Spatial Housing Market Spillovers in the UK

The housing market is undoubtedly an important contributor to both the UK economy and people’s quality of life and well-being. Changes in house prices can affect many stakeholders in the market, including homeowners. However, the dynamics of housing markets can be difficult to predict, which hampers effective decision making. One of the contributing factors to the complexities of housing markets comes from spatial spillovers, i.e., the extent to which particular housing markets are affected by the dynamics in housing markets of another region or spatial location. Mapping and quantifying the importance of these spatial housing market spillovers as well as the effects of selected event shocks on house prices should reveal important causal factors that would aid decision-makers and practitioners in terms of devising interventionist mechanisms. Spillovers in housing markets have been researched elsewhere (US, Australia, etc.) but not quite so in the UK housing markets, and none of the previous studies have used spatial mapping tools.

Research proposals are invited that will focus on regional / spatial housing market spillovers in the UK. It is expected that study will be aided by the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software tools, such as Maptitude, to provide visual and quantitative analyses of historic house prices in selected regions. The study is expected to not only extend knowledge boundaries but equally be of practical benefit to a diversity of stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, and practitioners. With such knowledge resources, policymakers / regulators could control the long-term influencing factors in the UK housing markets. Equally, planning authorities could devise and discern predictive patterns of land use in their decision-making with regard to housing markets.

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements in a built environment related subject, including geography, urban planning, real estate, urban studies, among others.

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr. Cleetus Moobela ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here.

Download a copy of the project details here.