Importance of Land in SDG Policy Instruments: A Study of ASEAN Developing Countries

Abstract

Allocating land-related social, economic, and legal benefits to people is crucial for meeting the commitments made by various countries for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Economic growth in developing countries in the Southeast Asian region is very rapid, requiring primary resources such as land, which poses challenges for implementing nationally determined commitments towards SDGs. This paper quantitatively compares the relevant policy instruments issued by the key ASEAN countries to analyze the importance of land provision in achieving the specific SDGs. Using content analysis to formulate a framework for comparing the various policy instruments and strategic plans, the article identifies the importance of land use in various policy instruments focused on achieving SDGs. Most countries use authoritative instruments to incorporate land-related aspects. The use of the symbolic, capacity-building, and incentive instruments is relatively lesser. Many countries give prominence to land for providing shelter or as an economic resource, while land use for managing gender equality is negligible. Policy makers could incorporate a more balanced mix of instruments and those addressing different dimensions of land use while redesigning their policy or strategy documents to implement SDGs.

The Economic Development of Asian Countries With Achievement of SDG 8: A Systematic Literature Review

“…In addition, in achieving the goals of economic development, many factors cause the process of economic growth. The rapid economic growth not accompanied by per capita income makes it difficult to get a stable economy (Tirumala & Tiwari, 2022).…”

“…Economic growth is a process in a country related to better conditions for a country (Lucas & Landman, 2021). This economic growth is closely related to people's welfare which then becomes a benchmark for a country regarding whether the government is included in the category of good economic conditions (Tirumala & Tiwari, 2022). What follows is the achievement of the country's economic growth following SDGs goal 8, namely decent work and economic growth, in goal 8, which supports sustainable economic growth, while also having productive and respected work opportunities (Fioramonti et al, 2022).…”

Critical Studies of the Land Mafia Practices: Evidence in Indonesia

“…According to experts in Tirumala and Tiwari (2022), along with social and economic development, especially in the urban context and increasing population, the availability of land as per capita land has decreased (Novita, 2022), and is very minimal (Ginting, 2020). The need for land is very significant so that it has an impact on levels of hunger, poverty and welfare (Tirumala & Tiwari, 2022), and also has an impact on the emergence of land disputes due to land mafia practices.…”

“…According to experts in Tirumala and Tiwari (2022), along with social and economic development, especially in the urban context and increasing population, the availability of land as per capita land has decreased (Novita, 2022), and is very minimal (Ginting, 2020). The need for land is very significant so that it has an impact on levels of hunger, poverty and welfare (Tirumala & Tiwari, 2022), and also has an impact on the emergence of land disputes due to land mafia practices. According to the Big Indonesian Dictionary or Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia or KBBI (2000), the mafia is a secret society engaged in crime (criminal); judiciary consisting of: 1) A group of advocates who control the judicial process so that they can acquit the accused if the accused can provide money in accordance with the amount requested by them: issues regarding the trial are spread through coverage in various newspapers; 2) Conspiracy between law enforcers and justice seekers; 3) Forgiveness is any business or anything related to the mafia.…”

“…), topography (soil uplands, lowlands, and coastal plains), land ownership, land values. However, in its development, land has become a mainstay of infrastructure development and is very important for providing various civil services (Tirumala & Tiwari, 2022) to accelerate physical development.…”