The value of ownership

Ownership can be registered by law. This makes a property right a legal right recognised by the state. Registered ownership means that you can dispose or transfer land - but also that others cannot take your land. This gives you legal protection and increases prosperity and well-being. Many people do not have a registered, and therefore legal, right of ownership.

Land rights for all

Land rights for women, poor people, and children are not self-evident everywhere. Quite often, children lose their rights when the parents are no longer there. Kadaster helps in many countries with the registration of land and property under the motto "land rights for all". For men and women, for rich and poor, for young and old. 

People, nature and well-being

The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and require proper land registration and information provision with a balance between people, nature and welfare. Having an overview of property and usage rights is essential in government decision-making, for example in spatial planning or nature conservation.

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Benefit the island's owners, notaries, brokers and banks

This act is expected to bring about a more uniform way of working and registration, which will benefit the island's owners, notaries, brokers and banks. But above all, it will provide more continuity. 
"We want to continue and further develop the island's digitisation process to improve the quality of data. To do so, we will take a number of steps in the coming period. Together we continue to advance legal certainty”, according to Frank Tierolff, chairman of the Kadaster Board of Management.

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From framework to practice

The secondment focuses on two key aspects of the UN-GGIM’s work programme: the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (IGIF) and the Framework for Effective Land Administration (FELA). This involves working on aspects on how to leverage the IGIF Implementation Guide, to support the design and development of IGIF country-level action plans and support in country operationalisation of FELA. The secondment will be fulfilled by Kadaster’s Land Administration advisor Eva-Maria Unger.

Some responses

Frank Tierolff, chairman of the Kadaster Board of Management: “Kadaster has always contributed actively to the work of UN-GGIM, simply because it is important. The secondment of Eva-Maria Unger and her support to UN-GGIM’s work programme is another step in this joint journey. The secondment embodies Kadaster’s key value ‘driven’: encouraging our staff to embrace constant development while serving the public cause.”

Stefan Schweinfest, Director of the United Nations Statistics Division: “The leadership of Kadaster in the field of land administration over many years is acknowledged not only at the global level but also regionally and in Europe. This virtual secondment is a new, practical, tangible, and positive contribution to support our global programme. And hopefully sets an example for other countries to follow.”

Eva-Maria Unger: “I am grateful for this opportunity. The transformational change that we need to strive towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda is centred around geospatial information. But a lot of work needs to be done. I am excited and hope that I can contribute substantially to the two key aspects of the UN-GGIM’s work programme - the IGIF and FELA. Both frameworks that can bring this positive transformational change.”

Fast and participative land registration

On April 28, an important agreement was signed between the Colombian Land Registry (IGAC), the Dutch Embassy in Bogotá and the Netherlands’ Kadaster. The agreement contributes to the development of a fast, transparent and multifunctional land registry in Colombia. With the Dutch Fit-for-Purpose method, the local population does most of the work themselves. Because of this, they have confidence in the data collected, they agree with the boundaries of their lots and their neighbours, and ownership of the land can be formalized. This provides families with legal certainty about their previously informal property.

Dutch ambassador Jeroen Roodenburg on the importance of the land titles:

“For the Dutch government, the issue of land administration is the key to better rural development in Colombia. Our question was, how can we contribute to make it more efficient, safer and more affordable, especially for low-income Colombians? The residents of rural areas, including farmers and ethnic communities, need legal security of their properties to have easier access to, for example, credit, agricultural insurance or other tools to invest in productive projects. ”

More about the Land in Peace project

Within the framework of the Colombian-Dutch project 'Tierra en Paz' (Land in Peace), successful pilots have now been carried out in three regions with 'Fit for Purpose' and property titles are ready.

Read more about the Land in Peace project in Colombia

Land-at-Scale programme

Building from the momentum and awareness surrounding the LAND partnership, the Land-at-Scale programme is now defined and initiated by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, executed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The new programme has a focus on scaling-up land sector initiatives and networks. In 2019 Kadaster signed a framework contract with RVO in order to give a substantial contribution to this programme.

• LAND programme summary flyer in pdf format
• LAND programme summary - flyer text in Word

Land-at-Scale programme

Building from the momentum and awareness surrounding the LAND partnership, the Land-at-Scale programme is now defined and initiated by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, executed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The new programme has a focus on scaling-up land sector initiatives and networks. In 2019 Kadaster signed a framework contract with RVO in order to give a substantial contribution to this programme.

Starting point

The Department of Lands and Survey (DLS) has a long experience in computerisation. Paper based transactions in the DLS are processed digital in a parallel workflow since two decades. Also the scanning of documents wasn’t a new activity for DLS. Based upon an earlier recommendation after a twinning project, a new workflow is already (and successfully) introduced in the Amman Registration Office.

Project results

• This project has defined a roadmap for the next step in the computerisation of the core of the administration which is the White Sheet ledger: the legal property registration.
• The computerisation as described in the roadmap will have benefits on the efficiency and reliability of the real estate market and with that on the economy and society as a whole. It will improve transparency of the government. This fits to the intention of the state to achieve paperless government by the year 2020.
• The roadmap describes how to protect the existing archives, both maps and deeds; how to improve the quality of the archives, both maps and deeds; how to integrate digital archives, both maps and deeds, in the internal workflows and how to: integrate digital archives, both maps and deeds, in the external workflows.

Duration of the project

2016 - 2018

More info and contact

If you want more information about the project or if you want to contact us, please fill in the contact form.

More information about Working week 2021

More information can be found on FIG.net.

The support is focussing on the organisation (planning, budgeting and IT) and developing the fit-for-purpose procedures in land registration and related Capacity building (train the trainers). In 2019 and 2020 the support concentrates on the ICT Organisation and Institutional development.

In 2019 two devastating hurricanes hit Mozambique. This has a huge impact on land administration procedures. Innovative land tools are needed to document and restore already existing people-to-land relationships as now effected by the cyclones. The location of the people, their houses and temporary shelters as well as their related supporting livelihood need to be identified. A gender-sensitive and inclusive (women, youth, orphans, elderly and marginalised groups) validation, through the community, will ensure the quality of the collected data. Temporary, qualified, or ‘re-starter’ land certificates will be issued and handed over to ensure the access to reconstruction grants and the reestablishment of livelihood.

Intended results

A sustainable, autonomous National Land Registry, ready to execute the GESTERRA program and being the trusted party for Mozambican land users and land partners.

A sustainable Land Information System with clear procedures in land registration and agreed service level agreements in IT and IT systems.

DINAT staff and service providers are aware of fit for purpose principles and prepared to transfer all related knowledge.

Results so far

In 2018 the fit for purpose procedures were tested in designated pilot areas. The testing focussed on data collection methodologies and related IT (collector) interface applications. Support has been given in developing a strategy in executing the GESTERRA project and engaging the WB support from 2019.

A training needs assessment was done and a first draft of a Training Toolkit was delivered. This Training Toolkit will be perfected and finished in 2020.

Specific attention was given on IT and IT applications. The interface with the data collection application is now operational.

Duration of the project

1 January 2018 – 31 December 2020

More info and contact

If you want more information about the project or if you want to contact us, please fill in the contact form.

"We have to understand the community we are working with, understand their problems and talk their language."
Sonia Rita Uane, external coordinator of the livelihood restoration.

Environment of cooperation

The management of a process of such a big magnitude in terms of social effects, proved to be challenging. The evaluation team concluded though that the project created an environment of cooperation and enhanced the capacity at the municipality. We trained the project team at the municipality, and they can now handle FFP-LA recording with special attention to vulnerable people and women.

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Aim of our support

Our support aims to help the government of Bhutan to enable society to make optimal, sensible and sustainable use of the limited land and water resources in their country. This is facilitated through the establishment of a harmonised national land use zoning plan in Bhutan which leads to a solid basis for establishing land use ordinances and enforcement.

Activities and intended results

A data sharing plan and a zoning plan in a pilot area will be developed by the end of 2020. The support consists of a technical part (data sharing protocol and development of zoning plan) and an institutional part (coordination of geo-data and participatory planning).

Furthermore, a monitoring and evaluation plan is developed to ensure quality, evaluate key reforms of the NLUZ project and safeguard the inter-disciplinary use of the NLUZ processes and to promote self-learning.

Duration of the project

2019 - 2020

More info and contact

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Sharing data following the INSPIRE Directive

The support of the Dutch experts is mainly focusing on increasing the capacity for sharing spatial data following interoperability principles of INSPIRE in Belarus. The purpose of this component is to develop a better understanding of how best to share spatial data between the various stakeholders in Belarus. Key to this understanding are the interoperability principles of the INSPIRE Directive and how INSPIRE is implemented in the various Member States of the EU. During workshops the international team helped them to define the requirements for the creation of a metadata portal. Besides workshops in Belarus, also a study visit to the Netherlands took place. This helped to get a first-hand view of the best practices in INSPIRE implementation within the EU.

Methodology document

In addition to that we will help NCA to apply the newly acquired knowledge from experiences and lessons learned from EU Member States to conduct an assessment of the current level of harmonisation of the data of NCA and other stakeholders. Together we will analyse how the data model can integrate all the different information and how to design the most effective data flows in order to create and maintain an integrated spatial data information system. Also a methodology document will be prepared on the creation and maintenance of standard Metadata for spatial data of the NCA. This will enable and facilitate efficient and effective discovery and use of the data available within the NCA through Metadata. In addition to that we will jointly review and assess the existing quality control system for data creation, elaboration and maintenance, in order to draft a methodology for a new quality check of data capture at the stage of registration, data update and data maintenance.

Efficient and effective spatial data management 

Both Spain and the Netherlands have consolidated cadastral systems and experience in the implementation of INSPIRE data and services. We also have proven experience in collaboration and twinning projects. We are eager to combine their expertise cooperate with Belarus on enlarging the capacity of NCA in efficient and effective spatial data management in line with interoperability and harmonisation principles. 

Duration of the project

1 year - 2019.

Read more

Website NCA Twinning project - Study visit to Kadaster

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North Macedonia

The cooperation between the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre (AREC) of North Macedonia and Kadaster focused on three topics: implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Strategy; development of the Address Registry; and updating of the Topographic Maps.

Serbia

The cooperation between the Republic Geodetic Authority (RGA) of Serbia and Kadaster focused on drafting the NSDI strategy and legislation; support for mass property valuation; strengthening institutional and organisational capacity on Open Data, Key Registers; and becoming a more service oriented organisation.

Bosnia–Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania

For Bosnia–Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania emphasis was placed understanding the organisational and technological state-of-play. This was achieved through organising regional workshops, focussing on themes related to spatial data.

Goals for future cooperation

After 27 months, we have a good understanding of the status of all 8 agencies, their needs and their wishes for future cooperation with the Netherlands. The aim is to continue the cooperation and further strengthen professional access to information about land at both national and regional level. In 2020 the cooperation will continue in a new project: SPATIAL II.

Duration of the project

1 January 2017 - 31 March 2019

More info and contact

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Support the cadastral and mapping agency of Indonesia ATR/BPN

Two earlier  projects in which Kadaster participated concentrated on supporting advocacy efforts, developing and piloting the Participative Land Registration (PaLaR). However, for the method to be viable in terms of sustainability and scalability, all the above facets require exploration and design responses. Therefore, the ambition for this third project is to support the cadastral and mapping agency of Indonesia ATR/BPN,  in the organisational and institutional transition to reach the governments’ ambition to map all land parcels in Indonesia before 2025.

Kadaster and ATR/BPN have a long-standing relationship in cooperation projects and it has become clear that ATR/BPN would benefit from the experience and know-how of Kadaster to support them in this major transition.

The following results are expected

1. In 2023, ATR/BPN is, at the highest level, knowledgeable about the concept and practice of a customer-oriented approach. Input is developed for the transition from a data producer to a customer-oriented data management organisation
2. In 2023, ATR/BPN is seen as the center of providing public services in regard to land administration. Hence, a product portfolio and a suitable business and governance model have been designed to serve the customer of ATR/BPN
3. In 2023 the PaLaR method (or equivalent) is adopted by ATR/BPN, and used as one of the methodologies to reach the 2025 goal of complete formal registration of land ownership in Indonesia

Duration of the project

2020 - 2023

More info and contact

If you want more information about the project or if you want to contact us, please fill in the contact form.

Joint approach with residents and municipality

Farmers from the first of the three areas cannot return to their own village because of the danger of landslides. The government has assigned a new location for the village. But before the farmers can build a new house, the government must make a settlement plan.

We accelerate this process by helping farmers and the municipality to make this plan together, including providing tenure security with titles. We also use that approach in the second area. Here, the residents want to rebuild their village and at the same time make the structure of plots and public space more efficient.

Unrecorded lease agreements

In the third area, many farmers live on land owned by landlords. The lease agreements are often not recorded. In addition, many farmers have low literacy, so they are insufficiently aware of their rights and options offered by the government. Awareness of their legal status and knowledge of the processes is important to acquire funding for building their new house.

Within the project Kadaster works with the local organisation Huradec. The experience will be used to improve land rights at a bigger scale throughout the whole of Nepal.

5 year partnership

The chairman of the Kadaster Board of Management, Frank Tierolff, and the chairman of StateGeoCadastre, Roman Leschenko, signed the 5-year agreement online because of the COVID-19-restrictions. 

Roman Leshchenko, Head of the StateGeoCadastre, mentioned:
“This document opens opportunities for regular exchange of experience and best practices for the development and effective functioning of the national infrastructure of geospatial data”.

Frank Tierolff, chairman of the Kadaster Board of Management, confirmed the importance of the MoU:

“Ukraine has been a front runner in self-assessing its NSDI state-of-play and plotting a future NSDI strategy. This MoU allows StateGeoCadastre and Kadaster to effectively collaborate on geo-information integration.”

Reinoud Nuijten, Agricultural Counsellor to Ukraine at the Dutch Embassy in Kyiv, was also very pleased with the signing of the MoU and stated:
“All the land users in Ukraine, including the farmers, will benefit from its effective functioning”.

More information

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Maintenance of large quantity of legal data

Focussing on the maintenance of the large quantity of legal data (more than 10 million objects), a first version of the Land Administration Information System (LAIS) was introduced in the Kigali City District Land Bureaus in 2011. Originally built to support the initial collection of land administration data, from 2011 up to 2018 LAIS has undergone several upgrades. The LAIS version 4.0 as now launched is ready to support the updating and maintenance of legal as well as spatial data.

Guiding the process

From November 2018 Kadaster is guiding RLMUA in this process, working in close cooperation with Dutch and local partners including ESRI Rwanda. RLMU staff has been trained in taking over the maintenance of the system and allocating needed ESRI support. This is needed to keep the system as well as RLMUA IT facilities sustainable.   

Project milestones

Important milestones in this project are:

• The assessment phase
• Data cleaning and migration
• LAIS general functions
• Launching LAIS 4.0
• Remaining system issues

LAIS 4.0 has been launched in November 2019. Support now is focussing on the remaining system issues and starting the structural system maintenance.

Duration of the project

1 November 2018 – 1 August 2020.

More info and contact

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Activities 

Activities focus on:

• Providing advice on integrating land consolidation practice into law and regulations
• Sharing expertise about land consolidation based on experience in the Netherlands
• Reflect and advise on the role of land consolidation in the system of land use planning and land administration (e.g. land administration systems and tools for land consolidation)

Expertise will be shared in a couple of short dedicated missions for training, reviewing legislation and giving examples of land consolidation and the results for agricultural development in specific and rural development in general.

Duration of the project

2019 - 2020

More info and contact

If you want more information about the project or if you want to contact us, please fill in the contact form.

Intended results

It is estimated that up to 60% of the rural population does not have legal proof of ownership over their land, which corresponds to roughly 10 million rural parcels. With our innovative, transparent and participatory Fit-for-Purpose methodology, rural land regularization can be speeded up considerably, fulfilling an important goal in the Colombian peace agreement: securing land rights and rural development.

Envisaged outcomes

• Demonstrate alternative (rapid and effective) methods for land administration in pilot areas
• Formulate a national rollout plan for rapid and effective land administration
• A relevant contribution to improve the effectiveness of the cooperation
• Development of capacity for the maintenance of the cadastre and registry at the municipal level

Results so far

We are doing pilots in various communities in three regions in the country. This has led to data collection and public inspections of several hundreds of parcels. The first 17 land titles were handed out by the Colombian Minister of Agriculture and the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in November 2018. Beside from the technical tests, we are working on diplomatic scale to make political impact that could lead to methodology change in the current land administration policy. High level politicians and various Ministries have shown their great interest for the Land In Peace project.

Duration of the project

2017-2020

More info and contact

For more information about the project visit the website Land in peace. 
If you want to contact us, please fill in the contact form.

It is in this light that GoSL has undertaken several initiatives, one of which is the Development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in St. Lucia. This is part of the overarching Disaster Vulnerability Reduction program (DVRP) funded by the World Bank. 
Together with colleagues from KU Leuven, Kadaster supports the Government of St. Lucia in the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

The project consists of 3 components:

1. Geospatial policy review and development: this component focuses on the legal review of existing national laws, policies and regulations in St. Lucia, somehow influencing the development of the NSDI. It also gives recommendations to support geospatial activities.
2. Business analysis and change strategy development: technological and institutional analysis of the current state of NSDI components and capabilities in Saint Lucia, aiming towards the creation of a change strategy to implement NSDI in line with the goals and needs of GoSL.
3. Change implementation support: support in the implementation of the proposed legal, technological and organizational changes, necessary for the development of the NSDI.

Both Kadaster and KU Leuven have extensive experience in developing spatial data infrastructures, both on the national and European (INSPIRE) level.

Duration

1-1-2019 – 31-12-2019

More info and contact

If you want more information about the project or if you want to contact us, please fill in the contact form.

A global reference

FELA is a framework, not a new standard, method, guideline or approach. It is intended as a global reference to existing work, like for example the Voluntary Guidelines (VGGTs), the Fit for Purpose Land Administration (FFP-LA) approach, or the ISO 19152 standard LADM.

Next steps

Adoption of FELA by the UN-GGIM is just a starting point. There is still a lot of work to be done: communications, educational campaigns and translation of FELA into other languages beyond English. Kadaster will continue its contributions to UN-GGIM in order to leverage the potential of FELA.

Our contribution

Kadaster was involved in this achievement through the Expert Group on Land Administration and Management, comprising over thirty international member states and professional bodies. Especially the processing of the professional and global consultations required the work and commitment of our staff.

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