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Property Rights and Urban Form

Author

Listed:
  • Simeon Djankov
  • Edward Glaeser
  • Valeria Perotti
  • Andrei Shleifer

Abstract

How do the different elements in the standard bundle of property rights, including those of possession and transfer, influence the shape of cities? This paper incorporates insecure property rights into a standard model of urban land prices and density and makes predictions about investment in land and property, informality, and the efficiency of land use. Our empirical analysis links data on institutions for land titling and transfer with multiple urban outcomes in 190 countries. The evidence is generally consistent with the model’s predictions and more broadly with Harold Demsetz’s approach to property rights institutions in “Towards a Theory of Property Rights.” Indeed, we document worldwide improvements in the quality of institutions facilitating property transfer over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Simeon Djankov & Edward Glaeser & Valeria Perotti & Andrei Shleifer, 2022. "Property Rights and Urban Form," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(S1), pages 35-64.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlawec:doi:10.1086/718854
    DOI: 10.1086/718854
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    Cited by:

    1. Djankov, Simeon & Luksic, Igor & Zhang, Eva, 2022. "Technology as deregulation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118882, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Djankov, Simeon & Luksic, Igor & Zhang, Eva (Yiwen), 2022. "Some evidence of regulatory convergence," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    3. Angelo D’Andrea & Patrick Hitayezu & Mr. Kangni R Kpodar & Nicola Limodio & Mr. Andrea F Presbitero, 2024. "Mobile Internet, Collateral, and Banking," IMF Working Papers 2024/070, International Monetary Fund.
    4. Harari, Mariaflavia & Wong, Maisy, 2024. "Colonial Legacy and Land Market Formality," MPRA Paper 121334, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Angelo D'Andrea & Patrick Hitayezu & Kangni Kpodar & Nicola Limodio & Andrea Filippo Presbitero, 2025. "Developing the Mortgage Market: Technology, Property Rights, and Banking," Mo.Fi.R. Working Papers 195, Money and Finance Research group (Mo.Fi.R.) - Univ. Politecnica Marche - Dept. Economic and Social Sciences.
    6. Klaus W. Deininger & Thea Hilhorst & Zevenbergen,Jaap & Nkurunziza,Emmanuel, 2025. "Capitalizing on Digital Transformation to Enhance the Effectiveness of Property Institutions : Conceptual Background and Evidence from 85 Countries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11100, The World Bank.
    7. Reyman, Katarzyna & Maier, Gunther, 2023. "Property rights regime and the timing of land development in a post-transition country (Poland)," SRE-Discussion Papers 01/2023, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    8. Harari, Mariaflavia & Wong, Maisy, 2025. "Colonial legacy and land market formality," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    9. Bosio,Erica, 2023. "A Survey of Judicial Effectiveness : The Last Quarter Century of Empirical Evidence," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10501, The World Bank.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
    • P14 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Property Rights
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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