Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China

Urban renewal is a critical approach to address issues such as the scarcity of urban spatial resources and infrastructure aging in the later stages of urbanization. Urban village renewal is one of the typical practices of urban renewal. Based on China’s unique dual urban–rural land system and urbani...

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Main Authors: Jiaxi Xiao, Fan Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/162
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author Jiaxi Xiao
Fan Dong
author_facet Jiaxi Xiao
Fan Dong
author_sort Jiaxi Xiao
collection DOAJ
description Urban renewal is a critical approach to address issues such as the scarcity of urban spatial resources and infrastructure aging in the later stages of urbanization. Urban village renewal is one of the typical practices of urban renewal. Based on China’s unique dual urban–rural land system and urbanization process, this study localizes the rent gap theory. It applies the modified rent gap theory to conduct a case study on Wangjiapeng Village in Xi’an using the process-tracing method. It explores the internal mechanisms of urban village renewal and the key factors influencing the progress of renewal projects. The findings reveal that the size of the rent gap directly determines the attractiveness and timing of urban village renewal. However, issues such as interest conflicts, administrative redundancy, and government supervision during the renewal process significantly increase transaction costs, raising the rent gap threshold and thereby affecting the progress and outcomes of the renewal. This paper proposes a rent gap theory that is more suited to China’s context and further expands its applicability through case study research. The practical experience of Wangjiapeng Village provides important policy implications for other major cities in China and cities currently in the late stages of urbanization.
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issn 2073-445X
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spelling doaj-art-0d18cfd34242424fa7bf0302c62f56a32025-01-24T13:38:09ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-01-0114116210.3390/land14010162Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, ChinaJiaxi Xiao0Fan Dong1School of Government, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaSchool of Government, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaUrban renewal is a critical approach to address issues such as the scarcity of urban spatial resources and infrastructure aging in the later stages of urbanization. Urban village renewal is one of the typical practices of urban renewal. Based on China’s unique dual urban–rural land system and urbanization process, this study localizes the rent gap theory. It applies the modified rent gap theory to conduct a case study on Wangjiapeng Village in Xi’an using the process-tracing method. It explores the internal mechanisms of urban village renewal and the key factors influencing the progress of renewal projects. The findings reveal that the size of the rent gap directly determines the attractiveness and timing of urban village renewal. However, issues such as interest conflicts, administrative redundancy, and government supervision during the renewal process significantly increase transaction costs, raising the rent gap threshold and thereby affecting the progress and outcomes of the renewal. This paper proposes a rent gap theory that is more suited to China’s context and further expands its applicability through case study research. The practical experience of Wangjiapeng Village provides important policy implications for other major cities in China and cities currently in the late stages of urbanization.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/162urban village renewalrent gap theorydual urban–rural land systemprocess-tracing methodChina
spellingShingle Jiaxi Xiao
Fan Dong
Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
Land
urban village renewal
rent gap theory
dual urban–rural land system
process-tracing method
China
title Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
title_full Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
title_fullStr Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
title_full_unstemmed Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
title_short Research on the Urban Village Renewal Mechanism Based on Rent Gap Theory: A Case Study in Xi’an, China
title_sort research on the urban village renewal mechanism based on rent gap theory a case study in xi an china
topic urban village renewal
rent gap theory
dual urban–rural land system
process-tracing method
China
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/162
work_keys_str_mv AT jiaxixiao researchontheurbanvillagerenewalmechanismbasedonrentgaptheoryacasestudyinxianchina
AT fandong researchontheurbanvillagerenewalmechanismbasedonrentgaptheoryacasestudyinxianchina