The Distributional Effects of Ownership and Control of Land Use in Oxford

Abstract

The paper deals with the theoretical problems of setting the mass of evidence now gathered about development planning in Oxford within a wider epistemological framework so that the essentially grounded theory being employed to order and understand that evidence can itself be set in context. From the empirical evidence it is concluded that the distribution of goods and services resulting from developnent control decisions between 1953 and 1973 in Oxford was regressive both territorially and sectorally. Areas with higher proportions of higher social class residents were more likely to achieve their objectives than those with higher proportions of lower social class residents. Feudal landowners, industry and commerce were more successful than private individuals.