The role of community participation in achieving temporary land tenure security for the urban poor in developing countries

Schooling, Chris (2015) The role of community participation in achieving temporary land tenure security for the urban poor in developing countries. Masters by Coursework thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

This thesis focuses on how communities within urban informal settlements in developing countries can achieve temporary land tenure security. I argue that an anthropological theoretical framework ensures that social relations, the power of communities in achieving goals, and non--‐tangible forms of property, are appropriately considered, with this approach being more reflective of the real context in informal urban settlements. There are a number of land tenure mechanisms that empower communities to various levels to achieve land tenure security, and this research specifically analyses the Community Mortgage Program of the Philippines, the Land Rental Slums Mechanism from Thailand and the concept of usufruct, common in the legislation of a number of developing countries. While all of these mechanisms utilise elements of the anthropological approach to achieve varying levels of land tenure security, I consider that usufruct provides the strongest opportunities to effectively achieve temporary land tenure security for the urban poor. In the context of Cambodia, I demonstrate that the evolution of land law has been chaotic, and it is subject to inconsistent implementation and bureaucratic manipulation. Despite this legislative background I explain that it is possible, in a broad sense, for urban poor communities to participate in the pursuit of temporary land tenure security. However to ensure success, an appropriate framework and process for community participation must be utilised. Using Choguill’s Ladder of Community Participation for Underdeveloped Countries (1996), I propose a logical six--‐step procedure that guides community participation in the wider land tenure security processes.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters by Coursework)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs
Supervisor(s):	Hutchison, Jane
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/29396

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