The course “Land Acquisition and Site Evaluation” is a rigorous, interdisciplinary program designed to provide you with deep technical knowledge, legal awareness, market intelligence, and environmental assessment skills related to the acquisition and evaluation of land for development or investment purposes. This course examines the complex, multifaceted processes involved in identifying, analyzing, securing, and managing land as a critical asset within real estate, construction, infrastructure, urban development, agriculture, and government regulation contexts.

Land is a finite and appreciating resource. As urbanization accelerates, population growth surges, and real estate development expands, the competition for land intensifie demandings professionals who possess strategic insight, legal competence, environmental responsibility, and negotiation intelligence. This course equips you to not only navigate this competitive landscape but to lead effectively within it.

The curriculum goes beyond basic; it dives into practical methodologies, regulatory frameworks, valuation techniques, spatial analysis, environmental impact assessments, and socio-economic feasibility evaluations. It draws from international best practices and local realities (including Nigerian and African land governance systems), and integrates tools such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems), topographic mapping, legal due diligence, land titling systems, land-use planning, and market forecasting.

You will explore multiple dimensions of land use, including:

• Legal frameworks and tenure systems (statutory vs customary land rights)
  
  

• Due diligence and conflict resolution in land acquisition
  
  

• Environmental and geotechnical assessments
  
  

• Strategic site selection for commercial, industrial, and residential projects
  
  

• Economic viability studies and stakeholder negotiations
  
  

• Community engagement and compensation frameworks
  
  

• Risk management and ethical considerations in land dealings
  
  

Through real-life case studies, simulations, and guided projects, participants will master the end-to-end process of acquiring land and evaluating its physical, environmental, legal, socio-political, and economic suitability for development. This comprehensive knowledge will empower them to lead land-based projects with confidence, legality, and strategic foresight.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Analyze and interpret various land tenure systems, including legal, customary, leasehold, and freehold arrangements.
   
   

2. Conduct legal and environmental due diligence to identify encumbrances, risks, or constraints on land use.
   
   

3. Use site evaluation tools and frameworks to assess land based on zoning laws, soil quality, drainage, access to infrastructure, and socio-economic factors.
   
   

4. Develop land acquisition strategies, from sourcing and stakeholder engagement to negotiation and documentation.
   
   

5. Interpret and apply national and regional land use laws, zoning regulations, and building codes.
   
   

6. Assess environmental impacts, conduct geotechnical studies, and recommend mitigation strategies.
   
   

7. Perform economic and market feasibility studies to validate investment in a land parcel.
   
   

8. Apply GIS and spatial data tools for land mapping, evaluation, and planning.
   
   

9. Understand the ethical and political dimensions of land acquisition, including forced evictions, compensation, and community rights.
   
   

10. Prepare professional land acquisition reports, feasibility studies, and site evaluation documents for clients or regulatory bodies.
    
    

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Real estate investors and developers
  
  

• Land surveyors and property consultants
  
  

• Urban and regional planners
  
  

• Architects and civil engineers
  
  

• Legal practitioners in property and land law
  
  

• Government officials and land administrators
  
  

• Environmental impact assessors
  
  

• Academics, researchers, and postgraduate students in land use, urban planning, or environmental science
  
  

Key Themes and Topics

• The political economy of land
  
  

• Land tenure systems: global vs local frameworks
  
  

• Nigerian Land Use Act & customary land systems
  
  

• Legal due diligence and land titling processes
  
  

• Identifying suitable land for development
  
  

• Mapping, GIS, and spatial analysis
  
  

• Environmental and geotechnical considerations
  
  

• Stakeholder analysis and engagement
  
  

• Compensation and community integration
  
  

• Land market trends and investment forecasting
  
  

• Zoning, building codes, and land use regulations
  
  

• Ethical issues: land grabbing, forced displacement, corruption
  
  

 Course Tools and Methods

• GIS Mapping Software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
  
  

• Land Valuation Models and development matrices
  
  

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) templates
  
  

• Soil and Site Testing Techniques
  
  

• Legal Document Review for C of O, Deeds, Gazette, etc.
  
  

• Real-life Case Studies from Nigeria, Kenya, India, and South Africa
  
  

• Simulation Projects: e.g., “Acquire a site for a new estate in Lagos or Abuja”
  
  

Skills Gained

• Land due diligence
  
  

• Site planning and evaluation
  
  

• Real estate risk analysis
  
  

• Legal literacy in land and property law
  
  

• GIS and digital mapping
  
  

• Negotiation and stakeholder management
  
  

• Ethical land practice
  
  

• Market-based site valuation
  
  

Certification and Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you will receive an EarthTab Business School Certificate in Land Acquisition and Site Evaluation. Graduates of this program will be equipped to serve as:

• Land Acquisition Officers
  
  

• Real Estate Analysts
  
  

• Site Selection Specialists
  
  

• Urban Development Consultants
  
  

• Legal Advisors in Property Law
  
  

• Environmental and Land Use Planners
  
  

• GIS Analysts and Mapping Technicians
  
  

I Look Forward to Congratulating You Upon Completion of This Course