Digitalization of Land Certificates and the Imperative of Justice in the Context of Sdgs: an Analytical Review of Indonesia's Land Registration System
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Objective: This study aims to analyze the impact of land certificate digitalization in Indonesia on distributive, procedural, and retributive justice, and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It seeks to identify challenges and opportunities in creating an inclusive and equitable digital land administration system. The research also provides policy and technological recommendations to support justice-oriented digital transformation. Theoretical Framework: integrates principles of social justice—distributive, procedural, and retributive—with the Land Administration 4.0 paradigm, which emphasizes sustainability, interoperability, and human-centricity. This hybrid framework allows for a nuanced evaluation of how digitalization affects different societal groups and contributes to or hinders the achievement of SDGs. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, drawing from academic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The analysis employed thematic coding to identify patterns and gaps in existing literature, focusing on publications between 2015 and 2025 relevant to Indonesia. Results and Discussion: Results indicate that digitalization improves transparency and efficiency but exacerbates inequalities due to the urban-rural digital divide, gender disparities, and socioeconomic barriers. Discussion highlights the need for advanced technologies like 3D Cadastre and Blockchain to resolve boundary disputes and enhance transparency, while emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and inclusive design. Research Implications: Underscore the urgency of adopting a human-centric approach to digitalization, investing in social infrastructure such as digital education and legal aid. The study offers actionable recommendations for policymakers to ensure that digital transformation promotes justice and supports SDGs. Originality/Value: Lies in its integrative justice-technology framework, which connects land administration digitalization with broader SDG targets. It provides a comprehensive, context-specific analysis of Indonesia’s land registration system, filling a critical gap in literature at the intersection of agrarian law, digital governance, and social justice.
Authors: Abraham Yazdi Martin, Martin Roestamy, Radif Khotamir Rusli, Warizal, Zaenal Arifin Masruri, Widya Wahyu Utami
Institutions: Universitas Djuanda, Universitas Borobudur
Language: English
Topic: Land Rights and Reforms
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414346552