Land ownership, use and regulation: A case study analysis of a township in the early stages of urban development

Although the significance of ownership patterns for planning and regulation is apparent, most planning programs fail to take them into account in a systematic way. Little empirical research has been done, few data are readily available, and a well-articulated conceptual scheme is lacking. The comprehensive study of real estate transactions between 1972 and 1981 in Shrewsbury Township, York County, Pennsylvania, which is reported on here, provides a demonstration of the possibilities of conducting such analyses, insights into the usefulness they may have for formulating and evaluating programs of planning and regulation, and the type of empirical basis which may help in the development of a more comprehensive conceptual scheme.