Landscape transformation in Jambi province, Sumatra: an analysis of land tenure regulations under translational dynamics

Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität

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Translational dynamics of land tenure regulations – An analysis of landscape transformation from Jambi province, Sumatra illuminates political and institutional impacts on cultural landscape transformation in Jambi province Sumatra. In a historical perspective land tenure regulations and their impacts on transformation are examined. The analysis of these regulations reveals overlapping and non-congruent laws regarding access to land. This disequilibrium opens leeway for local land use actors as well as for government representatives to interpret regulations in order to meet their own goals, hence they are given a new meaning. In the context of ascribing new meanings to regulations, land titles are issued on the local level which is not congruent with what the national regulations prescribe. Even through laws are perceived different from how they have been prescribed, the translation still has its legitimization. These legitimized translations contribute to a transformation of the social as well as the natural environment.