Real Estate Markets and Sustainable Behaviour

Citation

Warren, C.M.J. (2013), "Real Estate Markets and Sustainable Behaviour", Property Management, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 92-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/02637471311295432

Real Estate Markets and Sustainable Behaviour is written by three leading property academics at Oxford Brooks University in the UK, including Professor Peter Dent who has been a long serving member of Property Management's Editorial Advisory Board. The authors are all chartered surveyors and have considerable experience in academic research and graduate teaching in addition to industry advisory experience. This very desirable mix of academic rigour and industry experience is reflected in the practical nature of this book.

The book seeks to present an analysis of the property market, not only in terms of its commercial and legal aspects, but also with a focus on the growing importance of sustainability as a performance measure in contemporary property investment. It addresses both the investor perspective and that of the corporate occupier in their property dealings, not just in respect of financial performance but also from a social and environmental sustainability performance viewpoint.

While comprehensively covering the traditional property material that might be expected in a real property textbook, this text examines the complex nature of property rights and issues related to both investors and occupiers in a rapidly evolving market. The book is presented in four sections. The first deals with an overview of the real property markets and institutions involved in the market. The second section looks at property ownership vehicles and the investment decision‐making process including analysis from a socially responsible and sustainable investment perspective. Section 3 takes a more holistic approach to sustainable property ownership with chapters dedicated to place making, balanced scorecard and business approaches to property. The final section reflects on the role of leadership in promoting sustainable business and property practices and provides a framework for evaluating learning of sustainable literacy and knowledge.

The target audience for this book is both property practitioners and students in property economics programmes. I can certainly recommend this text, particularly to those working in the sustainable property development field but also to all those with an interest in green building.