Housing by People

John Turner's classic essay makes a unique contribution to housing theory and practise. His Three Laws of Housing summarize the psychological, social and economic basis of his thesis:

1: When people have no control over, nor responsibility for, key decisions in the housing process, dwelling environments may become a barrier to personal fulfilment and a burden on the economy.
2. The important thing about housing is not what it is but what it does in people's lives.
3. Deficiencies and imperfections in your housing are infinitely more tolerable if they are your responsibility than if they are somebody else's.