Disentangling the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem in Housing Density and Price Associations

Abstract

Urban planning education must address the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) to comprehend the critical impact of urban density on sustainable city development. Quantitative studies using administrative area units face indefinite aggregate level biases. This paper introduces an efficient block-searching method to calculate property densities around residences of various boundary scales and empirically examines their relationship with housing prices in Auckland, New Zealand. Results reveal negative associations between housing prices and densities within neighbourhoods, emphasising the limitations of administrative boundaries. These findings underscore the necessity for planning education to navigate MAUP’s complexities in shaping urban development policies.