Browsing by Author "Hull, Simon"

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    A framework for guiding cadastral systems development in customary land rights contexts
    (2019) Hull, Simon; Whittal, Jennifer; van Belle, Jean-Paul
    Land reform in South Africa is reported to be failing, and land tenure reform in customary contexts is the least well-addressed component of land reform. To address this failure, a framework for guiding cadastral systems development in customary land rights contexts is developed. Using a research synthesis methodology, this conceptual framework is derived from existing literature. It comprises of five evaluation areas (underlying theory, land administration system context, change drivers, change process, and review process), each of which is broken down into related aspects and elements. The three interrelated goals of success, sustainability, and significance permeate the framework. It is suggested that cadastral systems development (and, by consequence, land tenure reform) projects operating in customary land rights contexts fail when they are not sensitive to the significance of development processes and outcomes for customary land rights-holders. The conceptual framework is tested and extended through a progressive case study of four examples of cadastral systems development in Germany, the Netherlands, Mozambique, and South Africa. The elements of the framework are compared against context-specific descriptors that emerge from the case studies to assess how well they have been addressed. Thus, each case brings contextual relevance to the framework, sequentially increasing its groundedness. The European cases are chosen because they are seen to be examples of ‘good practice’ for their contexts and because developments in southern Africa have drawn from and been influenced by them. Hence, they are expected to add relevant insight to the conceptual framework. The southern African cases are chosen because they reflect the intended context of application of the framework and have been undergoing cadastral systems development for the past few decades. The framework was found to be useful in highlighting strengths and weaknesses in all four cases. Weaknesses in the European cases related to their insensitivity towards human rights, class and gender issues possibly arising from assumptions about the uniformity of their socio-economic context. There was also inadequate attention given to the review processes. Strengths arose from the developed nature of the countries as reflected in their good governance and well-functioning cadastral systems. In the southern African cases, the primary weaknesses arose from the adoption of inappropriate theory of development, leading to a loss of significance of development process and outcomes. Other weaknesses are related to the lack of developing status of southern African countries, as reflected in their poor land governance and low levels of technological capacity. Strengths related to acknowledgement of human rights issues and the need to address historical injustices in the southern African cases. The resultant, grounded framework is intended to be used as a tool by policymakers and cadastral systems developers. By taking note of the framework’s aspects and elements, it is proposed that cadastral systems development in customary land rights contexts will carry significance for the land rights-holders, encouraging their adoption and embrace of the process and outcomes of development, which in turn fosters the success and sustainability of development.
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    An Overview of Frontier Technologies for Land Tenure: How to Avoid the Hype and Focus on What Matters
    (2022-10-31) Hull, Simon; Liversage, Harold; Rizzo, Maria Paola; Evtimov, Vladimir
    Secure land and natural resource rights are key ingredients for rural transformation, social inclusion, and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. In many cases, these rights are not formally recorded, and statutory land administration systems are inaccessible to rural communities. The rapid development of geospatial technologies and systems, combined with participatory methods for social empowerment, have contributed significantly to addressing these challenges and in developing fit-for-purpose land administration/land recordation systems that promote land tenure security, but with the plethora of options currently available, it is challenging to know which technologies are appropriate for what circumstances and purposes. This paper reports on the findings from a joint FAO/IFAD project that addresses this problem. Thirteen one-hour interviews were conducted with knowledgeable experts to showcase which technologies are being used for what purposes and by whom, the associated benefits and challenges, and what the future may hold. We conclude that technologies are best used in partnership with communities and as integrated solutions, that successful implementations must incorporate maintenance plans, and that the real challenge is not the technology–it is the social, legal, and political context. These findings are useful for governments, NGOs, academia, donors, and others involved in land-related projects aimed at benefitting small-scale farmers.
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    Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Monitoring Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Nandoni Dam Basin
    (2023) Lilimu, Maanda Danson; Hull, Simon; Smit Julian
    Land use activities and land cover (LULC) changes have been widely acknowledged as the main drivers of environmental change at all spatial-temporal scales in some South African dam basins. The consequence of these land use activities causes encroachments, land cover changes, sediment deposits, deforestation, and severe flood damages, which reduces water storage capacity and economic tourism activities in dam basins. The challenges of land use activities have highlighted the need to monitor LULC changes in the Nandoni Dam basin. Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) methods offer the possibility of monitoring LULC changes, which could help dam basin management agencies make spatio-temporal decisions to preserve water storage capacity in dam basins. This study investigated the Nandoni Dam basin's LULC changes using Landsat TM 1997, 2005, and ETM+ 2021 images. The six LULC classes classified are water bodies, forests, floodplains, built-up land, bare land, and agricultural land. The images were successfully delineated using GIS zoning boundary data and then classified through a supervised maximum likelihood classifier. The results of the classified images showed significant changes in all classes, with built-up land being the major encroachment into the dam basin, covering 18.28% in 1997, 21.46% in 2005, and 19.12% in 2021. These findings provide considerable spatio-temporal information on factors causing LULC change patterns and improve the understanding of the amount and rate of encroachment of the dam basin. The results are recommended to the landowners, water authorities and the government for monitoring LULC change patterns in the Nandoni Dam basin. Keywords: remote sensing, GIS, land use, land cover, Nandoni Dam basin
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    Assessing land administration systems with their legal frameworks: the case of peri-urban land in Ekiti State, Nigeria
    (2023) Babalola, Kehinde Hassan; Hull, Simon
    The coexistence of customary and statutory law, tenure, and administration in peri-urban areas of sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries such as Nigeria may cause conflict and tension. An efficient and effective land administration systems (LASs) and legal frameworks are crucial for ensuring pro-poor objectives in land administration. Women, the vulnerable and the poor who are denied access to efficient and effective land administration services tend to experience tenure insecurity. Nigeria is one of the countries with an inefficient and ineffective LASs. The study explores the possibility of hybrid legal systems contributing to tenure insecurity in peri-urban areas of Southwest Nigeria. This study assesses customary and statutory laws and administration systems pertaining to Ekiti State, Nigeria to understand whether there is legal pluralism. A case study of customary and statutory laws, tenure, and administration was carried out using primary and secondary data. The study used three peri-urban cases from Ekiti State, Nigeria (Ikere-Ekiti, Ijero-Ekiti, and Oye-Ekiti) to learn how customary and statutory laws, tenure, and administration operate within the same geographical space. The study adopted Soft System Methodology (SSM), with two analytical frameworks: Responsible Land Management (RLM) and Fit-For-Purpose Land Administration (FFPLA). Moreover, the study used institutional isomorphism theory to determine the conflicting pressure exerted on the customary legal framework, comprising the customary courts and the Customary Court of Appeal of a State (CCAS). The LASs with their legal frameworks were assessed using text-based and empirical approaches. The study findings show weak and deep legal pluralism in LASs. The assessment leads to developing conceptual tools for assessing LASs with their legal frameworks. On the one hand, the conceptual tool for assessing LASs with their legal frameworks is based on the three pillars of human rights, the rule of law, and legal pluralism, taking a constitutional focus. The study findings revealed conflicting pressure exerted on customary courts and the Customary Court Appeal of a State (CCAS). On the other hand, the conceptual tool for measuring land tenure security based on three pillars of jurisdiction, legitimacy, and collaboration. The conceptual tools provide understanding of the influence of the hybrid legal system in LASs in peri-urban areas. The understanding of the influence of hybrid system is based on decentralising land administration activities, local land management, self-determination, and autonomy. The framework also incorporates legal and institutional flexibility. Areas of further research are recommended.
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    Bridging local and external knowledge for disaster risk management planning: The perceived benefit of participatory 3D modelling in Umgungundlovu District Municipality, South Africa
    (2024) Wielenga, Rutger; Hull, Simon
    There are natural hazards affecting communities all over the world. These events also take place in South Africa. South African disaster management legislation emphasises the indigenous knowledge of people who are most affected when hazards turn into disaster. Participatory GIS in the form of activities building and using three-dimensional models (P3DM) has been used internationally to enhance community engagement and to ensure better information exchange between people who live in the area and the disaster officials and consultants who currently inform decisions. P3DM was introduced in uMgungundlovu District Municipality through a progressive case study methodology with workshops in four locations introduced by municipal officials. This research focused on the officials' perceived value of using P3DM activities to enhance their standard disaster risk management practices. Lightning, fires, earthquakes and strong winds are all natural hazards experienced by people living in communities. Over a period of several generations, these people have developed knowledge local to their area that is relevant in planning to reduce the risk of disasters in their area. The disaster risk management legislation governing this planning requires the sharing of local knowledge. The implementation of the legislation and the sharing of local knowledge are challenging. Participatory three-dimensional modelling (P3DM) has been used in the Global South as a novel method to promote knowledge sharing in this context. Although this method is commonly used elsewhere in the Global South, it has not yet been used or introduced in South Africa. Through a progressive case study in four locations in uMgungundlovu District Municipality, P3DM was introduced to stakeholders in disaster planning. There was an opportunity to analyse and assess the perceived value of P3DM to stakeholders at each location. Observational case study methods including semi-structured interviews allowed data collection and analysis to assess the perceived value of P3DM. P3DM was found to add value to stakeholders already familiar with incorporating local knowledge in disaster planning. Officials and community members attending workshops where P3DM activities were introduced recognized that building models and adding LIK to the models facilitates knowledge sharing.
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    Detecting and predicting land use and land cover change in the cross-sanaga-bioko coastal forest region for sustainable forest management
    (2024) Njume, Epie Wesner; Hull, Simon
    This study assesses forest, agriculture and built-up areas change in the Cross-Sanaka-Bioko (CSB) region from 2000 to 2021, aiming to provide reliable data for sustainable forest management practices. This analysis will be accomplished with the aid of GIS tools (Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS Pro) and remote sensing data (LULC maps and digital elevation models) in the CSB region. Land use and land cover (LULC) changes in forested regions are critical indicators of environmental transformation, contributing to deforestation, forest degradation, and biodiversity loss, with significant impacts on the environment and human well-being. Sustainable forest management is essential for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring forest resources for future generations. A supervised LULC classification map was created for 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2021 using a decision tree-based machine learning algorithm. Loss, gain and post-classification change detection analysis were used to pinpoint significant LULC changes in the region. Identifying the potential impacts of LULC changes to the environment, air pollutants (CO, NO2, SO2, and PM2.5) were used to first evaluate the variation of emission of the pollutants over the years using a descriptive statistic. Furthermore, a point biserial correlation analysis was used to test the strength of association between the supervised LULC classes with the identified pollutants. Lastly the Multi-Layer Perceptron and Cellular Automata-Markov chain models were used to predict land cover change in the region in the year 2063 and validated by comparing the predicted 2063 map with the 2000 and 2021 classified maps in the CSB region. The study revealed a significant reduction in forested areas (35.55% loss), with the most substantial decline (14.69%) between 2007 and 2014. Agricultural and built-up areas increased by 28.05% and 13.73%, respectively. The primary LULC transition was from forests to agricultural areas, followed by built-up areas. Pollutant emissions, except for NO2, exceeded WHO-recommended values in the region. The results from the correlation analysis showed positive and negative correlations between the LULC changes and air pollutants. For example, agriculture had a moderate positive correlation with NO2 and a moderate negative correlation with CO. There is a projected 21.03% loss in forested areas by 2063, with agricultural lands expanding by 19.69% and built-up areas by 10.88%. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable development practices to balance forest conservation, agricultural growth, and urban expansion, aligning with Goal 7 of the African Union Agenda to promote environmental sustainability, and Goal 15, Target 15.2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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    Do Design Science Research and Design Thinking Processes Improve the ‘Fit’ of the Fit-For-Purpose Approach to Securing Land Tenure for All in South Africa?
    (2021-05-04) Hull, Simon; Whittal, Jennifer
    In South Africa, land tenure security is a challenge for 60% or more of the population who hold interests in land outside of the formal system of registered title. There is a need for the cadastral and land administration systems to be reshaped, and for new land tenure forms to be developed to record all land rights and interests so as to improve land tenure security for all. In this paper, we undertake a reflective retrospective of the processes of land administrative reform in South Africa using a thematic framework that includes fit-for-purpose, design science research, and design thinking processes. Literary sources are coded using the thematic framework to identify potential contributions of foregrounding design science research and design thinking in fit-for-purpose land administration (FFP LA) approaches. Design science research paired with tools of behavioral science add value in understanding the context, problems, needs, and objectives and in communicating the results of critical reflection. The design thinking process has much to offer in capitalizing on the human abilities of empathy, deep understanding, and challenging assumptions, setting the scene for unconstrained creative thinking. Design science research and design thinking within FFP LA may promote innovations in land administration systems reform initiatives that deliver restorative justice in the South African land sector.
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    Good e-Governance and cadastral innovation: in pursuit of a definition of e-cadastral systems
    (2013) Hull, Simon; Whittal, Jennifer
    The development and implementation of an e-cadastre, called Project Vulindlela, is underway in South Africa yet there is little literature/research to guide e-cadastral development and implementation globally. Also, the meanings of the terms ‘e-cadastre’ and ‘e-cadastral system’ are unclear. This paper seeks to address these limitations. We begin with a look at definitions of key terms in the field of cadastral development. Then an understanding of what constitutes an e-cadastral system is formed through an exploration of: good governance as related to cadastral development, e-government and e-governance, and a study of global cadastral and land administration trends and ‘future cadastres’. The e-cadastral system is thereafter defined as an electronic, parcel-based land tenure information system (LTIS) that combines the roles of the agencies in control of surveys and mapping, land registration, land valuation and land use / development in a manner that aims to broadly satisfy e-governance outcomes as related to cadastral systems development. Finally, the implied goals of the e-cadastral system are described. It is hoped that this exploration will stimulate further development of the concepts of e-cadastral systems such that formal critique of these systems will be possible in the future.
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    Multicriteria Decision Method for Renewable Energy Production: Siting Solar, Wind and SHP Plants in Zimbabwe
    (2023) Ngwenya, Grace; Hull, Simon
    Energy plays an enormous role in economic growth, progress, and development. The energy development in Zimbabwe has not been coincident with the rising demand of energy, placing a large strain on existing resources. Most of the energy is powered by coal-fired stations that now require major upgrades. The low-capacity problem has resulted in frequent production stops and power cuts that affect economic performance of industries and services. These power shortages have led to the formulation of the National Renewable Energy Policy (NREP), which stipulates that by 2030, Zimbabwe needs to be driven by clean and sustainable energy sources. In this regard, the government has devoted itself to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of the study was to identify suitable locations for renewable energy production plants in Zimbabwe. The first step in the process was to define suitability criteria for siting wind, solar and small hydro power plants. Vector and raster data sets corresponding to the criteria were gathered and a geodatabase was constructed. The process of identifying suitable areas involved the transformation of criteria values, generation of criteria-based maps, standardization, and ultimately locating the suitable energy plant sites using Multi Criteria Decision Method (MCDM). The method used to identify suitable regions for renewable energy in Zimbabwe were compared to the existing renewable resources in Zimbabwe and validated using models created for South Africa. The study demonstrates that Zimbabwe has enormous potential for wind, solar, and SHP resources, all of which have the potential to alleviate the country's severe energy shortages. Hwange Rural, which has a land area of 26 974 km2, is the best place for solar power plants. The Beitbridge Rural District, which has a land area of 12 719 km2, is the best place for small-scale utility wind power turbines. Small hydropower plants would thrive in the Gwayi and Shangani Rivers. Additionally, a thorough comprehension of the technical aspects of each renewable energy source is required. The availability of solar resources, PV module efficiency, spacing factor, and accessible land area are some examples of the information that must be gathered in order to derive the technical potential for the creation of solar PV systems. Addressing obstacles to the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies in the country can be accomplished through the establishment of policies and regulatory frameworks.