International Seminar and State and Public Land Management
and FIG Commission 7 Annual Meeting
Verona, Italy, 9-15 September 2008
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From left to right:
András Osskó (Chair FIG Commission 7); Domenico Romanelli (President of the Provincial College of
Surveyors of Verona); Fausto Savoldi (CNGeGL President); and
Stig Enemark (FIG President). |
Verona – Italy – was the Global Capitol for Land Professionals
Verona, Italy, has been the meeting point for two FIG events being held
from 9–15 September 2008. One event was the International Seminar on State
and Public Land Management – this seminar was organised by FIG Commission 7
(Cadastre & Land Management) and the Consiglio Nazionale Geometri e Geometri
Laureati (CNGeGL), in co-operation with FIG Commission 9 (Valuation and the
Management of Real Estate) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) Land Tenure and Management Unit. The Seminar was
followed by the Annual Meeting of the FIG Commission 7, organised in close
cooperation with CNGeGL. Both events attracted Land Professionals from all
over the world.
Seminar on State and Public Land Management
The seminar aimed to help raise global awareness of problems associated
with state/public land and its management, improve knowledge of good
practices in this area, and encourage these to be addressed in new
development initiatives. Introductions by Stig Enemark on work of FIG
in this area and Mika Törhönen on work of FAO. Willi Zimmermann
stated that 37 % of the planet is "owned" by around 147 states - 21 % of the
planet is "owned" by 26 monarchs holding ultimate ownership; there were no
contributions from this type of states. It was observed that poor governance
of public lands disproportionately affects the poor. There is a need for a
pro-poor policy on public lands because of dependence of rural poor on such
lands. Case studies were presented by experiences. There are different types
of state lands – a ‘continuum’ can be constructed (similar to the continuum
of Land Rights as developed by UN-HABITAT). State lands deliver public
services that individuals cannot provide for themselves. State land
management can be improved by technical means and by good governance in Land
Administration – legitimate, responsive, accountable, representative,
transparent, equitable, consistent and impartial, participatory and
dedicated to integrity. Solving this is in fact is a political and social
issue – it is about power relationships. Guidelines in relation to this
subject will be published in the very near future by FAO.
Annual Meeting FIG Commission 7
This Annual Meeting has a long history and is in fact the only world wide
forum for Land Administrators and Land Professionals. FIG President Enemark
highlighted that surveyors have an important role in achieving the
Millennium Development Goals. Land Administration is in support of the
Global Agenda, global partnerships are continuously under further
development. Many subjects were under discussion, knowledge sharing and
networking is most important for developing countries. Surveyors contribute
to land management. In so called developing countries massive land titling
programmes and land administration projects failed in many cases to realise
social objectives. Collaborative and participatory approaches are needed, as
more attention to the development of rural area’s. New land tools are
required, e.g. the Social Tenure Domain Model. Impact of e-Governance,
e-Conveyancing, e-Land Administration and many other complex e-Area’s was
discussed – especially on changes in processes, existing power structures in
land administration and ongoing business during implementation. The annual
meeting was traditionally combined with an open symposium this time on
Environment and Land Administration “Big Works for the Defence of the
Territory" – e.g. the protection of historical Venice for high water levels;
this is a serious construction work. There are impacts on Land
Administration.
Commission chair András Osskó looked back to successful events –
with thanks to our Italian colleagues for their excellent organisation.
Verona is Passion!
Read more:
Presentations:
- Stig Enemark: Environment and Land Administration - Focus on Rights,
Restrictions and Responsibilities. Keynote presentation at the FIG
Commission 7 Open Symposium, Verona, Italy 14 September 2008.
Picture Galleries:
- Commission 7 Annual Meeting
- Open Symposium on Environment and Land Administration "Big Works
for the Defence of the Territory"
- FIG/FAO/CNG Symposium
- Excursion to Mose in Venice
Richard Grover and Christiaan Lemmen
15 September 2008 |
