Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective

Public welfare land allocation in China’s land expropriation process plays a crucial role in balancing economic development with social equity, but limited research has examined the driving factors influencing public welfare land ratio determination from a central–local relationship perspective. Thi...

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Main Authors: Jin Dai, Qingbin Wang, Xiongwei Zhou, Xinxian Qi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Land
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1208
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author Jin Dai
Qingbin Wang
Xiongwei Zhou
Xinxian Qi
author_facet Jin Dai
Qingbin Wang
Xiongwei Zhou
Xinxian Qi
author_sort Jin Dai
collection DOAJ
description Public welfare land allocation in China’s land expropriation process plays a crucial role in balancing economic development with social equity, but limited research has examined the driving factors influencing public welfare land ratio determination from a central–local relationship perspective. This study investigates how central–local government interactions shape public welfare land ratios in China’s land development process. Based on a comprehensive analysis of land expropriation data across different regions and administrative levels, we examine the spatial heterogeneity and underlying mechanisms of public welfare land allocation. The results reveal the following: (1) Significant regional variations exist for regional public welfare land ratios, with the national average public welfare land ratio reaching 41.21% in 2019 (for plots ≥4 hectares), varying from 39.60% in eastern regions to 44.93% in western regions. (2) Administrative hierarchy influences allocation patterns, with county-level cities (43.73%) showing higher proportions than provincial capitals (36.42%). (3) Local governments strategically use public welfare land development as an instrument to expand land-based fiscal resources by attracting investments and population. (4) Provincial governments serve as crucial intermediaries in central–local policy implementation, balancing central mandates with local conditions. This study contributes to the land governance literature by providing empirical evidence on how institutional arrangements affect land resource allocation. The findings suggest that establishing unified national standards while allowing provincial-level adaptations would improve the effectiveness of public welfare land policy in the post-land finance era, enhancing both governance efficiency and public welfare outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-9fb1c1e6954744abbcebfc0150b65ac82025-08-20T03:27:14ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-06-01146120810.3390/land14061208Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction PerspectiveJin Dai0Qingbin Wang1Xiongwei Zhou2Xinxian Qi3School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaCultivated Land Protection Research Centre, China Land Survey and Planning Institute, Beijing 100035, ChinaSchool of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaPublic welfare land allocation in China’s land expropriation process plays a crucial role in balancing economic development with social equity, but limited research has examined the driving factors influencing public welfare land ratio determination from a central–local relationship perspective. This study investigates how central–local government interactions shape public welfare land ratios in China’s land development process. Based on a comprehensive analysis of land expropriation data across different regions and administrative levels, we examine the spatial heterogeneity and underlying mechanisms of public welfare land allocation. The results reveal the following: (1) Significant regional variations exist for regional public welfare land ratios, with the national average public welfare land ratio reaching 41.21% in 2019 (for plots ≥4 hectares), varying from 39.60% in eastern regions to 44.93% in western regions. (2) Administrative hierarchy influences allocation patterns, with county-level cities (43.73%) showing higher proportions than provincial capitals (36.42%). (3) Local governments strategically use public welfare land development as an instrument to expand land-based fiscal resources by attracting investments and population. (4) Provincial governments serve as crucial intermediaries in central–local policy implementation, balancing central mandates with local conditions. This study contributes to the land governance literature by providing empirical evidence on how institutional arrangements affect land resource allocation. The findings suggest that establishing unified national standards while allowing provincial-level adaptations would improve the effectiveness of public welfare land policy in the post-land finance era, enhancing both governance efficiency and public welfare outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1208central–local relationsland expropriationregional developmentpublic policy
spellingShingle Jin Dai
Qingbin Wang
Xiongwei Zhou
Xinxian Qi
Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective
Land
central–local relations
land expropriation
regional development
public policy
title Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective
title_full Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective
title_fullStr Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective
title_short Drivers of Public Welfare Land Ratios for Regional Development in China: A Central–Local Interaction Perspective
title_sort drivers of public welfare land ratios for regional development in china a central local interaction perspective
topic central–local relations
land expropriation
regional development
public policy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1208
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AT qingbinwang driversofpublicwelfarelandratiosforregionaldevelopmentinchinaacentrallocalinteractionperspective
AT xiongweizhou driversofpublicwelfarelandratiosforregionaldevelopmentinchinaacentrallocalinteractionperspective
AT xinxianqi driversofpublicwelfarelandratiosforregionaldevelopmentinchinaacentrallocalinteractionperspective