Assessing the comprehensiveness of the land policy toolbox: An analytical framework

Sustainable and socially just land use requires effective and legitimate land policies. One potential obstacle to the design of such policies is the lack of appropriate land policy instruments. Currently, we have an incomplete system-level understanding of the critical elements in the repertory of land policy instruments available to local governments (i.e., the land policy toolbox) for purposes of furthering their land policy goals. In this article, we develop an analytical framework for assessing the comprehensiveness of the land policy toolbox. We root the framework in theoretical insights from policy design and land policy literatures and propose that the land policy toolbox should enable the formulation of effective land policy responses to diverse conflicts of interest in varying circumstances. The framework consists of three dimensions: the 1) conflict-solving ability, 2) range, and 3) applicability of land policy instruments. Drawing evidence from 30 Finnish municipalities, we apply the framework to the land policy toolbox in the context of housing densification. Our system-level analysis identified several shortcomings, such as a lack of an applicable instrument allowing coordinated development of adjacent sites and areas for development in the densification toolbox in Finland. The framework contributes to understanding of land policy design, and tool-oriented approach in public policy. • System-level analytical framework for a comprehensive land policy toolbox. • Conflict-solving ability, range and applicability of instruments as dimensions. • The application of the framework illustrated with a case study from Finland. • Shortcomings and development areas identified in the Finnish densification toolbox.