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An opinion regarding the grid layout as a goal and parameter

Author

Listed:
  • Lai, Lawrence W.C.
  • Davies, Stephen N.G.
  • Chiu, Hon Chim
  • Ching, Ken S.T.

Abstract

This opinion paper has the goal of offering two opinions as a guide for further and better research on the grid layout motivated by its coming back to planning research and practice. By analytical reasoning referencing relevant researches and real world examples, it gives from a town planner’s perspective an account for both the popularity and resilience of the grid layout. The first opinion is that the grid layout (gridiron (orthogonal/rectangular)) is a default planning option in relation to the town and country layout or pattern of land apportionment. The second and more important, based on two case studies (one from colonial Hong Kong and another from the southern bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow, Scotland), is that the conversion of an informal and customary layout into a formal grid land pattern and its subsequent modification is, in the word of Libecap et al. (2011), a major “institutional change” that involves high transaction costs measured in terms of time. Seven research issues are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Lai, Lawrence W.C. & Davies, Stephen N.G. & Chiu, Hon Chim & Ching, Ken S.T., 2025. "An opinion regarding the grid layout as a goal and parameter," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:151:y:2025:i:c:s0264837725000146
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107481
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marcello De Maria, 2019. "Understanding Land in the Context of Large-Scale Land Acquisitions: A Brief History of Land in Economics," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Gary D. Libecap & Dean Lueck, 2009. "The Demarcation of Land and the Role of Coordinating Institutions," ICER Working Papers 14-2009, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    3. Lai, Lawrence W.C. & Davies, Stephen N.G. & Chan, Edwin H.W. & Chua, Mark Hansley & Lin, C.L., 2020. "The production and consumption of land use planning: A neo-institutional economic perspective & three Taiwan case studies of planning layering," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Gary D. Libecap & Dean Lueck, 2011. "The Demarcation of Land and the Role of Coordinating Property Institutions," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 119(3), pages 426-467.
    5. Gary D. Libecap & Dean Lueck, 2009. "The Demarcation of Land and the Role of Coordinating Institutions," NBER Working Papers 14942, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    9. Gary D. Libecap & Dean Lueck & Trevor O'Grady, 2011. "Large-Scale Institutional Changes: Land Demarcation in the British Empire," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 54(S4), pages 295-327.
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    12. Rosenthal, Stuart S. & Strange, William C., 2004. "Evidence on the nature and sources of agglomeration economies," Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, in: J. V. Henderson & J. F. Thisse (ed.), Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 49, pages 2119-2171, Elsevier.
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