Originally published in 1993, Urban Land and Property Markets in the Netherlands provides a detailed explanation of how the land and property markets of the Netherlands work. This book describes the scene extensively and goes deeper to explain the situation in the Netherlands, with commercial real estate being regarded internationally as mature, and offering good safe investment prospects while other aspects of the land and property markets are unique to that country. The constitutional, economic and social contexts are described and current public policies are explained as they affect property development.

As urbanization progresses at a remarkable pace, policy makers and analysts come to understand and agree on key features that will make this process more efficient and inclusive, leading to gains in the welfare of citizens. Drawing on insights from economic geography and two centuries of experience in developed countries, the World Bank’s World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography emphasizes key aspects that are fundamental to ensuring an efficient rural-urban transformation. Critical among these are land, as the most important resource, and well-functioning land markets. Regardless of the stage of urbanization, flexible and forward-looking institu- ons that help the efficient functioning of land markets are the bedrock of succe- ful urbanization strategies. In particular, institutional arrangements for allocating land rights and for managing and regulating land use have significant implica- ons for how cities deliver agglomeration economies and improve the welfare of their residents. Property rights, well-functioning land markets, and the management and servicing of land required to accommodate urban expansion and provide trunk infrastructure are all topics that arise as regions progress from incipient urbani- tion to medium and high density.

Originally published in 1994, Urban Land and Property Markets in the United Kingdom, adopts a perspective that encompasses the distinctive nature of the legal framework, land law, property market and procedures of Scotland, England and Wales. The book provides detailed accounts of the structure of property, planning and tax law governing urban land and property markets, registration procedures and transactions charges, market processes and how they all work in practice. The book is based on a report commissioned by the German Federal Government as part of a five-country study completed in 1991.

Originally published in 1996, Urban Land and Property Markets describes the intricacies of the Italian urban planning system, and the interconnections between the property sector, the national economy, and recent historical developments, including the new challenges facing Italy after the early 1990s collapse of the party system. The book’s underlying thesis is that property values are ultimately created by urban planning and investment in infrastructure. Negotiations between local government and developers focus on three basic issues: the ultimate use of urban land, the quantitative control of development via planning permissions relating to city master plans, and the nature of public investment to support growth and property values.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between the planning systems and property markets in 17 key European cities.