As a concept

There is a gap in the conventional land administration systems such that customary and informal tenure cannot be easily handled. There is a need for complimentary approaches in land administration.

The concept of the Social Tenure Domain Model is to bridge this gap by providing a standard for representing ‘people – land’ relationships independent of the level of formality, legality and technical accuracy.

As a model

The STDM is a ‘specialization’ of the ISO-approved Land Administration Domain Model (LADM). LADM development took place in parallel of STDM development as a concept and a model, and that the core developers of both models are the same or supportive of each other.
Any form of right, responsibility or restriction in a formal system is considered as a social tenure relationship in STDM.

Any form of right, responsibility or restriction in a formal system is considered as a social tenure relationship in STDM.

As an information tool

The need for efficient land rights’ recordation tools and use of ICT has become a necessity and increasingly becoming more available in recent times. The STDM information tool provides the front-end interface for testing and applying the STDM concept and model.

Building from the STDM prototype version and in adherence to GLTN core values, UN-Habitat/GLTN together with its implementing partners, have supported the continuous development of the information tool in a variety of application areas ranging from informal settlement upgrading to natural resource management.