The Land Policy Institute (LPI) collaborates with indigenous institutions and development agencies to enhance institutional capacities in natural resource evaluation, development, and planning.

In this context, we emphasize approaches that are holistic, multi-disciplinary, and sustainable--economically viable and environmentally acceptable. Our ultimate goal is to effectively address the various dimensions of quality of life, from basic needs, such as food security and access to land and capital, to the mobilization of development potential, including the effective delivery of human services, infrastructural improvement, and land use planning in rural and urban settings.

Various phases in this development process may be identified, including:

• Bio-physical asset assessment to identify the natural capital--the complex of land, water, and mineral resources that make up the endowment of countries and denotes resource production capacities and agro-ecological production constraints. In this process land use alternatives are evaluated that can be sustained long-term, based on resource production capacities and rates, and that prevent resource degradation or provide restoration capacity, where needed.
• Socio-economic assessment to identify economically viable production opportunities of goods and services based on prevailing labor and capital cost, product prices, and access to local and international markets. Here, local and regional asset management is emphasized to identify the comparative advantage of communities and regions to foster natural resource-based development, including the potential of the agricultural, forestry, mining, and tourism sectors.
• Policy analysis and formulation to identify long-term development scenarios and implementation strategies. Comparative needs, constraints, opportunities, and trade-offs are identified to select the most appropriate solutions based on economic and environmental performance indicators. Relevant incentives, regulations, or other tools are identified at the local, regional and national level that are effective in policy implementation.

For further information about the International Land Policy & Planning Program, contact Professor Gerhardus Schultink, LPI Associate Director for International Programs, at 517.353.1903 or email schultin@msu.edu.

Useful LPI Page Links:

• Hot Topics
• LPI Focus Areas
• LPI Annual Report
• Research
• Publications
• Tools
• Renewable Energy Program
• Links