Land value forms the basis for many real estate valuations and tax assessments. It is published by valuation committees as standard land values, indicating average location values per square metre for specific zones. Land is a scarce, non-reproducible asset, which is why land values have risen sharply in metropolitan areas. The difference between land value and total property value reveals the building's share of overall worth. Urban planning and land policy discussions focus on how rising land values can be socially captured, for example through property tax reforms or municipal pre-emption rights. High land value increases benefit owners while making new affordable housing construction more difficult.