Housing Policy Reforms in Post-Socialist Europe

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xviii

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2. Introduction: Conceptual Framework for Comparative Analysis

   Pages 1-23

3. The Legacy of Socialist Housing Systems

   Pages 25-49

4. Political, Social and Economic Transitions

   Pages 51-63

5. Housing Policy Reforms in South East Europe

   Pages 65-90

6. Government Support for Housing

   Pages 91-111

7. Housing Systems: Performance Challenges

   Pages 113-138

8. Housing Privatisation, Housing Management and Public Housing

   Pages 139-158

9. Housing Finance and New Housing Provision

   Pages 159-186

10. The Transition in Housing and Informal Settlements

    Pages 187-207

11. The Transition in Housing and Nations of Homeowners

    Pages 209-230

12. Back Matter

    Pages 231-262

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The book explores both theoretically and empirically the impacts of housing reforms on housing provision in the context of the transition from a centrally-planned to a market-based economy. Fifteen years after the overthrow of state socialism housing policy has lost its privileged status of a political priority as most politically emb- ded systems had favoured market-based solutions to housing problems. This dep- ture from state controlled housing policies with the aim of providing a dwelling for every family is significant, particularly in some post-socialist countries where no new housing policy has emerged. The transition process, embedded in the paradigm shift from central planning to markets, has triggered off turbulence and adjustments with tangible outcomes in post-socialist housing systems. What has changed and what new housing systems have emerged during this dramatic ‘transition to markets and democracy’? Are these systems more efficient and equitable? These questions are the main focus of the book with an emphasis on diversity and change in housing reforms. The book supports the hypothesis that notions of convergence are not really appropriate to the conceptualisation of post-socialist housing systems. It argues that different housing policy choices are going to map out increasingly divergent s- nario for future development.

• Government
• Housing
• Institution
• Nation
• Transition
• Transition countries
• Urban reform
• transformation

• Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

  Sasha Tsenkova

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