Negotiating Integrated Land and Transport Development: A Simulation Gaming Approach to Innovative Value Capture Mechanisms in China

Abstract

Land value capture is considered as a promising strategy to finance transit-oriented development (TOD). This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the potential to apply negotiable developer obligations (NDOs) for TOD projects in China through two game experiments simulating negotiation processes. Based on the conceptual framework of three fundamental dilemmas, our findings indicate that (1) value capture-based contributions to TOD often ‘compete’ with other public goals; (2) despite lacking clear regulation, some cities have successfully introduced informal practices to acquire developer contributions; and (3) NDOs seem less feasible under the current conditions of the anti-corruption campaign in China.