ABSTRACT
As with patterns of land use, the patterns of land ownership are important but poorly understood aspects of urban development. The principles and supposed effects of ownership are hotly debated from time to time but empirical evidence is thin. There is even justification for the claim that less is known about the pattern of land ownership in Britain today than at the time of the Domesday Survey nine centuries ago. Unlike some of its continental neighbours, Britain does not have a comprehensive cadastral survey and register.
