Allocation of land resources in semi-arid areas: a simulation based on the East African experience
Abstract
This paper describes a simulation game prepared as an exercise for
a course entitled 'Arid and Semi-arid Lands, their Status and Potential'
which the authors taught in the Department of Geography of the University of
Nairobi during the 1977 - 78 academic year. The simulation was intended to
tie together the socio-economic and the physical aspects of arid and semiarid
areas. It is concerned with the problem of land allocation in a situation
where there is land-use conflict. The participants are divided into groups
of farmers and pastoralists and are required to adjudicate the land in a
manner acceptable to the government. The problem is complicated by a
government proposal to set up a national park in the area. The subject of
the simulation is relevant not only to students of arid and sami-arid areas,
but also to those interested in resource management in developing countries.
Sufficient information is given in this paper to allow the reader to set
up the simulation.