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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 10531

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kwong Wing Chau

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Guest Editor

Ronald Coase Centre for Property Rights Research, Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Interests: property rights; sustainable development; real estate finance; heritage conservation; zoning; town and country planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. William Ka Shing Cheung

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Guest Editor

Department of Property, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Interests: residential mobility; housing subsidies; housing wealth effects; affordability; touristification; land governance; policies and administration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Land development and investment lie at the core of contemporary challenges and opportunities, significantly impacting sustainable development, economic growth, and environmental preservation. As a finite and valuable resource, the equitable allocation and utilization of land is crucial for fostering economic growth, ensuring social equity, and achieving environmental sustainability. Accurate land valuation and management are therefore fundamental for establishing effective governance and long-term planning, assisting governments and policymakers in tackling global uncertainties while offering essential space for innovation and entrepreneurship to fuel the development of emerging industries. As such, land development and investment play a pivotal role in shaping a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect original research articles and review papers that provide insights into the dynamics of land markets, the impact of investments on land utilization, and the social, economic, and environmental ramifications of these processes. It is important to recognize that ‘land’ is more than just the surface of the Earth. Land includes the subsurface and the airspace above, in line with the ad coelum doctrine, which states, "Cuius est solum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos"—meaning that property rights extend from the depths below to the heights above.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

Land market analyses;
Land financing and urban development;
Land investment performance measures;
Land governance, policies, and regulations;
Technological innovation in land development and investment;
Managing in the land development process;
Risk management in land development and investment;
Economic, social, or environmental impact of land development and investment.

We encourage various types of submissions, such as empirical research, theoretical analyses, case studies, and review articles, to consolidate existing knowledge and pinpoint future research trajectories.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Kwong Wing Chau
Dr. William Ka Shing Cheung
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

land development
land investment
land financing
land policy
technological innovation
risk management
economic impact
social impact
environmental impact

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 6880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges in Systematic Property Registration in Romania: An Analytical Overview

by Vasile Gherheș, Carmen Grecea, Clara-Beatrice Vilceanu, Sorin Herban and Claudiu Coman

Land 2025, 14(5), 1118; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051118 - 21 May 2025

Abstract

After the fall of communism, Romania embarked on a comprehensive land restitution process through Law No. 18/1991, aiming to re-establish private ownership rights, particularly for agricultural and forestry lands. Divergent historical legacies across regions have resulted in heterogeneous land administration systems, contributing to inconsistencies, overlapping claims, and prolonged legal disputes. To address these challenges, the Romanian government introduced the National Cadastre and Land Registration Program, which promotes systematic property registration across the country. Keeping in mind the fact that there is no integrated study that analyses national challenges from multiple dimensions such as history, law, institutions, technology, and socioeconomics and proposes systematic optimization strategies, this article provides a critical analysis of the legal and institutional framework governing land restitution and cadastral reform, highlighting the influence of historical administrative structures and the adoption of modern geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). By adopting a qualitative and document-based research approach, focusing on the analysis of legislative frameworks, institutional procedures, and technical instruments used in systematic land registration in Romania, this study emphasizes the benefits of systematic registration, including increased legal certainty, investment stimulation, improved access to credit, and better planning and taxation. Despite progress, implementation remains uneven, hindered by documentation gaps, institutional capacity limitations, and administrative obstacles. Recent legislative adjustments and the integration of advanced geospatial tools aim to improve data quality and accelerate the registration process. Ultimately, the integration of legal, institutional, and geospatial components is essential for achieving transparent and accountable land governance, efficient resource management, and sustainable rural development in Romania. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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24 pages, 1368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land-Use Policy for Affordable Housing Goals: A Case Study of a Rapidly Growing Mid-Sized City in the United States

by Nathan Teklemariam, Olumayowa A. Idowu, Lori Dickes and Adegboyega O. Owolabi

Land 2025, 14(5), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051108 - 20 May 2025

Viewed by 17

Abstract

Driven by many factors, the housing affordability landscape in the United States (U.S.) is in crisis. This research examines the potential role of inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies as a tool to alleviate housing cost burdens and deliver affordable housing in the rapidly growing southeastern region of the U.S., with a specific focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Utilizing data from LawAtlas, this study first conducts a policy scan on the state of IZ policies across seven comparable jurisdictions. This study further employs qualitative semi-structured interviews with stakeholders to assess the current challenges to affordable housing in the county. Our findings suggest that growing regions such as Greenville County face unique challenges as they strive to meet the growing demand for affordable housing that serves a wide range of community members. A major finding from interviewees includes a need for more localized and nuanced metrics of housing affordability, greater density, and mixed-use development. However, the county faces challenges for such developments due to NIMBYism and preference for a more traditional rural and suburban typology of housing in the county. Finally, our study finds that zoning policies that enhance the supply of affordable housing by design can promote equity, trust, economic growth, and quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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25 pages, 11019 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regeneration of Military Brownfield Sites: A Possible Tool for Mitigating Urban Sprawl?

by Bence Szabó, Tamás Kovalcsik and Zoltán Kovács

Land 2025, 14(3), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030596 - 12 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1024

Abstract

Urban sprawl and brownfields are recognized as the main challenges for sustainable land use in post-industrial cities. Using a mixed methodology (GIS and interviews), this research aimed to examine the relationship between the redevelopment process of former Soviet military brownfields and urban sprawl in Hungary. Research findings highlighted the overall importance of the regeneration of military brownfields in urban development; however, not all the assessed projects appeared to be beneficial to densification objectives. We could identify two groups of brownfields lying within the boundaries of the compact city and outside the boundaries. The regeneration of military brownfields embedded in the built-up areas of cities can contribute to densification objectives and attract new functions and residents to abandoned areas. They can also support wider regeneration strategies of local governments, especially in run-down neighborhoods. However, a large number of military brownfields are located on the peripheries of metropolitan areas. The regeneration of such sites, as demonstrated by the case studies, can play a catalyst role in urban sprawl. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that local municipalities should make a careful strategic selection of military brownfield sites for redevelopment based upon their characteristics and location, as supported by the typology presented in this study, together with locally perceived socio-economic and risk factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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23 pages, 8186 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Land Finance Influence Vegetation Dynamics in China?

by Siqi Yan and Jian Wang

Land 2025, 14(3), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030466 - 23 Feb 2025

Viewed by 468

Abstract

Land-based financing plays an essential role in urbanization in the developing world, and it is widely recognized to have profound environmental effects. However, there have been relatively few research endeavors on the impact of land finance on vegetation dynamics. This study applies fixed effects models and an instrumental variable approach to examine the impact of land finance on vegetation status and mechanisms of influence, using data for 286 Chinese cities between 2011 and 2022. The nonlinear relationship between land finance and vegetation conditions at different levels of economic development is investigated by estimating panel threshold models. The findings show that land finance exerts an inhibiting impact on vegetation conditions. The restraining effect of land finance on vegetation status tends to be more pronounced in western China or in secondary industry-led cities. The analysis of mechanisms of influence indicates that land finance negatively affects vegetation conditions by speeding up urban expansion, suppressing innovation, reducing land use efficiency, and distorting the fiscal expenditure structure. The analysis of the threshold effect suggests that land finance exerts a stronger curbing effect on vegetation status as the economic development level rises. The findings have significant policy implications for deepening reform of the fiscal system and promoting vegetation protection and restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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24 pages, 10506 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Coupled Coordination and Driving Factors of Urbanization, Ecosystem Services, and Human Well-Being in the High and Coarse Sediment Yield in the Middle Yellow River

by Hong Cao, Qiuchen Zhu, Hua Bai, Hongzhou He and Chunli Liu

Land 2025, 14(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010100 - 7 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 738

Abstract

The ecological and social problems brought about by China’s rapid urbanization process threaten sustainable development. Taking the cities with high and coarse sediment yield in the middle reaches of the Yellow River as the research objects, this study constructed a complex analytical framework composed of urbanization, ecosystem service value (ESV), and human well-being (HBW) subsystems. The equivalent factor method (EFM) was used to evaluate the ESV. The entropy weight method (EWM) and the comprehensive nighttime light index (CNLI) were adopted to assess the level of urbanization and human well-being. Then, coupled coordination degree (CCD) and grey relational modes were developed to reveal the level and major obstacles of synergistic development. The results showed that, from 2000 to 2020, urbanization, ESV, and HWB increased. The average value of CCD grew from 0.34 to 0.56, with higher coordination levels in the northeast and south. The coordinated development is influenced by multiple factors, with the intensity of the driving factors decreasing in the order of industrial structure, population quality, economic drive, government regulation, and scientific and technological support. The results indicate that it is essential to formulate differentiated regionally coordinated development strategies and establish cross-regional cooperation mechanisms to achieve interactive urban economic development, ecological protection, and well-being improvements in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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18 pages, 1513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of Site Selection Decisions of Residential Development Projects in Hangzhou Based on Potential Market Segmentation

by Ling Zhang, Bohong Wu and Sijie Chen

Land 2025, 14(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010098 - 6 Jan 2025

Viewed by 929

Abstract

Since 2016, strict regulatory policies have limited the size and financing channels of China’s urban real estate market. To adapt to the new situation, real estate developers need to adjust their development strategies and adopt more precise investment methods. In this respect, cost reduction, an accurate market positioning, and conducting detailed market research are particularly crucial. Given that the uneven development of the urban housing market has exacerbated urban segregation, urban residential space was subdivided into multiple potential submarkets. This study focuses on the land acquisition and the development of commercial residential projects in Hangzhou, China, from 2003 to 2022. Using the latent class analysis method based on the discrete choice model, the potential submarkets of Hangzhou’s housing development market are identified, and the project positioning and land selection preferences of developers are assessed. The results show that Hangzhou’s residential projects can be divided into five potential market categories: high-rise basic demand dwellings, high-end-improvement-type dwellings, luxury low-density dwellings, primary-improvement-type dwellings, and large-scale mixed-density dwellings. The importance of different land elements for developers when developing various types of projects is evaluated by calculating the willingness-to-pay coefficient. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive perspective for the government, real estate developers, and property owners to better understand the development dynamics on the supply side of the real estate market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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19 pages, 1683 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Land Grabbing: Analyzing Zones for Community Uses in Hong Kong

by Mark Hansley Chua and Lawrence Wai Chung Lai

Land 2025, 14(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010080 - 3 Jan 2025

Viewed by 817

Abstract

This study, as a contribution to the research on urban land grabbing (grabs) as a global phenomenon, seeks to evaluate the populist belief that developers swallow up urban land originally zoned for community purposes under Government, Institution and Community (GIC) zoning, thus depriving communities of space for their own benefit. The authors applied a systematic analysis of non-aggregate planning and development statistics to better interpret the features of the land market as regulated by zoning. Their research focuses on the salient features of redevelopment projects that enjoy successful planning applications and onsite development in GIC zones. They compared the planning and development statistics, obtained from the Planning Department’s website, of 425 approved GIC projects with those of the 261 Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) zone projects. Subject to the limitations of the data collected, the results qualify a negative view of land oligarchs (powerful land developers) who sought land under unitary ownership obtained in the past at nominal land premiums for quick windfalls. Particularly, GIC redevelopments were found to have proceeded much faster than CDA developments and, hence, were a natural attraction to developers, which were diverse, not exclusively private, and produced a few urban innovations during the redevelopment process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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21 pages, 10477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evolution and Performance Response of Industrial Land Use Development in China’s Development Zone: The Case of Suzhou Industrial Park

by Bo Su, Xiaoxia Shen, Qing Wang, Qi Zhang, Jingyu Niu, Qiqi Yin, Yuquan Chen and Shenglu Zhou

Land 2024, 13(12), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122182 - 13 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1616

Abstract

Development zones are crucial spatial carriers driving economic growth and industrial upgrading, playing a key role in China’s development. After years of expansion, these zones face significant challenges in industrial land development and performance enhancement. This paper takes Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) as a case, which is a model of Sino–Singaporean government cooperation. Using Landsat 4–5 TM data, socioeconomic data, and industrial land use data, spatial analysis and statistical modeling were employed to examine the evolution and phased patterns of industrial land use in SIP from 1994 to 2022. A performance evaluation system encompassing economic benefits, innovation-driven growth, development intensity, green development, and social security was developed to assess land use performance and its responses to spatial transformations. The results reveal that industrial land in SIP experienced a significant change in the intensity of land expansion from 1.031 to 0.352 during 1994–2022, and the peak circle density expanded from 3 km to 15 km. The mean value of the comprehensive performance score during 2017–2022 was 42.18, with the highest economic efficiency (40.54) and a lower innovation capacity (16.98). The development of industrial land in SIP presents the stage characteristics of monocentric polarization, polycentricity, and spatial diffusion toward a generalized development zone, showing significant path dependence, and the difference in the land use performance of different industrial types is obvious. In the future, the optimization and redevelopment of the stock of land should be strengthened to promote the optimization of the spatial layout of technology-intensive industries and the technological upgrading of labor-intensive industries, as well as achieving sustainable economic growth through innovation-driven, green development and enclave economy collaboration. This study provides a reference for the industrial layout and high-quality sustainable development of development zones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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16 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kowloon Walled City: A Case of Land Administration of a Disputed Territory

by Lawrence W. C. Lai

Land 2024, 13(12), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122112 - 6 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

Informed by hitherto unreported archival materials and the relevant literature, this short paper employs a case study of the post-war Hong Kong Government’s administration of the so-called Kowloon Walled City to elucidate two fundamental principles of land administration in the use of land: (a) certitude of land boundaries and (b) public health and safety. Land administration of this densely populated and growing habitat, being a territory under disputed colonial jurisdiction, was characterised by the meticulous enforcement of an officially adopted boundary and the implementation of a site and service approach for a high-rise settlement by the Colonial Hong Kong Government. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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20 pages, 1922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Industrial Land Protection and Allocation Efficiency: Evidence from Guangdong, China

by Jie Lin, Xin Li and Jianfu Shen

Land 2024, 13(12), 2081; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122081 - 3 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1168

Abstract

Industrial land allocation in China has been distorted for a long time by local governments providing land at a low price to attract manufacturing activities. This study explores whether an industrial land protection policy can reduce the distortions and, hence, improve land allocation efficiency in China. Using industrial land zoning and protection policies adopted in some cities in Guangdong province, this study finds that industrial land allocation efficiency is indeed improved after the implementation of protection policies, reflected in higher land prices and greater land use intensity. However, the improvement is smaller for industrial land provided to advanced manufacturing industries, indicating that local governments continue to rely on a strategy of offering cheap land to compete for high-end manufacturing activities. Further analysis suggests that the adoption of industrial land protection in one region generates a positive spillover effect on industrial land allocation efficiency in neighboring regions. Overall, this study provides new evidence on the effectiveness of industrial land protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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25 pages, 1718 KiB

Open AccessReview

Agricultural Land Markets: A Systematic Literature Review on the Factors Affecting Land Prices

by Martina Agosta, Emanuele Schimmenti, Caterina Patrizia Di Franco and Antonio Asciuto

Land 2025, 14(5), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14050978 - 1 May 2025

Viewed by 411

Abstract

The UN 2030 Agenda implicitly recognizes the crucial role of the agricultural land market in several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to food security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. However, the dynamics of agricultural land prices are highly complex, shaped by multiple economic, social, and environmental factors, making it essential to conduct a systematic analysis of the mechanisms driving their variability. This study aimed to identify the key factors influencing agricultural land prices, both at the microlevel (parcel) and the macroeconomic level (country). To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The analysis highlighted how intrinsic factors (soil fertility, access to water resources, plot size, and location) and extrinsic factors (urban pressure, fiscal policies, demographic changes, and climate variations) interact in the determination of land prices. The results suggest that the growing demand for agricultural land, combined with competition from other land uses, is contributing to a significant variation in market values, with implications for the sustainability of the agricultural sector. This study provides a framework for investors, policymakers, and researchers, highlighting the need for more transparent land policies, incentives for sustainable land management, and tools to counter land price speculation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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21 pages, 1008 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Enhancing Explainable AI Land Valuations Reporting for Consistency, Objectivity, and Transparency

by Chung Yim Yiu and Ka Shing Cheung

Land 2025, 14(5), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14050927 - 24 Apr 2025

Viewed by 354

Abstract

At the crossroads of technological innovation and established practice, property valuation is experiencing a significant shift with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). While these technologies offer new efficiencies and predictive capabilities, their integration raises important legal, ethical, and professional questions. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing a structured framework for incorporating Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques into valuation practices. The primary aim is to improve their consistency, objectivity, and transparency to ensure the internal accountability of AI-driven methodologies. Drawing from the international valuation standards, the discussion centres on the essential balance between automated precision and the professional duty of care—a balance that is crucial for maintaining trust in and upholding the integrity of property valuations. By examining the role of AI within the property market and the consequent legal debates about and requirements of transparency, this article underscores the importance of developing AI-enabled valuation models that professionals and consumers alike can trust and understand. The proposed framework calls for a concerted cross-disciplinary effort to establish industry standards that support the responsible and effective integration of AI into property valuation, ensuring that these new tools meet the same high standards of reliability and clarity expected by the industry and its clients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)

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