Understanding the inter-relationships for the creation of a local land information system : the Zimbabwean local government experience at growth points.
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Date
2000
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Abstract
Zimbabwe is made up of eight provinces, fifty-seven districts and as many Rural
District Councils. In each district there is at least one Growth Point although some
may have up to two or more. A Growth Point is a 'town or City in the making' and is
usually, but not necessarily the capital of a district. Rural District Councils, which
form the local administrative authority and have administrative responsibility over the
land that falls within their jurisdictions, are often located at these Growth Points.
These local authorities liaise and interact closely with central government, which is
made up of Ministries and Departments with different functions, which somehow
hinge on the administration of the land. This makes the linkages and land information
flows, based on land records crucial. The legacy of the history of separate
development introduced and left systems of government, which are complex and
hinder a free flow of information within central government and also between central
and local governments. These linkages and interrelationships are mapped and traced
with a view to streamlining information flows in order to eliminate or minimize flaws .
While the efforts of decentralisation towards this goal are recognized, the
shortcomings have been cited and the thesis makes some recommendations based on a
research undertaken with the cooperation of Gokwe Rural District Council at Gokwe
Growth Point. The thesis recommends strengthening the local capacity by assisting
their efforts to computerise their records and eventually develop that into a fully
integrated local Land Information System that should eventually be linked to the
National System.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.Sur.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.
Keywords
Land tenure--Zimbabwe., Information storage and retrieval systems--Land use., Land use--Government policy--Zimbabwe., Theses--Surveying.