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Managing public urban lands for sustainable urban development in Bujumbura, Burundi: The role of land administration system

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Abstract

Public Urban Lands (PULs) are among the pieces of land that will contribute to achieving sustainable urban development. There is a need to have an effective Land Administration System (LAS) to manage PULs. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of existing LAS in managing PULs in achieving sustainable urban development in Bujumbura City. The study used a mixed research approach for data collection and analysis. Qualitative data were collected from secondary literature and key informant interviews while quantitative data were collected using questionnaires. The participants were selected by applying the probability sampling approach with simple random sampling. The equation developed by Cochran was applied. Qualitative data were analysed using a content analysis approach, whereas a descriptive approach was used for quantitative data. The findings show that Burundi’s LAS is ineffective in managing PULs and negatively affects urban sustainability. The management aspect lacks strategies, planning, and action plans focused on managing PULs. The encroachment observed in PULs by informal settlements and other illegal changes in the use of PULs has affected the urban ecology. Finally, it is recommended that Burundi’s government establish a LAS that can contribute to sustainable urban development.

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Fig. 1

Source: Author, based upon literature review

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Notes

  1. In this paper, PULs refer to wetlands, open spaces, and river banks (list not exhaustive) as defined by the Burundi Land Policy of 2008 and Burundi Land Act of 2011 which define public lands in urban and rural areas.

  2. With the meaning of 'land without owner'.

  3. Office Burundais de l'Urbanisme, de l'Habitat et de la Construction (OBUHA) translated in English as Burundi Office of Urbanism, Habitat and construction.

  4. Last census in Burundi was carried out in 2008.

  5. First constitution (1962) of Burundi that acknowledged freehold ownership in Burundi.

  6. WDI, Macro Poverty Outlook, and official data, 2020 https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/708231492188151479/mpo-bdi.pdf

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the contribution of Kenny-Lazar Miles Richard from Laos for proofreading this article.

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  1. Bahir Dar University- Institute of Land Administration, P.O. Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Prosper Turimubumwe, Achamyeleh Gashu Adam & Berhanu Kefale Alemie

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Turimubumwe, P., Adam, A.G. & Alemie, B.K. Managing public urban lands for sustainable urban development in Bujumbura, Burundi: The role of land administration system. GeoJournal 89, 10 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-024-10998-8

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