Housing Markets and Planning Policy (PDF)

Housing systems in many countries are now more market-oriented than
ever before. This is particularly true of the UK, where there is
heightened interest in the ability of the market to deliver new
housing, as well as considerable debate among housing academics and
policy makers over the extent to which policy instruments can be
used to steer market processes. This increased market orientation
means a greater understanding of market economics is needed.

The challenges of providing affordable housing, while
simultaneously addressing the problems of low demand housing in
some areas, together with the revitalisation of neighbourhoods in
need of renewal, also underline the need for a better understanding
of the structure and operation of housing markets at local and
neighbourhood level.

This timely contribution to the field addresses the main housing
and planning policy challenges in the UK today. It does so by
examining the structure and operation of the urban housing system
and then exploring both conceptual and empirical analyses of the
workings of the market. The authors then consider the lessons for
policy makers, discussing the limitations of the policy framework
and considering the strategies for integrating market information
into the analysis undertaken in practice.

Housing Markets & Planning Policy is an invaluable
advanced text for students of land economy, land management, urban
planning, housing and urban studies. The authors provide a uniquely
detailed analysis of an important policy area that builds on a
strong theoretical basis drawn from housing economics. With the
challenges posed by the instability of the housing market, it will
be of particular interest to academic researchers, policy-makers
and housing and planning practitioners.