Behavior of land markets and restrictions on housing access in Buenos Aires between 2003 and 2013

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to understand the paradoxal development in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where economic growth was not accompanied by improved housing access. The period between the years 2003 and 2013 was characterized by a sustained economic growth with social inclusion and a great expansion of both social and private housing supply in the cities of Argentina. However, this growth was not accompanied by an improvement in the overall access to land and housing. On the contrary, the habitation problems in terms of access to formal, environmentally safe and well-located land with decent facilities have worsened. The City of Buenos Aires is one of the places where this paradox is most manifested. Design/methodology/approach The functioning of the land markets and the real estate development in Buenos Aires will be analyzed in the period 2003-2013 in relation to the macroeconomic context, the monetary effort for the acquisition and rent of a formal dwelling and certain logics of urban development. Findings The rhythm of urban land valorization continuously surpassed that of other commodities and services. The expansion of residential production did not improve the access to formal housing. On the contrary, habitation issues have worsened and conflicts concerning access to land, housing and the city have rapidly increased since 2003. Originality/value In a Latin American context, this paper is the first to establish a conceptual relationship based on empirical data between land price dynamics and real estate development. The paper is also original in its identification of a change in valorization rhythm and pattern of real estate development in the past decade (2003-2013).