Land Subdivision in Peri-Urban Areas of Sub-Saharan African Cities: Conceptual Definitions and Policy Guidelines

Abstract

This paper reviews the conceptual issues of land subdivision in peri-urban areas within the context of African cities. Land subdivision is often the first step in the process of converting rural land to urban uses. It involves the division of land into plots or lots for sale and development. The purpose is to provide orderly and efficient development of a new incorporated township. Research on the formation of urban fringe zones has not been explicit about land subdivision though its importance is implicit. Research on urban land subdivision provides us with useful conceptual link between rural-to-urban land use conversion and internal structural changes within a city. The lack of implementation of existing regulatory framework of land subdivision often creates land use conflicts especially in cities of developing countries. The review of literature thus provides clarity on the definitions of sub-themes and policy guidelines in urban land subdivision with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa.