Land use goes hand in hand with land ownership. Different functions and
uses of land can imply different owners and/or users. A change in land use
can, therefore, result in the displacement of current users. This is the case
when a huge area is zoned as commercial farm land. Previously used and
often owned by the local population, the land is now leased to strangers
(national or foreign investors).
The juxtaposition of different land tenure systems is another reason why
land use and land ownership are closely linked. Due to legal pluralism and
the poor recognition of local land rights, different individuals or groups
can claim ownership or use rights over the same piece of land. Accordingly,
investigation of property needs to be a central part of situation
analysis, discussion and decision-making of future uses.