Jim Gleeson
@geographyjim.bsky.social
Housing research and analysis lead at the Greater London Authority. Opinions here only my own, if that. data.london.gov.uk/housing/
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
New at Social Problems! Lora Phillips and I use panel data from LA to look at the prevalence and predictors of anticipatory stress around housing loss, i.e., worry over the possibility of experiencing displacement.
September 14, 2026 at 3:11 PM
New at Social Problems! Lora Phillips and I use panel data from LA to look at the prevalence and predictors of anticipatory stress around housing loss, i.e., worry over the possibility of experiencing displacement.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
This is, in a sense, a perfect artefact of 2026 for us to bequeath to future historians
Trump: "The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!"
September 14, 2026 at 2:31 PM
This is, in a sense, a perfect artefact of 2026 for us to bequeath to future historians
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
But how you measure consumption matters, too. Take London overall: including housing costs, Londoners spend 25% more than average. Much of that is just how expensive London housing is – adjust for it and they spend around 3% less. (Which measure is "right"? More in the paper.) 6/7
September 10, 2026 at 12:31 PM
But how you measure consumption matters, too. Take London overall: including housing costs, Londoners spend 25% more than average. Much of that is just how expensive London housing is – adjust for it and they spend around 3% less. (Which measure is "right"? More in the paper.) 6/7
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
#TodayInQueerHistory
Sept 11 (2001)
Mychal Judge was a Catholic Priest & chaplain to the NYFD. He jumped into action to save lives in the 9/11 attacks. He was the 1st certified fatality.
He was "a phenomenal, warm, sincere man". He advocated for the Church to change its stance on homosexuality.
Sept 11 (2001)
Mychal Judge was a Catholic Priest & chaplain to the NYFD. He jumped into action to save lives in the 9/11 attacks. He was the 1st certified fatality.
He was "a phenomenal, warm, sincere man". He advocated for the Church to change its stance on homosexuality.
September 11, 2026 at 3:09 PM
#TodayInQueerHistory
Sept 11 (2001)
Mychal Judge was a Catholic Priest & chaplain to the NYFD. He jumped into action to save lives in the 9/11 attacks. He was the 1st certified fatality.
He was "a phenomenal, warm, sincere man". He advocated for the Church to change its stance on homosexuality.
Sept 11 (2001)
Mychal Judge was a Catholic Priest & chaplain to the NYFD. He jumped into action to save lives in the 9/11 attacks. He was the 1st certified fatality.
He was "a phenomenal, warm, sincere man". He advocated for the Church to change its stance on homosexuality.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
The question of *why* we have seen such a dramatic increase in ethnic minority educational attainment in Britain is too little asked
From the 1960s to early 1990s there was a large literature seeking to explain the under-achievement of minority children that is now apparently long forgotten
From the 1960s to early 1990s there was a large literature seeking to explain the under-achievement of minority children that is now apparently long forgotten
And hasn't always been true, as you know. I find this chart on 1990s-2000s attainment striking - and showsi how inequalities are not inevitable nor is ethnicity destiny. For most ethnic minority groups, gaps weren't closed until the 2010s, and they have now reversed (which does attract commentary)
September 8, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The question of *why* we have seen such a dramatic increase in ethnic minority educational attainment in Britain is too little asked
From the 1960s to early 1990s there was a large literature seeking to explain the under-achievement of minority children that is now apparently long forgotten
From the 1960s to early 1990s there was a large literature seeking to explain the under-achievement of minority children that is now apparently long forgotten
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
This is an important building by Groupwork Architecture
1,000 tonnes of solid volcanic rock provide the structure for this 10-storey apartment building, massively reducing steel and concrete
This could be used up to 30 storeys, to create new housing and reduce emissions
1,000 tonnes of solid volcanic rock provide the structure for this 10-storey apartment building, massively reducing steel and concrete
This could be used up to 30 storeys, to create new housing and reduce emissions
September 8, 2026 at 7:02 AM
This is an important building by Groupwork Architecture
1,000 tonnes of solid volcanic rock provide the structure for this 10-storey apartment building, massively reducing steel and concrete
This could be used up to 30 storeys, to create new housing and reduce emissions
1,000 tonnes of solid volcanic rock provide the structure for this 10-storey apartment building, massively reducing steel and concrete
This could be used up to 30 storeys, to create new housing and reduce emissions
Missed it when it came out, but there's a striking claim in this FT article that advertised private rents in London fell 17% in the year to June, which is wildly out of line with other source pointing to rising rents.
That's the average rent paid, not the price on new lettings
www.ft.com/content/4481...
www.ft.com/content/4481...
London rental affordability improves despite recent rise
The salary needed to afford a rental home in the capital has fallen by 17% in the past year
www.ft.com
September 3, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Missed it when it came out, but there's a striking claim in this FT article that advertised private rents in London fell 17% in the year to June, which is wildly out of line with other source pointing to rising rents.
Lewisham Council celebrating World Car Free Day by closing part of one street for a whole three hours.
August 29, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Lewisham Council celebrating World Car Free Day by closing part of one street for a whole three hours.
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
I went back to China after a decade away—I'd previously lived there for 20 years. Some notes:
App Life in China
“It’s really tough doing anything in China right now,” my friend told me. He’s a serial entrepreneur in Shanghai with a locked-in grin. We were waiting for our food in a Taiwanese restaurant in a lovi...
www.chinafile.com
August 26, 2026 at 7:14 PM
I went back to China after a decade away—I'd previously lived there for 20 years. Some notes:
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
I was just talking to a friend today about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - new books every month, totally for free, for kids ages 1-5.
My son was part of the program - this is a copy of the letter that came with his last book, right after his 5th birthday.
My son was part of the program - this is a copy of the letter that came with his last book, right after his 5th birthday.
April 7, 2026 at 2:52 AM
I was just talking to a friend today about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - new books every month, totally for free, for kids ages 1-5.
My son was part of the program - this is a copy of the letter that came with his last book, right after his 5th birthday.
My son was part of the program - this is a copy of the letter that came with his last book, right after his 5th birthday.
Unexpectedly learning cool things about Japanese transport policy from the translation notes to a manga (Blue Period vol. 14)
August 25, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Unexpectedly learning cool things about Japanese transport policy from the translation notes to a manga (Blue Period vol. 14)
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Scientists stunned by children's lung recovery in ultra low emission zone. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Children's stunted lungs show recovery in ultra low emission zone
Children's lung capacity caught up with their peers in less polluted areas once a clean air zone came in, a study shows.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 19, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Scientists stunned by children's lung recovery in ultra low emission zone. 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
One of the most significant libraries of housing and planning in the country urgently needs a good home. Full details here:
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/a-good-hom...
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/a-good-hom...
A Good Home Needed Urgently for One of the Most Significant Libraries of Housing and Planning in the Country
The trustees of the Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum are disposing of its Harry Simpson Memorial Library in September, next month.
municipaldreams.substack.com
August 18, 2026 at 2:44 PM
One of the most significant libraries of housing and planning in the country urgently needs a good home. Full details here:
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/a-good-hom...
municipaldreams.substack.com/p/a-good-hom...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
Our Housing Pipeline report for Q1 2026 is in. Based on data from Glenigan, the report shows housing supply’s downward trend shows no signs of abating.
View the key stats 👇
www.hbf.co.uk/news/number-...
View the key stats 👇
www.hbf.co.uk/news/number-...
Number of new home sites granted planning permission falls as housing supply continues to flatline
Quick links
www.hbf.co.uk
August 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Our Housing Pipeline report for Q1 2026 is in. Based on data from Glenigan, the report shows housing supply’s downward trend shows no signs of abating.
View the key stats 👇
www.hbf.co.uk/news/number-...
View the key stats 👇
www.hbf.co.uk/news/number-...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
I looked at previous figures in a piece for On London. Obviously London has wonderful government but I wonder whether there's also an issue about education levels here. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
Londoners' belief in positive change could hamper Reform UK
They have weaker social ties than other English regions' but their stronger sense of civic power may frustrate Nigel Farage's party in May
www.onlondon.co.uk
August 17, 2026 at 8:07 AM
I looked at previous figures in a piece for On London. Obviously London has wonderful government but I wonder whether there's also an issue about education levels here. www.onlondon.co.uk/richard-brow...
This is not the pattern I would have expected. From MHCLG statistics www.gov.uk/government/s...
August 17, 2026 at 7:49 AM
This is not the pattern I would have expected. From MHCLG statistics www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
J'ai regardé d'assez près qui est mort où dans les données INSEE dispos depuis peu sur le début de la canicule, et vraiment l'attitude anti-clim simpliste à Paris se heurte à de sacrés chiffres ! Sauf erreur, dernière semaine de Juin, 290 parisiennes de 75 ans et + sont mortes à Paris, vs 90 en 2025
August 14, 2026 at 12:49 PM
J'ai regardé d'assez près qui est mort où dans les données INSEE dispos depuis peu sur le début de la canicule, et vraiment l'attitude anti-clim simpliste à Paris se heurte à de sacrés chiffres ! Sauf erreur, dernière semaine de Juin, 290 parisiennes de 75 ans et + sont mortes à Paris, vs 90 en 2025
Naive question perhaps, but isn't this a planning enforcement issue?
The planning application and marketing photographs (left): “The site will be a low car development with controlled parking provision. The internal road layout has been designed such that informal on-street parking will not be available.”
Versus the reality (right):
Versus the reality (right):
August 9, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Naive question perhaps, but isn't this a planning enforcement issue?
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
🔺 BREAKING: Police officers evacuated five men from a house in Norfolk after a mob of 100 people attempted to force their way into three properties which they claimed housed asylum seekers
Men taken to safety after Thetford mob targets ‘asylum seeker homes’
www.thetimes.com
August 6, 2026 at 1:12 PM
🔺 BREAKING: Police officers evacuated five men from a house in Norfolk after a mob of 100 people attempted to force their way into three properties which they claimed housed asylum seekers
New blog post: No, Manchester did not build more homes than Greater London last year jamesjgleeson.wordpress.com/2026/07/26/n...
No, Manchester did not build more homes than Greater London last year
A few days ago Manchester City Council published a press release with an eye-catching factoid. Manchester saw more homes built in the last year (4,766) than all the 32 Greater London boroughs combi…
jamesjgleeson.wordpress.com
July 26, 2026 at 5:08 PM
New blog post: No, Manchester did not build more homes than Greater London last year jamesjgleeson.wordpress.com/2026/07/26/n...
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
A motorist in Amsterdam was pulled over for being a public noise nuisance with his car. Noise measurement tests were done and the car was found to be in violation. The driver had to continue his journey on foot and the car is not allowed on public infrastructure until the exhaust is properly muffled
Automobilist maakt enorme herrie in Nieuw-West en mag niet meer rijden
Auto in beslag genomen op Ookmeerweg Amsterdam-Nieuw-West na geluidsmeting van 90 decibel. Eigenaar mag pas rijden na goedkeuring RDW. Lees het hele verhaal.
www.at5.nl
July 26, 2026 at 1:34 AM
A motorist in Amsterdam was pulled over for being a public noise nuisance with his car. Noise measurement tests were done and the car was found to be in violation. The driver had to continue his journey on foot and the car is not allowed on public infrastructure until the exhaust is properly muffled
New open-access paper analysing the effects of Auckland's upzoning on socio-geographic mobility finds that it was associated with more in-migration from poorer areas, less in-migration from richer areas, and less out-migration journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
July 25, 2026 at 8:12 AM
New open-access paper analysing the effects of Auckland's upzoning on socio-geographic mobility finds that it was associated with more in-migration from poorer areas, less in-migration from richer areas, and less out-migration journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Jim Gleeson
New article in early view at RHE-JILAEH! Together with David González-Agudo and Valentina Ramírez, we reconstruct the cost of housing in Toledo between 1489 and 1810. This is one of the longest such series in existence anywhere in the world.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
The cost of housing in the very long run: Toledo, 1489–1810 | Revista de Historia Economica - Journal of Iberian and Latin American Economic History | Cambridge Core
The cost of housing in the very long run: Toledo, 1489–1810
www.cambridge.org
July 24, 2026 at 9:21 PM
New article in early view at RHE-JILAEH! Together with David González-Agudo and Valentina Ramírez, we reconstruct the cost of housing in Toledo between 1489 and 1810. This is one of the longest such series in existence anywhere in the world.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Job opportunity! The Greater London Authority is looking for a senior housing analyst to help a brilliant policy team tackle London's greatest challenge. Applications close on August 3rd www.london.gov.uk/senior-analy...
Senior Analyst (Housing)
www.london.gov.uk
July 16, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Job opportunity! The Greater London Authority is looking for a senior housing analyst to help a brilliant policy team tackle London's greatest challenge. Applications close on August 3rd www.london.gov.uk/senior-analy...