Uncontrolled Land Development and the Duration of the Depression in the United States

Journal of Economic History, Vol. 52, pp. 785-805, December 1992

21 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2008

See all articles by Alexander J. Field

Alexander J. Field

Santa Clara University - Leavey School of Business - Economics Department

Abstract

Aggregate economic activity was heavily influenced by the construction sector's expansion, collapse, and failure to revive during the interwar years. The 1920s building boom was the first to respond to the potential of the automobile and the last to be largely unplanned. Its uncoordinated character slowed the growth of full employment output toward the end of the 1920s. The physical and legal detritus of unregulated land development posed continuing obstacles to recovery during the second half of the 1930s.

Keywords: Great Depression, Construction, Housing, Building Boom

JEL Classification: E32, N12, N62

Suggested Citation

Field, Alexander J., Uncontrolled Land Development and the Duration of the Depression in the United States. Journal of Economic History, Vol. 52, pp. 785-805, December 1992, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1109140

Alexander J. Field (Contact Author)

Santa Clara University - Leavey School of Business - Economics Department ( email )

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA California 95053
United States
408 554 4348 (Phone)
408 554 2331 (Fax)

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