ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on housing and examines the extent to which the central state is giving formal direction through the 'hierarchical arrangements'. In our view, housing is a particularly apt arena in which to study both the changing structure of governance and the emergence of new planning rationalities. Planning for housing has traditionally been dominated by the concern to promote housing development and the whole mode of government in the sector has been ordered according to this rationale. In developing the projections of future housing demand, planning departments assess household formation trends using information derived from the decennial census. The purpose of the projections is to aid forward planning and to ensure that planning meets the Government's objective of a 'decent home within reach of every family'. The role of planning is therefore to 'provide an adequate and continuous supply of housing'.
