Evolution of Property Rights: Locke to Modern Urban Planning

This lecture explores the evolution of property rights from Medieval times to modern urban planning, starting with the concept of land as a common good according to Medieval theologians, moving through John Locke's natural property rights, Adam Smith's acquired property rights, and the rise of speculation in urban land. It delves into historical examples such as the Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes in 1841, the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919, and the Dutch Housing Act of 1901-1902. The lecture also covers the impact of social housing initiatives, the development of new towns like Castel Vale Housing Estate in Birmingham, and the rise of council housing in Manchester in the 1970s.