** Towards sustainable land management: classifying property rights, restrictions and responsibilities
Land administration literature suggests we are in the midst of a land information management crisis; however, this is only a small part of a much broader land management problem. Many new property rights, restrictions and responsibilities (RRRs) created in response to the post WWII sustainability movement not only lack administrative coherence and basic information systems- they are missing overriding theoretical and policy frameworks.
This article builds on recommendations that a complete recentralization of all RRRs through a re-engineered land registry is required. While a 'one size fits all' approach has benefits, it is expensive and would compromise the integrity and efficiency of the registry. Moreover, a truly comprehensive approach must recognize the remarkable divergence among RRRs and promote appropriate human behaviors in relation to land.
RRRs require holistic policy and administrative frameworks to truly deliver sustainable land and resource management. The frameworks must provide consistent RRR creation, administration and information integration mechanisms. We should utilize agencies and systems suitable for each particular RRR: only certain types should be managed within the registry while less important RRRs can be integrated in more cost effective ways with the help of spatial cadastres and internet technologies. Other RRRs may not require integration at all. This paper introduces the RRR Design Framework, a method for describing and classifying RRRs using five key attributes: the policy objective, activity regulated, spatial coverage, duration and community impact. The theoretical framework is based on analysis of successful legislative regimes. It provides a first step in the process of understanding and redesigning our land policy and administration systems.