Land Administration Concepts and Issues: Cases from Tanzania, Zambia and Zanzibar

Land is the ultimate resource for humankind especially those of the developing world. From the land we get all that is of value. It is a vital resource that must be exploited to attain economic growth and sustainable livelihoods. It is likewise a legal space in which bundles of rights are defined by state laws and other frameworks to govern human relations with its use. In generality it is the surface of the Earth, the soils, the rocks beneath, the air above and all things fixed to the soil, naturally or constructed property. Land is hence a source of all material wealth and a platform of human activity at the disposal of humankind. However, Land is limited in extent within national jurisdictions - it cannot expand though can be degraded by human actions and climate change.Good custody of the land and possible earnings for public revenue have compelled the setting up of land administration systems the world over since Napoleonic times, but modern day systems must respond to principles of good governance and sustainaability.