Introduction: the multifarious character of land values in regional development

Frank Moulaert and Abid Mehmood

Chapter 1 in The Value of Place, 2025, pp 1-21 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The relationship between regional development and land use is far from straightforward; it reveals evolving tensions between the diverse values people and institutions assign to land and the places they inhabit. Land is never ‘just land’; it is simultaneously a foundation for development, a resource integrated into industrial systems, and an ecological asset providing essential services like clean soil, water, food, and tranquil spaces. These uses embody a multifaceted spectrum of human values, often in conflict. This chapter provides an overview of how the authors of this book address land values in real estate and regional development, inspired by the ground-breaking research conducted by Profs. Pavlos Delladetsimas and Flavia Martinelli. It is organized under three themes. The first theme explores the relationship between land use and economic development, documenting the historical rise of rent extraction and its impact on access to land resources. It highlights the threats posed to sustainable land development by dominant market-oriented and corporatist forces. The second theme focuses on the role of land in regional policy, emphasizing the tensions between neoliberal frameworks and the need for equity. Using case studies from Southern Europe, authors contributing to this theme highlight how regional inequalities persist, as land use and care services fail to address the needs of marginalized populations. The complex interplay between land use, human presence, and environmental sustainability is also explored, with examples from Croatia, Greece, and tourism-dependent regions. Finally, the third theme addresses alternative governance models, emphasizing ‘commoning’ practices and the potential of Another World Is Possible (AWIP) paradigms to achieve sustainable and inclusive land use and regional development. It advocates for reimagining land use policies and spatial planning education as a common, fostering polycentric governance, and empowering local communities to transcend forms of (land) market driven behaviour. The chapter underscores that land is never just land – it embodies a rich spectrum of human values and practices.

Keywords: Land Allocation; Spatial Development; Regional Policy; Governance; Commodification of Use Values (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035347919
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