Determination of urban land value: a systematic literature review
通过系统性文献综述，梳理了城市土地价值的研究方法、数据集、主题和影响因素，识别出研究空白，并为未来研究提供了方向。
Purpose This study conducts a systematic literature review on the determination of urban land value to offer a comprehensive understanding of the methods, datasets, themes and factors of land value. The study aims to identify research gaps and suggest directions for future research in urban land value. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts the systematic literature review (SLR) approach to synthesize the literature on urban land value. The SLR is structured according to a three-stage protocol, involving planning, conducting and reporting to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Quantitative bibliometric analysis and qualitative hierarchical thematic analysis are used to assess the evolution of research and to identify key themes and factors. Findings The study reveals an unbalanced research focus on developed economies and residential land in urban land value literature. A hierarchical framework categorizes 644 factors into 25 subthemes and 8 themes across physical dimensions (e.g. land attributes and structure attributes) and market dimensions (e.g. land market and macroeconomic conditions). Two primary estimation methods – regression and residual – are identified, each suitable based on data availability. The literature’s evolution is driven by advances in empirical methods. An extensive catalog of databases is compiled, and a corresponding menu of methods is discussed with a focus on empirical identification strategies. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by the focus on urban land value and the exclusion of agricultural, recreational and transportation land. Future research should expand to other land types and integrate new data sources and advanced methodologies such as machine learning to enhance empirical robustness. Practical implications The systematic review provides a foundation for practical applications and policy discussions on land value estimation and taxation. It offers a useful catalog of land value databases and a menu of land evaluation methods. They are useful for real estate businesses to perform accurate land evaluations and investment appraisals. They can also assist governments in determining precise land value for tax assessments and public policy formulation. Originality/value This paper is among the first to apply the SLR approach to urban land value – the price of an essential asset owned by households, businesses and governments. A key contribution is the identification of two distinct evolution patterns of literature: a “pine tree” pattern, showing linear, accumulative growth using homogeneous methodologies (e.g. regression methods) and a “palm tree” pattern, where diverse methods (e.g. residual methods) form independent branches. This analysis provides a new perspective on how methodological homogeneity influences the structure of research themes, offering insights into the dynamics of knowledge development in the field and in general.