WEB-BASED LAND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY OF NAIROBI CITY COUNCIL

Abstract

Reliable land information is crucial for planning and development of any country. There are various challenges thathinder proper management of land information. In Kenya rapid pace of development, coupled with highpopulation growth rates brings with it heavy burdens on land management. Hence it is imperative that Kenyaneeds an effective Land Information System. Currently land information in Kenya is managed by variousorganizations which include the Ministry of Lands, survey of Kenya (SOK), city and county councils. This results tolack of standardized method of capturing, recording, and maintaining land-related data, resulting to duplication ofinformation. This structure also hinders easy access to consistent, accurate, up-to-date land information in a costeffectivemanner. The current labor-intensive manual processes used to collect, store and maintain thisinformation contain a greater risk for human error. The main objective of the study was to develop a web-basedland information management system with an aim of providing a proper land information collection, storage anddissemination platform for the Nairobi City Council. The proposed system is composed of three subcomponents: asingle database, web-based mapping component and a website. The database provided is centralized, mappingcomponent provides tools for data updating and visualization while the website hosts the mapping component andalso provides additional information related to land management. To develop the system stable GeographicalInformation Systems (GIS) softwares and other Open Source softwares were used that included Quantum GIS andMapserver. The system contained information on parcel ownership, land use, taxation, location boundary, landvalue, encumbrance and many more. The system offers a streamlined flow of land information within the Nairobicity council ensuring there is well structured process of collecting, storing and disseminating land information.Adoption of the system will ensures we leverage advancement in GIS technology in management of variableresources.