Extended Armendariz Rings

In this note we introduce central linear Armendariz rings as a generalization of Armendariz rings and investigate their properties

Land based finance for sustainable urban development in Africa: Challenges and prospect

As African cities expand so does the pressure to improve infrastructure and extend key public services for the growing urban populations. With limited tax receipts, local governments are struggling to finance new urban development or even maintain existing infrastructure. As land has inherent advantages in generating revenue, Land-based financing (LBF) is being seriously considered or piloted as an innovative and additional source for enhancing budgets for infrastructure projects, public services and wider sustainable development. However, the potential and limitations of implementing LBF in African socio-economic and political contexts have been under-researched. LBF feasibility depends on efficiency of several systems such as land rights, land markets, planning process, valuation protocols, local economic strategies and stakeholder involvement as part of a wider functional land governance framework. Based on emerging literature review and assessment of the policy discourse, this article critically explores the Responsible Land Administration (RLA) principles, professional practices and technical capacities that could facilitate the deployment of LBF instruments to invigorate smart, prosperous, fair and inclusive African cities

The Land Rights, Climate Justice and Gender Equality Conundrum: Human Rights Strategies and Practice

Climate change-related threats and land insecurities are increasingly impacting upon disadvantaged communities, especially women. In the context of evolving land policy discourse and priorities, intertwined land tenure, climate change, and gender equality require reference to global normative human rights and development frameworks. Human Rights treaties, the Paris Agreement, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda, among others have strategic policy implications. While professionals focus on land use planning, management, administration policy tools, climate change activists rely on a range of advocacy, mobilization and ‘justice’ approaches. For example, women’s rights and community groups have increasingly sought accountability through global human rights standards, environmental targets and enforceable gender equality norms. This article outlines how human rights play a vital role in these debates, seeking to mediate the tensions and synergies between competing approaches to land, climate and gender, despite gaps and inconsistencies which often frustrate their outcomes. Through human rights-based approaches (HRBAs) offer advocates for land rights, gender equality and climate action a hybrid, innovative and pragmatic platform to develop creative alliances with social justice and development partners to deliver incremental but tangible gender-responsive land and climate rights