The problem as between housing and land: some thoughts upon the recommendations of the select Committee on town and country planning

Abstract

The paper recounts that in the mid 80,s and during one of the main boom periods of the spanish economy there was also a rise in building that, in turn, led to another steep one in ground prices that harshened the problem of housing access This was not so much one of an overall supply of housing but rather of an important part of the demand for its' being unable to meet its asking price.The author thus sees this problem as having to do with an imbalance here between family incomes and market prices. The sharpest price rises have shown in the metropolitan areas where the cost of ground has frequently become a very major part of the overall price to the buyer of housing. An all but unanimous acceptance of the fact that one of the basic causes for this situation had its roots in this over-pricing of ground led to a discussing of the matter that gelled in the 8/90 Law as to The Reforming of Planning Legislation and the Valuing of Land as well as the setting up of housing schemes by various governing bodies, outstanding amongst which being the Plan 1992-95. The setting up of the Select Committee on Town and Country planning and irs recommendations expressed in, «A Prolegomena for Policy and Regulations as to Land» are but the latest features of this process in itself expressive of a will to go further into the roots of an outstanding political and economic problem. The paper after so defining the issue, goes on to express some of the author's thoughts as to the findings and recommendations put out in the final report of this Select Committee.