Housing Booms in Gateway Cities

Housing Booms in Gateway Cities is a book by David Ley that examines the development of housing booms and policies intended to stimulate or limit them in five gateway cities. It provides a comparative approach and offers a superb understanding of the politics of booms, lifting the debate beyond narrow housing and real estate studies. The book is required reading for anyone interested in global cities, housing markets, or comparative urbanism. It explores the importance of placing urban housing theoretically and provides fresh and inspiring explanations of both common global logics and diverse local trajectories of housing booms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

The book employs a comparative approach, examining the policies and factors that have contributed to these housing booms. Ley highlights the political dimensions of these booms, emphasizing how they have shaped urban landscapes, influenced social inequality, and impacted government policies.

One of the key insights of the book is the role of financialization in driving housing booms. Ley argues that the increasing importance of real estate as an asset class has led to a surge in investment in residential properties, driven by factors such as low interest rates, easy access to credit, and the desire for wealth accumulation. This has resulted in a shortage of affordable housing, particularly for low-income households, and has contributed to rising housing prices and gentrification.

Ley also explores the diverse local trajectories of housing booms. While some gateway cities have experienced rapid and uncontrolled growth, others have implemented policies to regulate and control housing development. These policies may include zoning regulations, land use planning, and affordable housing initiatives. Ley argues that the success of these policies depends on the ability of governments to balance the needs of developers, investors, and residents.

Housing Booms in Gateway Cities is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of housing markets and the role of cities in the global economy. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that have contributed to housing booms, and offers insights into the potential consequences of these trends for urban communities and society as a whole.

In conclusion, Housing Booms in Gateway Cities is a must-read for anyone interested in global cities, housing markets, or comparative urbanism. Dr. Ley's insightful analysis and comparative approach provide a valuable contribution to the field, and offer a timely and important examination of the complex dynamics of housing booms in gateway cities.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781119853602