Bridging the Rent Gap: New Theoretical and Empirical Narratives.

This article explores the concept of land rent and rentier capitalism in economic geography and urban studies. It identifies a lack of critical research on land rent in the "Global South" and "Global East," where significant struggles over land are occurring. The article examines the historical development of land rent theory and rent gaps, which are linked to gentrification and uneven capitalist development. It also addresses questions about the nature of land rent, the role of public policies and state institutions, and the potential for theories from outside the "Global North/West" to enhance understanding of global urban issues. The article concludes by introducing case studies from various regions that offer diverse perspectives on land rent and rent gaps, emphasizing the need for a reevaluation of existing theories and the incorporation of Georgist and Marxian perspectives to address housing affordability and labor exploitation. The authors highlight the evolving role of the state in managing and redistributing rent gaps and stress the importance of sustained engagement with the state for achieving equity and justice. [Extracted from the article]