Categorization of the municipal setting

The categorization of the municipal setting is an instrument that allows a better understanding of the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the territory participating in the programmes. It is an instrument for the planning, definition and costing of project intervention. It can also be used to analyse the results obtained by LAPs in the various territories by comparing the results obtained in relation to the characteristics of the municipal setting at the start of the projects. This instrument takes into account the situation of the municipal district in relation to six factors: territory; population; communication, health and education services; social and economic development; land administration practices; and accessibility (see fact sheet on Categorization of the municipal setting).

The purpose of this instrument is to establish the necessary parameters for measuring the capabilities of municipal governments for integration in the LAS. Compliance with evaluation criteria is “controllable” by the LAP and municipal governments as better indicators are achieved in each category.
The system establishes seven main variables for measuring the capability of municipal governments in terms of land administration: 1) human resources, 2) equipment and logistics, 3) the cadastral information system, 4) cadastral cover, 5) cadastral maintenance; 6) financial sustainability, and 7) the multifunctional use of the cadastre.

Each municipal government can be qualified using these indicators according to the weighting of each variable (see fact sheet Diagnosis of the land administration capabilities of municipal governments). This diagnosis can consequently serve as a baseline for gathering information and establishing the initial values of results framework indicators.

This instrument, which is more sophisticated and useful for LAP evaluation, collects all the system indicators, identifies variables and determines the tools to be applied at the various evaluation levels: key products, results (intermediate and key) and effects. Each evaluation activity can choose the indicators necessary for the evaluation of its project and can also adapt them according to the information types available and according to the aims of each project (see results framework).
Product monitoring consists of the collection and registration of information necessary for carrying out strengthening activities. Evaluation of the results and effects of LAPs at municipality level requires the periodic application of instruments to demonstrate improvements in their performance within the national land administration system.

For raising taxes

In Central America, the majority of municipal governments are empowered to raise property taxes (see The powers of municipal governments in land administration). Raising taxes is one of the more immediate results of LAPs in municipal governments as the increase in the cadastral base allows the direct addition of new tax payers. It is possible that in the years following cadastral mapping, municipalities will recover payments that are in arrears and apply additional fees or fines to those who had not previously paid taxes; these payments should therefore be recorded separately from the annual tax. This guide has set up a specific instrument for the registration and evaluation of tax collection in Module 5 (Fact sheet Evaluation of the fiscal impact), and this is included in conducting Fiscal, Financial and Economic Analyses, module 5.

Citizen perception studies

These studies are particularly important because they enable the collection of information concerning qualitative variables for the more appropriate analysis of indicators relating to service quality, access without discrimination to services and perception of the benefits provided.

These studies can be conducted by means of interviews or surveys to determine citizen perceptions in relation to land administration services (see fact sheet on Cost analysis and time of registration procedures, and regarding security and legal certainty of tenure, see module 4 and the fact sheet on The design and processing of home surveys).

The results framework at municipality level considered user satisfaction in relation to services provided by municipalities concerning the use and payment of taxes, the cost and time of land administration services, possible discrimination by staff, consultation processes and ICT demarcation, titling or recognition processes.