Identifying the drivers of the cadastral process of agricultural lands in Iran

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Rural Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Cadastral systems for agricultural land are considered a fundamental tool for land management and sustainable development, as they enhance ownership transparency, reduce legal disputes, and improve agricultural productivity. However, challenges such as a lack of accurate data, outdated legislation, and administrative complexities have hindered their full implementation in Iran. This study aims to identify key driving forces and analyze potential future scenarios of cadastral systems through a futures studies approach. The research employed the cross-impact matrix method using MICMAC software to explore interdependencies among variables. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative data through questionnaires, interviews, and field observations. The statistical population included experts in agriculture, natural resources, geography, and information technology, selected purposefully. Validity of the instruments was ensured using the Delphi method and expert reviews, while reliability was strengthened by carefully choosing specialized respondents. The findings reveal that the driving forces influencing cadastral systems can be categorized into four dimensions: technological, institutional-legal, socio-economic, and environmental. Variables such as “ownership transparency,” “institutional coordination,” “advancement of spatial technologies,” and “investment in digital infrastructure” were identified as having both high influence and high sensitivity. Accordingly, the successful implementation of cadastral systems depends on the adoption of innovative technologies, legal reforms, active social participation, institutional collaboration, and leveraging economic benefits for sustainable development. The results highlight that cadastral systems are not merely technical tools but multidimensional governance mechanisms requiring simultaneous attention to technological, legal, social, institutional, and economic aspects in order to ensure their effectiveness in the agricultural sector.

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Main Subjects

References

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Geography and Regional Future Studies
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 14
Summer
August 2026
Pages 98-119

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