There are many facets of housing pressure in rural areas, not all of which are the consequences of economic or market forces. Changing demographics and migration, cultural and societal attitudes towards rural and urban living and property acquisition, land use planning regulatory controls, the difficulty of securing affordable housing provision, a desirability for urban containment and countryside protection, the decline of traditional rural employment, the closure or absence of rural services, community uncertainty and social exclusion, and the constant environmental and social pressure placed on rural areas by tourism and economic development, will each affect the prosperity of rural dwellers and affect rural space and residential property. Many of these issues will be evident in most countries; other countries may experience one set of pressure problems.
Housing in the European Countryside provides an overview of the housing pressures and policy challenges facing Europe, while highlighting critical differences. By drawing on contemporary research work of leading authors in the fields of housing studies, rural geography and planning, the book offers an introduction to housing issues across the European countryside for those who have hitherto been unexposed to such concerns, and who wish to gain some basic insight.
This in-depth review of housing pressure in the European countryside will reveal both the form, nature and variety of problems now being experienced in different parts of Europe, in addition to outlining policy solutions that are being provided by member states and other agencies in meeting the rural housing challenge at this time and in the years ahead.