Housing Markets and Housing Institutions: An International Comparison

'This book represents the first truly comparative economic analysis of housing policy. While the housing policy literature is vast and many comparative books are available, these analyses ... tend to be political/historical studies describing various housing problems and policies, and their evolution over time. These books, however, in general fail to provide an adequate economic analysis of housing policy. The present book represents a distinct improvement in this respect. ' Thomas S. Nesslein, Kyklos, November 1993 'This is an extremely useful book for any researcher or teacher in the housing studies area. Its value is that it attempts to unravel how, in various contexts, housing systems actually work. By providing detailed evaluations of the effects of policies at a variety of levels on market outcomes and consumer welfare in specific situations, it contains insights into both the benefits and costs of a variety of interventions. ' Chris Mahler, Urban Studies, February 1993 'All chapters are well written with consistent editing, and each is a complete case study. This book is an excellent reference source of housing data for the cities included. ' Margaret Miano, The APA Journal, Autumn 1992 'The book is an important source book for researchers who are interested in the historical development of housing policies and who wish to gain a reasonable working knowledge of the operation of a cross section of markets in wealthier countries. ' M. Stabler, Regional Studies, 1992 'The case studies are careful, thorough, and informed surveys of housing trends, conditions, and policies in their subject areas. Although they do not follow a common outline, all include the important historical and institutional information. Each presents a detailed history of government housing policies, in most cases covering at least most of the postwar period. ' Edwin S. Mills, Journal of Economic Literature, 1994 'It is a welcome sign that serious international comparative housing analysis may finally be coming of age ... After reading this book, we know how seven international housing markets are structured and operate. We understand what caused the failures and successes of these seven housing policies. ' Bertrand Renaud, Journal of Housing Economics, 1994

• 1 Housing Markets and Housing Institutions in a Comparative Context.- Housing Is Peculiar.- Housing Policies Are Special.- The Rationale of this Book.- Metropolitan Markets in National Economies.- A Taxonomy of Housing Policies.- Conclusion.- 2 The Swedish Housing Market: Development and Institutional Setting Alex Anas.- The State, the Counties, and the Municipalities.- Housing Policy.- The Planning System.- Land Use and the Ownership, Supply, and Pricing of Land.- The Housing Stock, Housing Production, and the Building Sector.- Financing of New Construction and Modernization.- Pricing, Rent Control, Rent Pooling, and Rent Negotiations.- The Public Queue: The Case of Greater Stockholm.- Swapping, Black Markets, Mobility, and Household Formation.- Housing Allowances.- Housing and Income Tax.- Conclusions.- 3 The Finnish Housing Market: Structure, Institutions, and Policy Issues.- Historical Background.- Urban Land.- Administration of Housing and Urban Planning.- Housing Production.- Development of the Dwelling Stock and Housing Finance.- Pricing of Housing.- Obtaining Shelter in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.- Mobility, Household Formation, and the Housing Market.- Housing Allowances.- Housing and the Income and Wealth Taxes.- Conclusions.- 4 The Functioning of the Housing Market in Amsterdam.- An Institutional-Economic Framework.- The City of Amsterdam.- The Development of the Housing System.- Population, Housing, and Mobility in Amsterdam.- The Planning System.- Pricing and Financing.- The Allocation of Households to Dwellings.- The Black Market: Squatting.- Conclusions.- 5 Housing in San Francisco: Shelter in the Market Economy.- The San Francisco Bay Area.- Federal and State Housing Policy.- Regionalism and Localism in Bay Area Land Use and Development 195 Summary and Conclusions.- 6 Analysis of the Housing Sector, The Housing Market, and Housing Policy in the Budapest Metropolitan Area.- The Budapest Metropolitan Area in the Settlement System of Hungary and Central Europe.- Development of the Housing Sector in Budapest.- Housing Quality and the Evolution of Financing.- Conclusion.- 7 The Vienna Housing Market: Structure, Problems, and Policies.- The Structure of the Housing Market in Metropolitan Vienna.- The Governmental Role in the Housing Market.- Conclusion: Major Impacts of Housing Policies.- 8 Glasgow: From Mean City to Miles Better.- The Message and the Medium.- Time’s Arrow.- New Pluralism.- Remaking Council Housing.- Conclusion.