No abstract

No abstract

In this paper a number of recent investigations are used as the basis of some views on the trend of urban and regional research in Western Europe. The paper deals with research policy, research topics and research organisation and concludes that the character of urban and regional research in Western Europe may well change to become a more or less 'political' assembly-work activity. If this change occurs it will call for a considerable adaptation of organisation, research institutions, career opportunities and ethics.

No abstract

As urban problems are brought further into focus of public policy, economic studies of housing become more prevalent.Externalities and public good characteristics, as well as social overhead ingredients of private demand, make housing a favored object of public concern. Hence, it becomes necessary to understand the mechanisms of the market and to forecast development of housing supply and demand. For such purposes, a variety of models have been produced recently. On the supply side, models by Sherman Maisel, Richard Muth and Wallace Smith are among the best known; and on the demand side, studies like those by Margaret Reid 3 give many insights.Although most of these models show good correlations if empirically tested, they differ strongly in the independent variables chosen to explain housing demand and supply. There seem to be too many intereorrelating factors involved and single satisfactory solutions with simple, plausible theories have not been found.Among the various theories of the housing market, which seem most plausible? A model would be convincing if the factors underlying the development of the housing sector could be identified as the same as those causing general economic development, with some mieroeconomic explanations of demand and supply mechanisms in the housing sector.One of the most plausible attempts towards such an approach is the rnodel