Revitalizing Idle Rural Land: A Quantitative Evaluation of Policy Instruments and Evidence from China

The idleness of rural residential lands (RRLs) has become a universal governance challenge amid global urbanization. In China, revitalizing these dormant assets is particularly critical yet constrained by its unique collective ownership system and a state-dominated institutional environment. To systematically assess the current governance logic, this study transcends traditional single-dimension evaluations by constructing a three-dimensional analytical framework of “policy path–policy tool–policy effectiveness.” Employing the content analysis method, the PMC-Index model, and the coupling coordination degree model, we quantitatively evaluated 22 central and local RRL revitalization policies issued between 2019 and 2024. The results indicate that (1) The policy path forms a logical “goal–resource–process–guarantee” linkage; however, it lacks regional adaptability and exhibits a characteristic of “strong administration but weak participation.” (2) Policy tools present a structural contradiction: supply-oriented tools are overused, demand-oriented tools lack adequate market orientation, and environmental tools rely heavily on rigid regulatory constraints, reflecting a systemic tendency to “emphasize control over guidance.” (3) Despite these structural imbalances, the overall design quality and effectiveness of the policies remain relatively high. There is a strong coupling coordination among the three dimensions, with the richness of the path design acting as the primary driver of policy effectiveness. To optimize future governance, policymakers should establish a dynamic calibration mechanism for policy instruments and construct a hierarchical, differentiated policy path. These findings not only clarify China’s institutional reform trajectory but also provide transferable empirical insights for rural land governance globally.