This paper is presenting a series of key definitions and concepts related to urban land tenure and informality — and its possible links with tenure insecurity and poverty. It reviews the potential social and economic effects of land tenure formalization, proposing then a typology of tenure formalisation programmes that sheds light on the diversity of approaches and practices. Next, we present the methodological issues raised by impact evaluations of tenure formalisation programmes and review the main results. This leads us to a critical discussion concerning tenure formalisation strategies and practices. Finally, we provide some suggestions for the implementation and evaluation of tenure formalisation policies.

http://www.worldbank.org/urban/symposium2007/papers/durand_lasserve.pdf