Changes in dwelling size preferences in the Poznań housing market

Introduction: Local governments should see striving for a sustainable development of their towns, cities, municipalities and communes as a key policy objective. Achieving that objective requires that the needs and preferences of local communities are properly identified and recognised in various areas, including the housing market – a specific segment of the real estate market that is characterised by its locality and uniqueness, and which serves to accommodate the needs of households, both the basic ones (such as physiological needs, security or belonging) and those higher up the hierarchy (such as esteem or self-actualisation). Aim of the paper: This paper presents data on dwelling size preferences in the local housing market in Poznań, showing that such preferences remained unchanged over 2010-2021. The paper identifies housing affordability as a potential limiting influence on such changes and a factor that may negatively affect the sustainable development of both the city and its population. Materials and methods: The paper uses relevant aggregate data on the real estate market, including those found in publications from Statistics Poland (GUS) and the National Bank of Poland (NBP), and the results of research conducted by the Poznań University of Economics and Business, Department of Investment and Real Estate. Results and conclusions: The results show that the local housing market saw no changes in dwelling size preferences over 2010-2021.On average, dwelling units bought are not big – they have two or three rooms and an area of around 50 sqm. This is caused by relatively low housing affordability in Poznań (too low incomes in relation to dwelling prices), giving rise to concerns regarding proper and sustainable development of local communities going forward.