Regional planning in the land reform literature: A gap to be bridged

SOUZA S. S. and SILVA E. A. Regional planning in the land-reform literature: A gap to be bridged, Regional Studies. This paper reviews recent research efforts in the area of land reform in the developing world, and evaluates comparatively different planning approaches per country. The historical antecedents, socio-economic circumstances, legal framework, and different degrees of governmental intervention influencing access to land in the countryside are covered. A snapshot of the empirical findings in a group of developing countries highlights the need to adopt systematically regional planning strategies that are able to maximize the positive socio-economic impacts of the schemes. It is also concluded that a combination of market and non-market approaches to land reform could be beneficial for developmental purposes. © 2011 Regional Studies Association