Factors influencing land consolidation success: lessons learned in Lithuania
LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Kaimo tvarumas; Tvarus vystymasis; Žemės konsolidacija; Žemės konsolidacijos projektai Lietuvoje; Žemės konsoliidacija; Žemės konsoliidacijos projektai Lietuvoje; Žemės ūkis; Agriculture; Development sustainability; Land consolidation; Land consolidation projects in Lithuania; Lithuania; Rural sustainability.
ENEffective land management instruments are currently available to solve rural problems involving land fragmentation, lack of infrastructure, alternative energy resources, nature protection, land abandonment, etc. This powerful tool — land consolidation — has already been tried and evaluated in many Western European (WE) countries. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are especially interested in this tool as immediately after the collapse of the Soviet regimes the initial land reforms were the cause of many problems, especially in regard to maintaining rural sustainability. Many CEE countries have already introduced training in how to deal with simple voluntary land consolidation (LC) and are familiar with best practice as presented by western experts. However, what is valid in one country, is not necessarily valid elsewhere, as historical backgrounds, traditions and culture need to be taken into consideration. It is, therefore necessary to consolidate fragmented best practices from both WE and CEE countries and to prepare international guidelines for LC experts. In order to do that, land consolidation experts should work hand in hand to exchange all the necessary information regarding practice in their country to consolidate and create the guidelines for this uniform system. This paper is based on findings from Lithuania and reveals aspects which might be taken into account for CEE countries preparing their LC methodology. The paper is structured to run through the project process, analysing every player involved in it. The authors suggest evaluating all success factors before launching the project. [Text from author]
