Do Design Science Research and Design Thinking Processes Improve the ‘Fit’ of the Fit-For-Purpose Approach to Securing Land Tenure for All in South Africa?

Abstract

In South Africa, land tenure security is a challenge for 60% or more of the population who hold interests in land outside of the formal system of registered title. There is a need for the cadastral and land administration systems to be reshaped, and for new land tenure forms to be developed to record all land rights and interests so as to improve land tenure security for all. In this paper, we undertake a reflective retrospective of the processes of land administrative reform in South Africa using a thematic framework that includes fit-for-purpose, design science research, and design thinking processes. Literary sources are coded using the thematic framework to identify potential contributions of foregrounding design science research and design thinking in fit-for-purpose land administration (FFP LA) approaches. Design science research paired with tools of behavioral science add value in understanding the context, problems, needs, and objectives and in communicating the results of critical reflection. The design thinking process has much to offer in capitalizing on the human abilities of empathy, deep understanding, and challenging assumptions, setting the scene for unconstrained creative thinking. Design science research and design thinking within FFP LA may promote innovations in land administration systems reform initiatives that deliver restorative justice in the South African land sector.

Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration—Providing Secure Land Rights at Scale

“…Hull and Whittal [23] conduct a reflective retrospective of the processes of land administrative reform in South Africa to determine how land administration systems should be reshaped and new land tenure reforms to be developed. They adopt a thematic framework that innovatively combines FFPLA, design science research, and design thinking processes to help to unlock sensitive and empathetic innovations in land administration systems reform initiatives that will deliver restorative justice.…”

Applying the Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) for Integrated, Standardized, and Sustainable Development of Cadastre Country Profile for Pakistan

“…This approach enables the creation of artifacts (design cycle) using a background knowledge base and scientific theories (rigor cycle), ultimately paving the way for their implementation to improve systems (relevance cycle) [93,94]. Alattas [95] implemented DSR and found it valid for the creation and integration of LADM and indoor modelling, whereas Hull and Whittal [96] implemented DSR to improve secure land tenure.…”

Facilitating Community Transition to Sustainable Land Governance: A Study of a Communal Settlement in South Africa

“…This unpreparedness can lead to challenges for the communities in adapting to and managing change effectively [7]. Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze land reform and reconcile formal and informal land governance systems for enhancing land tenure security in communal settlements [2,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. These studies provide an overview of the key themes in land tenure and property rights in the global South.…”