Land Economy Model Personal Statement
This is the model personal statement of a succesful Oxbridge Land Economy applicant.
Land is both ‘theft and freedom’. Theft because possessing it deprives others of something they need and freedom because its possession leads to economic power. This is Ryan- Collins’ bold assertion in ‘Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing’ which narrates the changes housing markets have experienced in recent history and explains the affordability crisis that now exists in the UK housing market. Many commentators attribute the affordability crisis to insufficient house building and limited housing stock, arcane planning laws and even immigration. Ryan-Collins argues the reason growth in property values has outpaced growth in incomes is due to the appreciation in land values, fuelled by the deregulated residential mortgage market; his evidence of the impact of Margaret Thatcher’s ‘right to buy’ and the Banks entering the residential mortgage market is compelling.
I first became interested in the housing affordability crisis during the research phase of my extended essay. Growing up and playing cricket in Greenwich, I was surprised that boys from Tower Hamlets played in my team; talking to them it became clear that this was due to the lack of green space in their borough. This lack of green space is in part a consequence of the affordability crisis. Over the years, planners have allowed development on green space to increase the supply of housing. My essay explored whether more green space would benefit the residents of Tower Hamlets. I considered the economic, social and environmental factors and discovered that, although having more green space would improve the environment and benefit local people, there is a paradox as the main economic benefits accrue to existing property owners as house prices rise. Tower Hamlets is the most deprived borough in London and would benefit from urban regeneration, but planners need to ensure levels of social housing do not decline to avoid accusations of social cleansing as has occurred on notorious projects such as the Aylesbury Estate. Gentrification, migration to cities and sustainability are all part of this complex mix.
Whilst my essay illustrated issues of economic inequality in urban areas, my production and sales of a Geography calendar aimed to combat the issue of gender inequality in Morocco, a topic I feel strongly about. As a team we raised GBP2,758 for Education for All, a charity which helps provide a college education for girls in Morocco, one of the most unequal countries in terms of gender. Having visited Morocco, I found this inequality sobering and am committed to learn about the relationship between education, population change and development. In the words of Lawrence Summers, the Chief Economist of the World Bank ‘investment in girls’ education may well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world’. Ed Glaeser, in Triumph of the City, is also clear about importance of education in driving urban success; education is ‘the springboard for economic take-off.' Through playing cricket from an early age, I have seen how cricket can bring together the diversity of humanity and act as a lens to see economic inequality. Last season I was privileged to play for Kent County 2XI, London & East England U17, captain our School 1XI and was awarded the School Sports Cup. Cricket is a time-consuming passion in terms of game time and training. I thoughtfully manage and balance my passion for academic study and cricket. Cricket has helped me to develop as an individual, a leader, a follower and knowledge sharer.
I am proud of my achievements in cricket and at School and was rewarded last academic year with Merit prizes in English and Humanities. The Kent Academy coaches praise my ‘coachability’. The skill of listening and learning I believe is paramount to my future success. When an opportunity arises, it is important to grasp it and work hard to achieve my potential. As a School Senior Prefect and junior cricket coach this is how I try and inspire others.