Engaging the Challenge of Rapid Urbanization and Slum Upgrading and Enhancing the Role of Land Surveyors

This paper aims at understanding the domain of rapid urbanization and slum upgrading. Therefore it collects facts in order to clarify the status quo. The paper highlights relevant aspects, such as development of new forms of spatial planning, modern slum upgrading methods, provision of security to flexible people-land relationships, linking informality and formality and enhancing land and property tax revenue to facilitate urban services. It appears that for all aspects, a role for the land surveying profession can be formulated. This role requires mastering the newest geospatial and non-spatial technologies, and the capability to design and maintain cost effective land information systems, which can deliver relevant services to urban residents and city managers.