ESTATE SURVEYOR, AGAINST LAND DISPUTE AND ITS IMPACT IN RURAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITIES

ESV Ebam Stella Martins

Land disputes significantly hinder development in both rural and urban communities. Although the nature and scale of the impact may differ, the consequences are far-reaching and affect the social, economic, environmental, and infrastructural development of these areas.

In Urban area land disputes delay or stop the construction of housing estates, roads, schools, and public infrastructure and causes Investors to withdraw due to uncertainty, leading to stunted urban growth and underdevelopment of city outskirts.

In Rural areas land disputes prevent agricultural projects, rural electrification, water supply, and other essential services from being implemented and Traditional land ownership issues complicate government or NGO interventions in development projects.

Loss of Investment and Economic Opportunities

Investors shy away from disputed zones, causing decline in property values and reduced tax revenue for local governments.
Business districts and industrial zones suffer loss of investor confidence.

• Farmers may lose access to farmland, leading to reduced agricultural output.
• Communal disputes discourage agri-business investors, affecting rural livelihoods and food security.
  Social Instability and Insecurity
  Land grabbing, forced evictions, and fraudulent land sales lead to civil unrest, protests, and legal battles.
  Informal settlements may rise due to unresolved land issues, contributing to urban slums.
  Disputes between families or clans can result in violence, destruction of property, and long-standing communal conflicts.
  In some cases, it leads to loss of lives and displacement of entire communities.

Distortion of Planning and Zoning Efforts

Land disputes disrupt urban planning, making it difficult for authorities to enforce zoning laws or implement master plans.
Informal and unplanned developments become widespread.

Conflicts over land boundaries affect rural land use planning (e.g., roads, irrigation, and markets).
Traditional rulers or land-owning families may resist government planning efforts due to ownership tensions.

Delays in Infrastructure Development

Projects such as highways, hospitals, schools, and rail lines are delayed when land is under litigation.

Government may be forced to re-route infrastructure, increasing project costs.

Projects like feeder roads, rural clinics, boreholes, and schools are delayed or stopped due to ownership disputes or compensation issues.

Weakening of Governance and Legal Systems

High volume of unresolved land disputes overburdens courts and land registries.

Corruption may increase as parties attempt to influence outcomes.

Customary land tenure systems may conflict with formal laws, leading to legal confusion.

Community trust in local or traditional authorities may erode.

Conclusion

Land disputes have a detrimental impact on both rural and urban development. In rural areas, they hinder agricultural productivity and basic infrastructure development, while in urban areas, they stall housing, investment, and city planning efforts. Addressing land disputes through legal reform, effective land administration, public awareness, and involvement of professionals like estate surveyors is key to sustainable development in any community.

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