Urban and Environmental Economics

The importance of the built environment to environmental protection is well established, with strict environmental regulations now a feature of the working lives of planners, contractors, building designers, and quantity surveyors alike. Those new to, or preparing to join this industry must have an understanding of how their environmental responsibilities relate to their professional responsibilities in economic terms.

Designed as an introductory textbook, Urban and Environmental Economics: An Introduction provides the background information from these disciplines to understand crucial tools and economic techniques. A broad range of theories of the natural and built environments and economics are explained, helping the reader develop a real understanding of the topics that influence this subject, such as:



the history of economic thought on the built environment
the economics of shared space in the built environment
cost-benefit analysis and discounting
macro-economic tools, measures, and policy
sustainable development
resource valuation.
Illustrated throughout, and with lists of further reading in every chapter, this book is ideal for students at all levels who need to get to grips with the economics of the environment within a built environment context. Particularly useful to those studying planning, land economy, environmental management, or housing development.

Graham Squires is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol. His research interests include economics (urban and environmental), development, real estate, spatial planning, housing, neighbourhoods and regeneration. He has written academic books and journal articles, in addition to working on various consultancy projects in policy and practice. His previous book, Introduction to Building Procurement, was published by Routledge in 2011.

1. What is Urban and Environmental Economics? 2. Perspectives in Urban and Environmental Economics 3. The Built and Natural Environment According to Economists 4. The Basic Economic Problem in Shared Spaces 5. Limits to Growth: Balancing Space and Resources 6. Market Forces: Demand and Supply 7. Failure of the Market and Externalities 8. Cost-Benefit Analysis and Discounting 9. Macro-Economic Considerations 10. Macro-economic Objectives and Policy Tools 11. Shared Urban Space: Themes and Application 12. Environmental Resources and Use in Urban Space 13. Policy and Contemporary Challenges