In many metropolitan areas around the world there exist binding restrictions on residential development that are regularly adjusted to the increasing housing needs of the urban population. Such adjustments of direct land use regulations often give rise to significant scarcity rents. These rents...

The quality of newly constructed housing affects the character and possibly the future prosperity of locations for decades. Arguably, the quality of housing also causes externalities to residents in surrounding areas. Given the seeming importance of housing quality it is surprising how little is...