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Developing countries are facing a number of challenges in search of development. Various policies and strategies have been formulated and many are already in the process of implementation in different countries. Among the policies are National Land Policies (NLP).
Because of the explosion of human population, land has continued to be scarce. It is as if it were shrinking in size. Therefore, governments have had to conceive plans to optimize its use to bring about socio-economic cum political development without lowering its quality. Such conceptions have led to the development of National Land Policies. Such policies are intended to enable the present generation to exploit the land without degrading it so that it is also available for the needs of future generations.
Those in the land sector professions have been privileged a great deal to be in a position in which, through the formulation and implementation of land policies, may facilitate and influence the way land as a resource can be used for the development of mankind. In that respect, they have a noble task to proactively tackle the challenges that mankind faces with respect to the use of land in pursuit of befitting livelihood status and prosperity. During the process of formulation of land policies, governments rely on expert advice mainly from the land sector professionals, among them: land surveyors, valuers, spatial planners, geo-information experts, as well as other professionals; including lawyers, economists, architects and sociologists so that feasible policies that are pro-poor can be produced.
This paper addresses the role that professionals can play to contribute to the formulation and implementation of National Land Policies. Critical land sector issues that the policies address are examined, knowledge-based qualities that should characterize professionals are discussed, and options for the way forward are proposed. In the process the following are addressed: innovative approaches, networking, partnerships and cooperation. Examples are drawn from National Land Policies of eight countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.
