Impact of city-county mergers on land transfer dynamics
Evidence from China
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 24237251 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chen You (0000-0002-4613-5686, Zhejiang Institute of Administration), Xiaoqian Liu (0000-0003-4886-7837, Sichuan University), Jin Hu (0000-0002-4705-9523, Fudan University), Fei Chao (0000-0002-6928-2638, Zhejiang University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-24 |
| Publication date | 2026-10-19 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Urban Affairs (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0735-2166 • E-ISSN: 1467-9906 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/07352166.2026.2729241 |
| OpenAlex | W7222954747 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 88 |
Urban governance and policy analysis are essential for sustainable development. This study investigates the impact of city-county mergers (CCM) on local land transfer dynamics in China. Using a difference-in-differences model and data from 2007 to 2020, our findings show that these mergers significantly increase the total land transfer area by approximately 4.5% and transfer revenue by about 2.5%. The results reveal that local governments collaborate with “operating enterprises,” leveraging administrative control to select land users and expand construction land availability. This study challenges the prevailing view that financial pressures primarily drive land transfer behavior, instead identifying a cumulative effect in which stronger industrial bases result in greater land allocation for industrial development. These findings underscore the complexity of urban governance and raise critical questions about the sustainability of current urbanization practices and their broader socioeconomic implications. Our research offers valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and analysts dedicated to effective urban management and policy implementation.
administrative control · China · land transfer · land transfer revenue · Local government · urban governance · Urbanization · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · Local Government Finance and Decentralization · Urban Planning and Governance
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| Highly cited | No |
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