US Land-Banking Deals: Unpacking the Systemic Drivers of a $4 Billion Asset-Based Push
Original framing: “PGIM Backs $4 Billion of US Land-Bank Deals in Asset-Based Push” — Bloomberg
The history of land-banking in the US is marked by racial segregation and displacement, with many African American communities being forcibly removed from their homes to make way for white suburbanization. This legacy of racism and inequality continues to shape the contemporary housing market, with low-income communities of color being disproportionately affected by gentrification and urbanization. Score: 0.9
The $4 billion investment in US land-banking projects by PGIM highlights the complex interplay between financialization, urbanization, and the housing market.
However, this development also underscores the need for more equitable and just models of land ownership and management. By prioritizing the well-being of people and the environment over financial gain, we can create more resilient and sustainable communities. The solution pathways of community land trusts, cooperative housing, and land reform offer a more nuanced understanding of land ownership and management that recognizes the importance of indigenous knowledge, traditional practices, and social justice.