Commons vs. REIT vs. CLT Comparison
Comparing three different models for land ownership and management: regenerative commons, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and Community Land Trusts (CLTs), understanding their differences in purpose, structure, and outcomes.
Three Models for Land Ownership
These three models represent different approaches to land ownership and management:
- Regenerative Commons: Land held in perpetual commons for ecological restoration and community benefit
- REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust): Investment vehicle for earning profit from real estate
- CLT (Community Land Trust): Nonprofit holding land in trust for affordability or conservation
Regenerative Commons
Purpose
Regenerative commons exist to restore ecosystems and create thriving communities through regenerative practices.
Structure
- Land held in perpetual commons through perpetual land trust
- Nonprofit entity owns land
- Tokenized access rights represent use rights, not ownership
- Land can never be sold or privatized
Returns
- Returns compound in ecosystem health
- Improved soil, water, air, biodiversity
- Community resilience and well-being
- Access to regenerated land
Governance
- DAO governance with token-based participation
- Decisions aligned with regenerative principles
- Community autonomy within ecological boundaries
REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust)
Purpose
REITs exist to generate profit for investors through real estate holdings.
Structure
- Publicly traded company or private fund
- Owns and manages real estate
- Investors hold shares/equity
- Land can be bought and sold
Returns
- Financial returns (dividends, capital gains)
- Measured in profit and growth
- Returns to investors, not communities
- Short-term focus
Governance
- Corporate governance
- Shareholder voting
- Profit-maximizing decisions
- Centralized management
CLT (Community Land Trust)
Purpose
CLTs exist to preserve affordability or conservation by holding land in trust.
Structure
- Nonprofit organization
- Holds land in trust
- Separates land ownership from building ownership
- Land typically cannot be sold
Returns
- Affordability preservation
- Conservation outcomes
- Community benefit
- Limited financial returns
Governance
- Nonprofit board governance
- Community representation
- Mission-focused decisions
- Limited to affordability/conservation
Detailed Comparison
| Aspect | Regenerative Commons | REIT | CLT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Ecological restoration, community | Profit for investors | Affordability, conservation |
| Land Tenure | Perpetual commons, never sold | Can be bought/sold | Held in trust, typically permanent |
| Returns | Ecosystem health, access | Financial profit | Affordability, conservation |
| Governance | DAO, participatory | Corporate, shareholder | Nonprofit board |
| Practices | Regenerative principles | Profit-maximizing | Affordability-focused |
| Timeframe | 1000-year horizon | Short-term, quarterly | Long-term, mission-focused |
| Financing | Bonding curve, tokens | Equity, debt, public markets | Grants, donations, loans |
Key Differences
Regenerative Commons vs. REIT
- Purpose: Regeneration vs. profit
- Land: Never sold vs. can be sold
- Returns: Ecosystem health vs. financial profit
- Governance: Participatory vs. corporate
Regenerative Commons vs. CLT
- Focus: Ecological restoration vs. affordability/conservation
- Practices: Active regeneration vs. maintenance
- Governance: Token-based participation vs. board governance
- Financing: Token sales vs. grants/donations
Why Regenerative Commons?
Regenerative commons combine the best aspects of CLTs (permanent protection) with active regeneration:
- Permanent land protection like CLTs
- Active ecological restoration
- Community governance and participation
- Innovative financing through token sales
- Long-term thinking and intergenerational responsibility
Learn More
Read Rethinking Wealth for detailed comparison of these models.
See also: Regenerative Commons Economics, Perpetual Commons, Perpetual Land Trust Model
Related Terms
- Regenerative Commons Economics - OASA's model
- Perpetual Commons - Land tenure model
- Perpetual Land Trust Model - Legal structure
- Land as Commons Not Commodities - Core philosophy