Module: Contemporary Issues in Property and Society

Module details

  • Module code

    3026

  • Module leader

    Peter Morris

  • Module Level

    6

  • Module credits

    15

  • Min study time

    150 hours

  • Contact hrs

    42 hours

  • Teaching Period

    Semester 1

Module content

Students are required to present an appraisal of a contemporary land and property issue. It is likely that the topics chosen will have given, and will continue to give, rise to media comment and political discussion at both local and national levels, for example: social constraints on ownership rights leading to new legal measures; preservation of heritage and the environment; sustainable development (including affordable housing); taxation of property; valuation of intangibles such as amenity, heritage and privacy; business practice, regulation and ethics, etc.

Students will be exposed to one or two real life mega urban regeneration projects in London which will be accompanied by a visit to the area. The purpose of the project visit is to examine the impact of urban regeneration in economically deprived areas, the socio economic and physical transformation of major urban areas and potential impact on the residential and commercial property.

Of particular interests are the Olympic regeneration area and the legacy of the games that demonstrate the strategic role of transportation, employment and skills development as part of the spatial planning and sustainable development. Key questions to consider are the impact of such transformation on local communities, quality of life and property prices.

Module outcomes

To achieve credit for this module, students must be able to:

  1. Produce a paper based on systematic literature review modelled on an academic journal related to contemporary issues in real estate.
  2. Demonstrate an ability to critically review the literature and to understand cutting edge concepts in real estate issues in their historical, social, economic, professional and technical context.
  3. Understand the dynamics of urban transformation as a consequence of urban regeneration and impact on the property.
  4. Understand how to access relevant sources of informed opinion.
  5. Demonstrate advanced skills in written and oral presentation and professional communication.

Assessment

Assessment Description Weighting
Coursework Paper (2,000 words) 70%
Coursework Presentation 30%

Key texts

Students should be familiar with the content of at least one of the following:

  • Burgess, G. (2010). The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Low-Cost Home Ownership in the UK. In Monk, S and Whitehead, C. (eds.) Making Housing More Affordable: The Role of Intermediate Tenures. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford. Chapter 13.
  • Cooke, H. and Keeping, M. (2011). Corporate Real Estate Management: Strategy and Implementation. Journal of Property Investment and Finance. 29(3): 331-332.
  • Gurran, N. and Whitehead, C. (2011). Planning and Affordable Housing in Australia and the UK: A Comparative Perspective. Housing Studies. 26 (7-8).
  • Pivo, G. and Fisher, J.D. (2011). The Walkability Premium in Commercial Real Estate Investments. Real Estate Economics. 39: 185-219.
  • RICS research paper series (various).
  • Scott, P.J. and Lizieri, C.M. Preference Construction and Housing Choice: The Role of the Estate Agent (February 3, 2011). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1754419 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1754419

Supporting texts

  • Two quality UK daily newspapers (i.e. Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, Times).
  • Current journals in College Library, especially Estates Gazette.
  • Web based resources: e.g. the RICS, DCLG, DEFRA, etc.
  • Research guides and reference material, e.g. Wisker, G. (2009). The Undergraduate Research Handbook. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan