Financing transportation infrastructure through Land Value Capture : Concepts, tools, and case studies

With tightening public finances, land value capture (LVC) can be an attractive fiscal tool to finance ever-increasing demands for transport infrastructure. This paper begins by discussing the principles of LVC and individual LVC instruments in the context of infrastructure provision, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges for LVC implementation. It then presents unique case studies of LVC use in France, Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom, highlighting how it was used to fund the construction of major subways and railways. Based on these case studies, the paper discusses some key insights, including how to use LVC together with expropriation, enacting enabling legal frameworks, and diversifying revenue streams. It also highlights some common considerations for successful implementation, most notably for eliciting public support, promoting transit-oriented development, and establishing fair and transparent rules for LVC.