Land use management in the context of traditional vernacular settlements for hill areas of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

In recent years, a cauldron of land and resource conflicts, driven by the increasing demand for land and resources by investors and infrastructure projects has surfaced, often at the expense of millions of rural poor. The concept of land acquisition disturbs the land owners as these individuals subsist on these resources for their livelihood. To overcome such situations, the concept of ‘Land pooling’ can be introduced, consolidating scattered land parcels for a unified public utility and infrastructure provision. Out of which, a share is taken for the intended development and the rest is then redivided among the owners. The present study was conducted through a pilot survey considering opinions and overviews from the owners, planning officials, and private investors on conventional land use management practices. Thereafter, a scientific model based on a literature review and field survey, recommending the concept of land pooling and reconsolidation was developed and discussed with the same stakeholders again. Subsequently, stakeholders’ feedback was taken for the understanding and acceptance of land pooling. The study concludes that with alternative land use management, cadastral parcels can be converted to regularized land plots, with more economic value leading to efficient, sustainable and equitable land development. It further showed that proper land reconstitution can lead to an optimized land utilization pattern resulting in the possibility of more accessible, planned, fair, and resilient urban development. It can also be used for the development of Greenfield and brownfield areas along with redevelopment and revitalization of old unplanned towns.