The Commodification Of Land In City And Country Cornell On Land

In today's world, the commodification of land has become increasingly prevalent, both in urban areas and rural regions. This phenomenon has raised concerns regarding the implications it has on society, economy, and the environment. Cornell's research on land aims to shed light on this complex issue and provide insights into the consequences of this widespread commodification.

Understanding the Commodification of Land

Land, once considered a finite resource owned collectively or passed down through generations, has transformed into a tradable commodity. The economy's growing reliance on property development, real estate investment, and urban expansion has led to the commodification of land. This process involves the transformation of land from its natural state into a financially valuable asset that can be bought, sold, and profited from.

In cities, the commodification of land is evident through the rapid urbanization occurring worldwide. As the demand for housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure escalates, an increasing number of undeveloped lands are converted into profitable real estate projects. This results in the displacement of communities, loss of green spaces, and strain on the existing infrastructure.

Land Fictions: The Commodification of Land in City and Country (Cornell Series on Land: New Perspectives on Territory, Development, and Environment)

by Robert W. Lake (Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	4136 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	342 pages

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In rural areas, the commodification of land takes the form of industrial agriculture and large-scale farming. Land is treated as a resource solely for agricultural purposes, often leading to environmental degradation, reduction in biodiversity, and decreased food security for local populations.

Cornell's Research on Land

Cornell University acknowledges the significance of understanding the commodification of land and its impact on society. Their research on land focuses on various aspects, including the socio-economic consequences, environmental sustainability, and the future role of land in a rapidly changing world.

By analyzing the patterns of land commodification in both urban and rural settings, Cornell aims to provide policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders with valuable insights into the consequences of land commodification and potential strategies for sustainable land use. The research conducted at Cornell offers a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with the commodification of land and brings attention to the urgent need for sustainable land management practices.

The Implications of Commodification of Land

The commodification of land has far-reaching implications. The concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy individuals and corporations can escalate income inequalities and hinder social mobility. As land becomes more expensive due to its commodification, the cost of housing increases, making it unaffordable for many people. This leads to housing crises in cities worldwide.

In addition, the transformation of land into a tradable commodity creates a speculative market, where investors purchase land solely for its potential future value. This can result in land being left idle or used inefficiently, further exacerbating the scarcity of land resources and driving up prices.

Moreover, the commodification of land often neglects the cultural, historical, and ecological values associated with it. Indigenous communities and marginalized populations, who have strong cultural ties to the land, are disproportionately affected by land commodification and subsequent displacement. The loss of green spaces, farmlands, and natural habitats due to urban expansion also poses threats to wildlife and contributes to climate change.

The Way Forward: Sustainable Land Management

The challenges posed by the commodification of land call for proactive measures towards sustainable land management. Cornell's research emphasizes the importance of adopting policies that prioritize long-term environmental integrity, social inclusivity, and economic viability.

Efforts should be made to promote responsible land development practices that prioritize equitable distribution of land ownership, encourage public participation in decision-making processes, and protect vulnerable communities from displacement. Additionally, sustainable urban planning should be prioritized to preserve green spaces, promote mixed-use developments, and integrate renewable energy systems into infrastructure projects.

In rural areas, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices that preserve soil fertility, support small-scale farmers, and promote biodiversity conservation is crucial. Balancing agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability can help address the negative impacts associated with the commodification of land.

The commodification of land in both urban and rural settings poses various challenges to society, economy, and the environment. By conducting research and raising awareness about the consequences of land commodification, institutions like Cornell University play a crucial role in formulating strategies for sustainable land management. The way forward lies in adopting policies that prioritize equitable distribution of land, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

Land Fictions: The Commodification of Land in City and Country (Cornell Series on Land: New Perspectives on Territory, Development, and Environment)

by Robert W. Lake (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4136 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	342 pages

FREE

Land Fictions explores the common storylines, narratives, and tales of social betterment that justify and enact land as commodity. It interrogates global patterns of property formation, the dispossessions property markets enact, and the popular movements to halt the growing waves of evictions and land grabs.

This collection brings together original research on urban, rural, and peri-urban India; rapidly urbanizing China and Southeast Asia; resource expropriation in Africa and Latin America; and the neoliberal urban landscapes of North America and Europe. Through a variety of perspectives, Land Fictions finds resonances between local stories of land's fictional powers and global visions of landed property's imagined power to automatically create value and advance national development.

Editors D. Asher Ghertner and Robert W. Lake unpack the dynamics of land commodification across a broad range of political, spatial, and temporal settings, exposing its simultaneously contingent and collective nature. The essays advance understanding of the politics of land while also contributing to current debates on the intersections of local and global, urban and rural, and general and particular.

Contributors Erik Harms, Michael Watts, Sai Balakrishnan, Brett Christophers, David Ferring, Sarah Knuth, Meghan Morris, Benjamin Teresa, Mi Shih, Michael Levien, Michael L. Dwyer, Heather Whiteside