Land stands as a crucial factor in the production process. The rational allocation of land resources and the enhancement of land use efficiency play pivotal roles in maintaining stable economic development. Various land use types facilitate the capitalization of land resources through activities such as land transfer, land investment, and large-scale land management. Presently, certain regions grapple with challenges characterized by abundant land resources, insufficient utilization of land elements, and a low degree of utilized land capitalization. To address these issues, scholars employ diverse research methods, delving into land capitalization from various perspectives. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current academic research on land capitalization. It elucidates the conceptual nuances inherent in the process of land capitalization, traces the historical evolution of land capitalization, and establishes a research framework that considers land appreciation, ownership relationships, and functional transformations. By synthesizing and analyzing the existing research on land capitalization, this paper outlines the current status and identifies future research directions. It is concluded that land appropriation, ownership relationships and functional transformations are the three most important elements in the process of land capitalization. The paper proposes objectives for achieving high-quality development while avoiding excessive capitalization and the aim is to propel land capitalization as a catalyst for rural economic development.
