practice relevance Many policy instruments are provided for in the law, but it is unclear whether and how they are used in practice by municipalities. Following urban densification objectives, municipalities often struggle to implement planning or housing policy instruments, which target private landowners and developers. Therefore, evaluating how different municipalities apply policy instruments and how this application contributes to reaching stated policy goals is crucial. Therefore, this research explores new ways to capture the effect of policy instruments with spatial analysis. Furthermore, by examining the real-world implementation of PUDs, this research sheds light on possible barriers to PUD application for densification, thereby helping policymakers and urban planners improve the effectiveness of public policies.

Soil Erosion Susceptibility Prediction Using GIS-Based Multicriteria Analysis and Worldview-3 Satellite Images

Soil erosion has been identified as a major threat to existing soil deposits, which negatively affects ecosystem sustainability, agricultural production and clean water supply. This study covered the eastern part of Kaštela Bay with the aim of developing a model of susceptibility to soil erosion by applying the GIS-based multicriteria analysis, based on nine determinant criteria categorized by the Jenks method in five classes. The largest representation of soil erosion susceptibility was detected on the slopes of the Kozjak and Mosor massifs. According to the calculated weighting coefficients using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the slope was the most impactful criterion with 29.9 % importance. It was followed by hydrological criteria of topographic wetness index, standardized precipitation index and LS-factor, with 13.1 % importance each. After the development of the model, zones of very high and high susceptibility to soil erosion were delineated, with a combined coverage of 33.34 % of the study area. These areas were identified as a potential threat from the future occurrence of negative effects of soil erosion, which should be addressed in the future by land policy managers and government managers.

Construction, assessment, and protection of green infrastructure networks from a dynamic perspective: A case study of Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China

The green infrastructure (GI) network, an important nature-based solution (NBS) strategy, is pivotal for sustainable urban development. However, current research perspectives focus on constructing a static GI network, and research on evaluating and protecting GI networks in the context of spatiotemporal changes has been limited. This research aims to comprehensively characterise the spatio-temporal changes in the GI network and protect its efficiency. We selected Dalian City as a case study and applied the Future Land-use Simulation (FLUS) model to predict its land use for 2030 and 2040. Based on predicted and historical land-use data, the 1990–2040 GI network of Dalian City was constructed utilising the Integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs (InVEST), morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, while its spatiotemporal changes were evaluated. The results revealed that the hub area exhibited positive growth over time, whereas the link lengths showed an opposite trend. Furthermore, the overall position of the GI network shifted toward the southwest. The flatness indicator detected that the direction of the GI network shape gradually became less pronounced. Consequently, the structure of the GI network shifted from multi-centre to mono-centre. Additionally, priority protection for hubs is mainly in the northeast, while links are primarily in the coastal regions. The urgency of protection for both increases over time. This research developed a dynamic GI network construction and assessment method, providing a scientific basis and reference for future rational GI network planning, ecological protection planning, and related land policy formulation.

A STUDY ON THE PROSPECTS TO SUSTAINABLE URBAN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

This research addressed the prospects to sustainable urban real estate development in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The study primarily focused on the following objectives: To identify the sources of accessing finance for real estate development by real estate firms. To learn how the land code of practice and population affect real estate development and to investigate technical constraints in providing real estate projects in Freetown. Data for this study were collected using a primary source, from which a semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting the quantitative data. The study uses a case study design to achieve the study objectives. A non-probability purposively sampling was used to identify the respondents based on their experience after a line listing process of real estate firms and their employees in Freetown. For the quantitative data, a sample frame of 130 participants was drawn, of which 100 were chosen purposively based on their experience and understanding of real estate development, and 98 participated in the study. Data analysis for this study was done using descriptive (percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential (Pearson correlation and regression analysis) statistical analytical methods. The study established that sources of finance, population impact, and technical constraints in real estate delivery have a positive significant association with urban real estate development, while land code of practice has a positive insignificant association with urban real estate development. The study recommends that, the country's financial institutions popularize a scheme that is of low interest to real estate firms so as to increase the source of income for real estate firms to expand their business; that the national land policy should be reviewed so as to create an avenue for access to land for real estate firms who are willing to provide affordable housing to the country; both the government and real estate firms should work accordingly in order to provide affordable housing for the population, and effective institutional capacity strengthening and enhanced collaboration between government parastatals and private real estate firms should be popularized and implemented. For further research, it is recommended that similar wider study should be done, which will be used for a broader generalization.

More landless, more problems: Investigating the relationship between land and income inequality in Africa

Background: In pursuit of greater equality, African nations have implemented land reforms to increase land ownership among indigenous citizens. Despite these efforts, Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal regions.Aim: In line with the sustainable developmental goals (SDGs) 10 of the Equal World campaign, the study investigates how land ownership influences income inequality in African countries. We create a unique time series measuring landholders per square kilometre of agricultural land and explore its relationship with income inequality.Setting: The analysis covered the period of 2000–2020, using data from the World Bank gender data portal and World Bank Development Indicators to compute the land inequality index.Method: Conventional cointegration and advanced wavelet coherence techniques are employed to examine the influence of land ownership on inequality.Results: Traditional estimators reveal a long-run positive relationship between land ownership and income inequality, with bi-directional causality, implying that African countries with higher (lower) land concentration are associated with higher (lower) levels of inequality. However, wavelet coherence analysis reveals that only 8 countries exhibit a positive relationship, while 16 show a negative relationship, and 2 show an insignificant relationship. Notably, most countries with a negative (positive) relationship (did not) implement additional land reforms after 2000.Conclusion: We conclude that countries that fail to undergo continuous adjustments in land reforms risk experiencing a higher concentration of land ownership and income inequality. This study’s findings underscore the importance of land policy updates for long-term equity.Contribution: Unlike previous studies using the Gini Land coefficient, this study measure agricultural landowners per square kilometre, capturing the entire population and its relationship with income inequality.

Legal Certainty of Land Banking Institutions: Theoretical and Current Challenges

Land banking is a form of land acquisition carried out by systematically acquiring land that has yet to be developed, abandoned land, or vacant land for further development and optimized use to benefit the community. The Government carries out this form of land acquisition to implement public land policies. This research uses doctrinal or normative legal research with a doctrinal approach and statutory regulations related to the Land Bank Concept and Institutions that are in accordance with the development of Indonesian Constitutional Law. Those legal material collected are analysed prescriptively. The result shows that the form of land banking is a special body (sui generis) that manages land with assets separate from state assets so that activities are more flexible, efficient, and effective. The appropriate Land Bank institutional model is in the form of a public service agency. As a separate institution from the ministry, the land bank's governance is based on general principles in the financial accounting system. Land asset management is directed at utilizing land in collaboration with other parties and distributing it to specified parties. Using land bank assets is to obtain income as capital accumulation. Meanwhile, the distribution of land assets is in the context of realizing a just economy through activities in the public interest, social interests, national interests, economic equality, land consolidation, and agrarian reform. Land banks must allocate part of their land assets for land reform.

Conserving an underappreciated heritage resource: The rural landscape

Rural landscapes make up a significant percentage of the planet’s lands and waterways and must be included in any efforts to address climate change and habitat loss. However, the contribution of these landscapes to cultural heritage and nature conservation is not always appreciated. While there are multiple international designation programs and state-sponsored heritage landscape initiatives, these have a relatively small impact around the globe. This is also true for international programs that attempt to take a holistic perspective to conserving rural heritage. There are some promising community-based and collaborative programs in Australia and the United States, although in both countries, overall agricultural policies are not supportive of these approaches. The lack of recognition of cross-disciplinary practices is a barrier to integrated land management as is the failure to understand that a key factor is the role of people and their relationship with the land. The challenge is how to reach out and incorporate culture and natural heritage into the larger field of land policy and conservation practice.

Factors Influencing Peri-Urban Land Development in Ethiopia: Evidences from Assosa City

Like other developing countries, Ethiopia has adopted its land administration system (LAS) based on socio-economic, environmental, and administrative circumstances to allocate and use the land. However, the two ineffective lines of urban and rural land tenure guidelines and legal frameworks play a surprising strategic role in access to land and peri-urban land development. Comprehensive land policies are prospects for today's peri-urban areas to become tomorrow's huge cities. This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing peri-urban land development in Assosa Town and indicate the design of effective LAS. A mixed research approach was employed, and data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The sample respondents were selected using purposive sampling techniques and descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis methods were employed. The findings revealed that bifurcated and ineffective legal and institutional frameworks, limited public-private participation, and technical constraints adversely affect peri-urban land development. The dichotomized land use development has neglected urban fringe areas and contributed to the prevailing negative peri-urban land developments. Development resulted with limited access to serviced land and deprived of land development permit. <i>Following this, peri-urban landholders became a crucial contributor to the development of peri-urban land in a negative manner.</i> Almost all sampled households developed their land contrary to the legal frameworks and standards. The estimated results of the binary logit model indicate that several factors influence peri-urban land development, including sex, monthly household income, access to official land and land information, land disputes, the alternative land development tool, and institutional integration. It is recommended to have an all-in-one land policy and administration strategy to promote sustainable development in the study area and beyond.

Complex cocoa agroforestry systems shaped within specific socioeconomic and historical contexts in Africa: Lessons from Cameroonian farmers

CONTEXTIn the humid tropics, the socioecological advantages of family-based, multistory agroforestry systems are well recognized. Yet public policies tend to focus on conservation and land-sparing strategies alongside the promotion of modern intensive agriculture, neglecting these biodiverse agroecosystems, which are in decline. This is a particularly central issue in cocoa cultivation. In Africa's two largest cocoa-producing countries (Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana), cocoa plantations with few associated trees contribute to deforestation and biodiversity loss. In contrast, in regions like Cameroon, biodiversity-rich cocoa agroforests prevail. Considering global changes and rising cocoa demand, it is crucial to preserve and develop these agroforestry systems that reconcile cocoa production with ecosystem services. OBJECTIVEThis study, conducted in Cameroon between 2013 and 2017, aimed to pinpoint the socioeconomic factors influencing the characteristics, maintenance, and degradation of cocoa agroforests, with the ultimate goal of identifying intervention strategies to promote their preservation and development. METHODSThe study collected data from (i) on-field measurements in 95 cocoa agroforestry plots, (ii) interviews with the 95 farmers managing the plots, and (iii) historical interviews with 50 key informants. We focused on five sites across a gradient of population density, encompassing various socioecological environments and types of cocoa agroforests. Through thematic and statistical analyses, we evaluated differences between the five sites. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur results indicated contrasting management practices, dendrometric structure, species composition, and cocoa yields between sites. These contrasts largely reflected socioeconomic factors and site-specific dynamics. Cocoa agroforests were less rich in biodiversity in sites where farmers with capital using hired labor had acquired land than in sites where family farmers predominated. A trade-off was found between the richness of companion trees and cocoa yields. Plots managed by smallholder family farmers near urban areas tended to better reconcile cocoa production and biodiversity conservation. These farmers had gradually transformed their traditional agroforests to adapt to increasing demographic pressure by integrating diverse fruit tree species, using pesticides sparingly, and introducing selected cocoa varieties mixed with older varieties. SIGNIFICANCEThe small-scale family-managed cocoa agroforests, which incorporate fruit species as described in this study, could serve as a model for a more sustainable cocoa production strategy. However, developing such a strategy would require greater investment and support from policymakers. This includes supporting the marketing of products from companion trees, stabilizing cocoa prices at a high level, and implementing land policies that protect small and medium-sized family farmers.

Forging Pathways to Equity: The Nexus between Land Redistribution, Health, and Healthcare Access

This article explores the nexus between land redistribution policies and healthcare accessibility to mitigate social and economic disparities arising from inequitable land distribution. Historically, concentrated land ownership has marginalised rural communities, limiting their access to healthcare services. Land reform initiatives focusing on redistribution and secure tenure have the potential to empower marginalised groups economically and enhance their health outcomes through improved access to healthcare facilities. The study fills Gaps in existing research by investigating the interconnectedness of land tenure security, health outcomes and healthcare access, drawing insights from global contexts, including successful cases in Denmark, New Zealand, and South Korea, alongside challenges in Russia, India, and South Africa. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of data from the Global Health Security Index, the study highlights the critical role of equitable land distribution in fostering health equity and sustainable development. Findings suggest that countries with inclusive land policies demonstrate improved public health indicators, highlighting the importance of integrating land reform into broader health and development agendas. In conclusion, land redistribution holds promise for enhancing healthcare access and achieving health equity. Ultimately, this research advocates for strategic interventions that prioritise fair land distribution as a cornerstone for achieving universal health coverage and addressing persistent health disparities worldwide.

Short-Term Effects of Cenchrus fungigraminus/Potato or Broad Bean Interplanting on Rhizosphere Soil Fertility, Microbial Diversity, and Greenhouse Gas Sequestration in Southeast China.

Cenchrus fungigraminus is a new species and is largely used as forage and mushroom substrate. However, it can usually not be planted on farmland on account of local agricultural land policy. Interplanting Cenchrus fungigraminus with other crops annually (short-term) is an innovative strategy to promote the sustainable development of the grass industry in southern China. To further investigate this, C. fungigraminus mono-planting (MC), C. fungigraminus-potato interplanting (CIP) and C. fungigraminus-broad bean interplanting (CIB) were performed. Compared to MC, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), soil organic matter (SOM), ammoniacal nitrogen (AMN), pH and soil amino sugars had a positive effect on the rhizosphere soil of CIP and CIB, as well as enhancing soil nitrogenase, nitrite reductase, and peroxidase activities (p < 0.05). Moreover, CIP improved the root vitality (2.08 times) and crude protein (1.11 times). In addition, CIB enhanced the crude fiber of C. fungigraminus seedlings. These two interplanting models also improved the microbial composition and diversity (Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota, etc.) in the rhizosphere soil of C. fungigraminus seedlings. Among all the samples, 189 and 59 genes were involved in methane cycling and nitrogen cycling, respectively, which improved the presence of the serine cycle, ribulose monophosphate, assimilatory nitrate reduction, methane absorption, and glutamate synthesis and inhibited denitrification. Through correlation analysis and the Mantel test, the putative functional genes, encoding functions in both nitrogen and methane cycling, were shown to have a significant positive effect on pH, moisture, AMN, SOM, SMBC, and soil peroxidase activity, while not displaying a significant effect on soil nitrogenase activity and total amino sugar (p < 0.05). The short-term influence of the interplanting model was shown to improve land use efficiency and economic profitability per unit land area, and the models could provide sustainable agricultural production for rural revitalization.

Prediction of Land Use and Habitat Quality in Harbin City Based on the PLUS- InVEST Model

Analyzing the spatiotemporal evolution of urban land use and habitat quality can reveal the correlation between land use and habitat quality, aiding in rational urban land policies and high-quality ecological environment development. This study was based on land use transition matrices and an Intensity-Migration （IM） model to analyze the changes in land use in Harbin from 2000 to 2020. It combined the PLUS model to explore the driving factors of land use expansion for various land types and predicted land use scenarios for 2030 under natural development, ecological protection, farmland protection, and urban development scenarios. Finally, the InVEST model was used to complete the habitat quality analysis. The results indicated： ① The dominant land use types in Harbin were cropland, forest land, and grassland. From 2000 to 2020, there was a significant tendency of conversion into grassland, cropland, forest land, and artificial surfaces, with noticeable changes in land use intensity. Water bodies, bare land, and wetland types showed less conversion and tended to be restrictive. ② Elevation was the primary factor influencing the expansion of grassland, cropland, forest land, bare land, wetland, and water bodies. Socioeconomic factors were the main factor affecting the expansion of artificial surfaces. ③ Simulation of land use types in Harbin for 2030 under the four scenarios showed an increase in forest land area and a decrease in grassland area, with insignificant changes in wetland, water bodies, and bare land areas. Except for in the ecological protection scenario, the area of artificial surfaces increased, whereas cropland decreased. ④ Overall, habitat quality in Harbin improved from 2000 to 2020. ⑤ In 2030, the spatial pattern of habitat quality in Harbin remained consistent across all scenarios, showing an overall improvement in habitat quality. Under the ecological protection scenario, areas with low and medium habitat quality decreased, whereas areas with higher habitat quality increased, indicating a relatively significant improvement in habitat quality. The research results provide a scientific basis and insights for the development of ecological civilization and urban planning and construction in Harbin.

Typology of Land Conflicts in Special Region of Yogyakarta

Abstract: This paper identifies various structural land conflicts in the Special Region of Yogyakarta in the last 20 years. Using a literature review method, the various conflicts that occurred can be categorized into several typologies, (1) the issue of the transfer of land status from private and communal (village land) to sultanate/pakualaman land; (2) land acquisition for national strategic projects that displace people's managed areas; (3) investment and development in urban areas that displace or reduce the quality of life of the community; (4) various transfers of land use in coastal areas by local governments and the private sector through extractive industry investment, tourism or conservation; (5) ethnic politicization in discriminative land policies. The reading of the various typologies of conflict is produced from three different perspectives, namely the 'agrarian citizenship' approach, 'human rights', and 'politics of access’. These three perspectives also serve as a proposed roadmap to get out of the conflict. Keywords: Land conflict, Roadmap of conflict resolution, Special region of Yogyakarta, Typology

Research on policy and regulations on changing of forest land to other land uses in Vietnam

The Land Law of 2013 and the legal regulatory framework have established provisions for repurposing forest land for other uses. However, due to the widespread conversion of forest land to non-agricultural purposes and a lack of effective control, existing policies and laws exhibit certain shortcomings. Specifically, legal challenges arise from contradictions among related laws (such as the Land Law, Planning Law, Forestry Law) regarding the authority to approve the repurposing of protective and special-use forest land for alternative purposes. Additionally, the process for such repurposing is complex and lacks sufficient rigor. The main objective of this article is to propose refinements to the land policy and legal framework concerning the repurposing of protective and special-use forest land. A study collected input from 50 managers in two provinces (Quang Ninh and Lao Cai) to assess the appropriateness and direction of amendments to the land policy and laws on this matter. An evaluation of the current state of land repurposing in 12 provinces, representing six economic and social regions of the country from 2014÷2020, showed that 276.662 ha of protective forest land and 55.057 ha of special-use forest land were repurposed. The research results have proposed amendments to several articles of the 2013 Land Law and highlighted some key discussion points.

The Transformation of Islamic Property and Evidentiary Law in Colonial-era Morocco: The Case of Shufʿa as Préemption

Abstract A cornerstone of French land policy in colonial Protectorate Morocco (1912–56) was to restrict jurisdiction of sharīʿa courts while maintaining sharīʿa-based property laws in French courts. This article examines the Islamic property concept of shufʿa (the right of “preemption” or “first-refusal” for co-owned land) as adjudicated in sharīʿa courts and French courts of colonial-era Morocco. Both jurisdictions claimed to uphold the provisions of shufʿa stipulated by the Mālikī legal school of Islamic law; however, the French courts used a codified version—le droit de préemption—while relying on property facts established by the new colonial institution of land registration (Fr., immatriculation foncière; Ar., taḥfīẓ ʿaqārī). By analyzing paradigmatic shufʿa disputes in each jurisdiction, the article argues that evidence and procedure are critical to understanding Islamic law’s encounter with the colonial state. Most importantly, French courts implemented a hybrid version of Islamic property law in which immatriculation supplanted Islamic legal modes of proof making. The French hybrid approach thus constituted a competing version of state sharīʿa that was mutually exclusive with the sharīʿa courts and persisted into the post-colonial period. This discussion more broadly seeks to center property, evidence, and judicial procedure in scholarly narratives concerning twentieth-century Islamic legal history.

The Challenge of Territorial Systemic Analysis for Peacebuilding in Colombia

This article reflects on the need to structure a systemic analysis of Colombian rural territory as a crucial challenge in the context of implementing public land policies and peacebuilding in Colombia. It examines the conditions for configuring a scenario that articulates the action of institutions and democratic participation in land management, from the perspectives of scientific and technological innovation, based on the following guiding questions: What are the challenges facing the government and civil society in addressing the issue of access to and use of rural land in the process of just and responsible land governance? What is the functionality of three conjuncture public policies for achieving territorial peace: Multipurpose Cadastre, Social Ordering of Rural Property, and the Land Administration System? The analysis uses a qualitative and descriptive approach. It interprets, on the one hand, the experience of professionals specialized in land administration, who provide an account of the use of geospatial technologies in this field, through in-depth interviews. On the other hand, it reviews the evolution of the legal-normative framework and the documentary analysis. The results describe the analytical value that a geospatial ecosystem represents for the contemporary country. This revolutionary tool is crucial for comprehensive knowledge of the territory, which requires effective, participatory, and equitable intervention to strengthen the institutions that manage land and peace towards sustainable development

Research on the Interaction Mechanism between Land System Reform and Rural Population Flow: Europe (Taking Spain as an Example) and China

This paper examines the interaction between land policies and rural labor migration in China and Europe, highlighting how land reforms guide labor mobility and their impacts on land and social structures. In China, the Household Contract Responsibility System and land transfer policies have facilitated agricultural scale expansion and the urbanization of the rural labor force. Homestead reforms have further enhanced farmers’ asset liquidity. In Europe, using Spain as a case study, EU agricultural policies have spurred agricultural modernization, economic diversification, and intensive land use. These advancements benefitted from a mature land transfer market and increased non-agricultural employment opportunities. Both China and Europe face challenges of population aging and rural depopulation, necessitating improvements in land use efficiency, the balance of the scale, and the protection of farmers’ rights and interests. Europe addresses labor shortages through technology, mechanization, and cooperatives, while China employs land trusteeship, transfer platforms, and the “three rights separation” system to combat land abandonment and labor shortages. Future research should strengthen comparative studies between China and Europe, quantify interactive relationships, consider the impact of transnational labor mobility under globalization, explore policy innovations, and foster international cooperation to address demographic changes and agricultural labor shortages. Additionally, promoting sustainable land use and farmers’ rights, equalizing urban–rural public services, enhancing education and training, and improving the social security system are crucial for integrated urban–rural development.

The Paradox of Women Ownership of Land and Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Channels and Obstacles

ABSTRACT The goal of this article is to provide an in-depth analysis of the channels through which women acquire land in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the inherent obstacles and the relevance of land ownership to gender equality and women’s economic and social outcomes; and provide suggestions to inform effective gender-sensitive land policies. Emphasis of this study is on the inheritance channel through birthright with a conviction that it is socially and economically empowering. The descriptive analysis shows that the proportion of women who own land in SSA is 40% points lower than that of men regardless of how the land was acquired, whereby about 30% of women own land in SSA, compared to 70% of men. Nonetheless, women are more likely to acquire land either through purchase from the market system or marriage, and even then, their rights of ownership are usually very limited and precarious compared to the rights of men.

Evaluating the Land Use Implementation Results Through Land Policy in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam

Background: The study aims to identify factors affecting land bank creation and propose policy implications to improve land use efficiency in Vinh Long province. Methods: Based on applying institutional theory and land rent theory, the authors develop hypotheses and a research model that determines the relationship between factors affecting land banks, land rent theory and land use efficiency. The quantitative research method used the measurement model and PLS-SEM structure to test the correlation between factors. The survey was conducted with 170 respondents working in the land field. Result: According to research, the land bank is the factor that has the most significant impact on land use efficiency, with legal, planning and financial policy factors comprising in second and third. Based on these results, land policy and lawmakers can apply this research theory to adjust land-related factors according to administrators’ wishes.