The significance of development sites in global real estate transactions

This paper examines the significant contribution that development sites make to total real estate transaction activity at a global, regional and country-specific level over 2007-2014. By assessing over 216,000 major real estate transactions worth in excess of $6.35 trillion, development sites are shown to account for over $2.0 trillion or 31.6% of global real estate transaction activity. Regional and country differences are highlighted, particularly in the Asia-Pacific emerging real estate markets, with the significance of development sites in China specifically highlighted. The analysis shows that China accounted for $1.6 trillion in development site transactions or 80% of development site transaction activity globally over 2007-2014, with development sites in China being a key catalyst to providing the urban infrastructure and fabric for China's future economic growth.