Land administration is a fundamental infrastructure for the sustainable economic and social development of all societies. A simple indication of properties and boundaries is often adequate to meet basic land administration needs in less developed countries. Therefore the World Bank and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) developed the ‘Fit for purpose’ approach. The idea behind ‘Fit for purpose’ is that land administration should be designed to meet the needs of people and the environment. It also should identify the way land is occupied and used within a relatively short time and at relatively low costs.
In general, building a proper land administration system is very complex, cost and time consuming. When such a system is implemented it takes generations to notice change in society. A farmer with a land conflict at 25 can solve his conflict and start farming when he is 85. This, of course, is a situation which does not allow for economic development. A flexible and pragmatic approach that is ‘Fit for purpose’ means that land administration systems are simple at the start and can improve over time whenever necessary or relevant. It is a dynamic process: purposes evolve, thus administrations as well.
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