Institutional analysis of housing production : a preliminary exploration

Abstract

This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic acceptance. It presents an initial inquiry into the housing production process, assuming a private sector perspective. Combined with other papers in this series, it forms a basis for institutional analysis of the DOE-HUD Solar Heating and Cooling demonstration program. In this paper the housing production process is characterized by six stages: * Building Concept -- the generation of an idea * Building Design -- establishing uses, designs, specifications * Building Finance -- price estimation and obtaining funds * Construction -- actual physical production * Service and Occupancy -- maintenance, management, repair, improvement, additions * Distribution -- sale, resale, refinance.c The final element, team selection, involves choosing persons and/or organizations appropriate to complete each aspect of housing production; it occurs through- out the process. Each of the stages is discussed, noting activities, actors, and constraints.