A Joint Development Agreement (JDA) is a legally binding contract between a landowner and a developer wherein both parties agree to collaborate for a real estate development project. Instead of a straightforward sale, the landowner contributes land as part of the capital, and the developer brings in construction expertise and project execution capabilities. Under a JDA, profits, risks, and responsibilities are shared based on mutually agreed terms. This model allows both parties to benefit from the rising value of real estate without heavy cash transactions upfront.