Final answer:
The difference between assemblage and plottage is that assemblage is the process of combining two or more adjacent parcels of land into a single larger parcel, whereas plottage refers to the increase in value that results from combining those parcels, rather than the action of subdividing land.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between assemblage and plottage is related to real estate concepts involving land. Assemblage is the process of consolidating two or more adjoining lots into one larger parcel. The idea behind assemblage is often to combine the lots to enhance their total value or to enable a use that could not be achieved by smaller individual lots. On the other hand, plottage refers to the incremental increase in the value of the land resulting from the assemblage process. Plottage captures the concept that the combined land's value is greater than the sum of the individual parcels' values before assemblage.
To clarify the options presented in the question, let's note that:
Option a) incorrect because assemblage is not about subdividing land.
Option b) is the correct answer since assemblage is indeed the combining of adjacent parcels, and plottage is related to the value increase rather than subdividing.
Option c) is incorrect because it states that both terms refer to the process of combining parcels but does not distinguish the value aspect represented by plottage.
Option d) is incorrect because the terms are not synonymous; one refers to the action of combining parcels, and the other to the associated value increase.