Housing development and the role of local agencies. Case studies from Britain and the Netherlands

Abstract

This article examines the role of agencies in the housing development process of two European countries: Britain and the Netherlands. The aim is to investigate how the role of local authorities, housing associations and private developers changes in response to political and economic forces. The case study context includes four developments from the city of Rotterdam and Leicester. There is a case study from each city for the period of the late l 970s and early l 980s and one from each city for the period of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

A number of changes are observed at the national and European level which appear to influence outcomes on the ground. The main forces are an increasing emphasis on monetary policy and a more liberal market philosophy. These influences impact very strongly on the composition of new housing developments over time, where the number of completions in the social sector give ground to private provision. As a result, the role of local authorities has changed from one of direct provider of housing, to an administrative or enabling function.

The main focus of the article examines the contribution made by structure and agency paradigms in explaining housing development. The case studies show that in particular, the role of local authorities has become more similar. Other changes observed from the four case studies, however, do not fit so tidily the convergence assumption. This is explained by the fact that change occurs at a different pace and in a different manner.