The Flexible Land Tenure System in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the Flexible Land Tenure System (FLTS) in Namibia is in line with the Fit-For-Purpose (FFP) land administration approach which is developed in order to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national and local level in developing countries by providing tenure security to poor people and creating country-wide land recordation systems. The FFP approach is based on a Minimum Viable Product focusing on the specific local tenure security needs, flexibility on survey accuracy, legal and institutional frameworks and an incremental improvement as a foundation for further development. The study is based on a literature study of the SDGs, the FFP approach and the FLTS in Namibia. The literature study is based on contemporary theories on land administration and how access to tenure security can contribute to poverty alleviation. The study indicates that certain elements of the FLTS are complying with the characteristics of the FFP approach and thus has potential to contribute to fulfilling the SDGs in Namibia. There is however a need for further in-depth academic research.