Global Economic Change, Labour Market Adjustment and the Challenges for European Housing Policies

This paper examines the 'global competition' aspects of housing policies and the implications of an emerging 'flexible' economic order for housing markets in advanced economies. An overview is given of movements in international patterns of growth and trade, including a review of the effects on labour and housing markets of increased competition from less developed, and newly industrialised, countries. UK labour market experience is examined, along with the responses of, and implications for, housing systems and policies. Emphasis is placed on the need to understand the connections between global economic change and regional/local housing systems when designing housing policy. The paper underlines the importance of integrating housing strategies with national competition policy.