Power Relationships in Housing Production: A Sociotechnical Systems Perspective on the Expanding Suburbs

Abstract

Despite repeated calls for housing diversity, a persistent housing product dominates new suburbs: the low-density single-family dwelling. This article investigates the systems perpetuating this housing form by exploring power within the housing supply industry. It uses a sociotechnical systems approach to identify and examine the complex links between government, industry and consumers responsible for greenfield suburbs. Interviews with the key actors from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region inform the power relations around negotiation, regulation, provision of choice and feedback, offering insight into housing industry relationships. This paper argues that challenging these industry relationships is necessary for achieving greater housing diversity.