Project Name

Land Use Policy and Administation Project

Beneficiary

Government of the Bahamas

Project Site

Bahamas

Funding Source

IADB Project Funds

Implementation Time

August 2006 - Present

Project Objectives/Components

The general objective of the Project was to improve the efficiency of land administration and land information management while preparing modern land policy guidelines and legislation, thereby contributing to improve the use of land resources of The Bahamas.  To achieve this objective the Project consists of three standalone, but interrelated componenets:

1. Land Administration Modernization
2. Land Information Management; and
3. National Land Issues and Policy Guidelines

Project Tasks

• Initial establishment of a new geodetic infrastructure in the Bahamas with the development of a new datum and re-established geodetic control on the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros and Great Inagua
• Development of a GPS-based geodetic control and cadastral surveying capacity in the DOLS and the private surveying community
• Designed, developed and installed a computerized Parcel Information Management System (PIMS) including approximately 70,000 properties on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama in the offices of the DOLS, the Registrar Generals Department (RGD), the Real Property Tax Deaprtment (RPT) and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA)
• Trained government staff in the aforementioned departments to operate and maintain the PIMS
• Completed a comprehensive analysis of overriding land issues including; land tenure security, reform and modernization of land legislation, rationalization of land institutions, development of an integrated land use planning process and the improvement of land valuation and real property tax administration
• Prepared a series of land policy recommendations, options and guidelines that will serve to inform the development of a national land policy by government.

Implementation Team

International Land Systems (ILS), Inc.

Simmons Aerofilms

Terra Institute, Ltd.