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Regional workshop on Spatial approaches for land use and local governance, 24-26 November 1999, Pretoria, South Africa

Caron P. (ed.), Swanepoel F. (ed.), Stroebel A. (ed.). 2000. Pretoria : University of Pretoria, 95 p.. Regional Workshop on Spatial Approaches for Land Use and Local Governance, 1999-11-24/1999-11-26, Pretoria (Afrique du Sud).

Decentralisation of decision making and empowerment of local communities have a significant effect on a large number of countries in the SADC region. The State is reducing its direct resource allocation and involvement and is transferring the responsibility for development planning and support to the local governments. It is desirable since it provides the opportunity for involving new stakeholders in decision making, therefore empowering previously disadvantaged communities. It further provides the opportunity for institutional responses adapted to specific local conditions. However, the success is directly related to the local management capability and their ability and experience to mobilise and manage resources. These rapid changes, as well as the impact of liberalisation, calls for a new approach in agricultural research, technology and information development and transfer. In addition, there is a need for designing and testing methods to stimulate the participation and the dialogue between local stakeholders in the rural development process. Available information is generally sectorial (i.e. pedology, climatology, demography, production practises and volumes, health, etc). This information is often not up to date and does not account for the transformation processes of the rural world. While censuses might exist, they often address descriptions of objects in relation to administrative boundaries, which are not always relevant to explain the evolution and prospects of agriculturally-based rural development initiatives. Professionals in the SADC region recently started to undertake research and development activities focussed on spatial approaches for land use and local governance with the aim of supporting agriculture and rural development planning at community and local government levels. However, experiences to date remain isolated, therefore an urgent need was identified to provide an opportunity for professionals working in this field to gather and to excha

Mots-clés : décentralisation; planification régionale; prise de décision; recherche; système d'information; système d'information géographique; gestion des ressources; zonage; réforme foncière; afrique du sud; zimbabwe; namibie; gestion de l'espace; recherche-action

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