Land aministration system: A tool of e-Governance
The multipurpose system will provide not only land ownerships and property information but also a large variety of land information such as land use, land zoning, infrastructure information, building, properties, and addresses. The multipurpose system model describes five components: a Fundamental Geodetic Network (FGN) as a reference framework, a series of regular cadastral sections located and monumented as a basic cadastral grid for cadastral overlays, a series of large-scale maps of natural and physical features, an Integrated Land Administration System (ILAS) dealing with the multiple forms of land information, and a computerized Land information system (LIS) (El-ayachi, 2005).
Components of the
infrastructure model
The fundamental network is a geometric foundation that allows a proper spatial linkage between features across an area. All the locational data will be shared and integrated to serve the multiple purposes of the system. The cadastral data and related information will integrate numerically the modern system. To serve these needs, all surveyed properties and parcels must be tied to the cadastral sections to permit adding safely all natural details to the existing cadastral maps.
While this foundation is established for a long-term use, its control points must be compiled accurately and progressively. The ongoing GPS network must be tied to the first or second order of the existing geodetic network. When the transferring parameters are compiled, we can densify the GPS network and provide locational information of the new control points in both the Lambert and Cartesian systems. Once the required density is achieved, the cadastral sections are created and tied to the new control points.
In the framework of the new model, the value of land information depends of the costs of producing the basic data. To save time, money, and energy it is a necessary mission to conceive best practices and to develop convenient technical solutions. This is assured by developing large-scale maps presenting natural and physical features related to land data with respects to the various user needs. Thus, the creating of large-scale maps at a scale of 1/5000 and more will have its significant justifications regarding the new requirements of both the society and the government. Firstly, these maps will be the foundation upon which most, or all, other geospatial information overlays are built. Secondly, we observe intensifying pressures on land information for planning and development projects especially at the local levels. Thirdly, the so-called Regional Centers of Investment, require a large inventory of land to assist policy makers and to evaluate land information needed in various development projects.
The basic unit of the large-scale maps shows the contents of the basic cadastral section that cover an area of 4.5x3.0 km2. However, a realistic approach should be made based on the nature of each zone and on the kind of projects to be conducted. For every urban zone, maps at a scale of 1/1000 must be generated. In case of populated cities, maps at a scale of 1/500 are needed. These maps are added to the cadastral overlays to display the properties and parcels they cover, then to be submitted to the local rules in term of restrictions and obligations regulating land uses. In the areas including suburban zones, towns, and villages, the use of maps at scales from 1/2000 to 1/5000 are practically sufficient. The local conditions concerning the social and economical aspects of lands determine on the other hand the choice of the scales to adopt. In forests and widely cultivated areas, the corresponding maps scales are from 1/5000 to 1/10000.
The success of the new strategy will depend widely on the effective and great contribution of the cadastral services at the local level to produce and update all land data and ownerships. The local level is a basic mean of assembling community, local administration, private companies, and investors around lands and land rights. This enables local authorities to better making decision on the land management and administration. The maintaining of the multipurpose system, at the local level, will be assigned to each Land Facility via its Office of Land Administration System. Every Office will deal with the former functions related to surveying works. It will create and maintain the cadastral sections according to the regional guidelines to facilitate collecting and updating data by the public and private agencies. The establishment of a general land inventory will be performed at this level requiring national standards and regulation.
The development of computerized land information system belongs to the local level. They provide cadastral overlays concerning the cadastral sections, the property boundaries, the parcels within each property, the land tenure, and administrative boundaries concerning cities, circles, and districts. They will make efforts to develop a land information system as a basis for implementing the multipurpose land information system with respect to regional and national guidelines. The local authorities will have to cooperate with the provincial boards, city and commune councils, and local representatives of various departments such as housing, equipments, education, forest, environment, and agriculture.
Conclusion
The main objective of the cadastre in Morocco is to define accurately and safely properties, land tenure, and their physical and locational characteristics. However, as the land titling system is voluntary, a new multipurpose system must be developed to enable progressively a systematic definition of land. The new system aims to support land planning purposes, land administration, land taxation, and agricultural development projects. The old system is characterized by a long time consuming, high registration costs per property, and absence of an exhaustive overview of existing parcels and properties within an area.
The multipurpose land information system will be a comprehensive system offering several advantages in managing all kinds of land information. Its development does not mean the creation of a new system, but the perspective is to re-engineer the existing frame and upgrade it to improve managerial, functional, and operational procedures. Naturally, a progressive approach is necessary to make the first steps of building the new system less expensive. We should focus on the enhancement of its technical procedures by the mean of developing guidelines and standards and introducing new technologies. The primary tasks necessary for future system implementation is to establish systematically and gradually regular cadastral sections and large-scale maps. The same sections are tied to the global geodetic network and will serve technically as the basic reference for cadastral and surveying operations.