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Housing Densities and Consumer Choice

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  • Alan Evans
  • Rachael Unsworth

Abstract

From 2001, the construction of flats and high-density developments increased in England and the building of houses declined. Does this indicate a change in taste or is it a result of government planning policies? In this paper, an analysis is made of the long-term effects of the policy of constraint which has existed for the past 50 years but the increase in density is identified as occurring primarily after new, revised, planning guidance was issued in England in 2000 which discouraged low-density development. To substantiate this, it is pointed out that the change which occurred in England did not occur in Scotland where guidance was not changed to encourage high-density residential development. The conclusion that the change is the result of planning policies and not of a change in taste is confirmed by surveys of the occupants of new high-rise developments in Leeds. The new flat-dwellers were predominantly young and childless and expressed the intention, in the near future, when they could, of moving out of the city centre and into houses. From recent changes in guidance by the new coalition government, it is expected that the construction of flats in England will fall back to earlier levels over the next few years.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Evans & Rachael Unsworth, 2012. "Housing Densities and Consumer Choice," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(6), pages 1163-1177, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:49:y:2012:i:6:p:1163-1177
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098011405692
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geoffrey Meen & Mark Andrew, 2008. "Planning for housing in the post-Barker era: affordability, household formation, and tenure choice," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 24(1), pages 79-98, spring.
    2. Alan W. Evans, 1973. "The Economics of Residential Location," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-01889-5.
    3. Peter Hall, 1997. "The Future of the Metropolis and its Form," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(3), pages 211-220.
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    Cited by:

    1. Melia, Steve & Chatterjee, Kiron & Stokes, Gordon, 2018. "Is the urbanisation of young adults reducing their driving?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 444-456.
    2. Alan W. Evans, 2012. "Planning, density, and fuel use: A review," ERES eres2012_260, European Real Estate Society (ERES).
    3. Mattioli, Giulio & Lucas, Karen & Marsden, Greg, 2018. "Reprint of Transport poverty and fuel poverty in the UK: From analogy to comparison," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 114-125.
    4. Mattioli, Giulio & Lucas, Karen & Marsden, Greg, 2017. "Transport poverty and fuel poverty in the UK: From analogy to comparison," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 93-105.

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