Land Policy Strategies : Different Approaches Examined
Marije Louwsma & Sanne Holtslag-Broekhof
Governments can follow several land policy strategies to realize location-bound aims as described in spatial policy. In this paper we examine the characteristics of three different strategies related to land: land purchase, land consolidation (mandatory and voluntary) and expropriation. These strategies are applied to a representative case in the rural area that implements several spatial policy aims. The effects of each strategy are explored and evaluated in terms of their efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and democracy. Efficiency relates the outcome to the effort. Effectiveness assesses the results against the planning objectives. Transparency refers to the openness and clearness of the followed procedure for involved citizens. Democracy refers to the level of public participation, i.e. the roles and responsibilities of the citizens and the government. Land purchase is based on voluntary sale of land. Therefore land purchase scores high on democracy, but scores low on effectiveness as it is unsure whether the needed land can be bought. The voluntary form of land consolidation scores high on efficiency and democracy, but scores low on effectiveness for the same reason as land purchase. The mandatory form of land consolidation scores high on effectiveness and transparency, but scores lower on efficiency. Expropriation scores high on transparency and effectiveness as the procedure is clear and all location-bound aims can be realized, but scores low on democracy as the affected citizens have little power over their land. Drawing on the findings, we reflect on the choice for land policy strategies and their pros and cons to implement spatial policy in relation to the planning and policy context.
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