在过去的20年中，人们对比较住房和城市研究的兴趣不断增长。在某种程度上，这反映了超国家治理形式的影响力日益增强，例如通过欧盟，通过颁布某些行事方式（例如，经合组织）行使“软”权力以及通过贸易实现经济一体化的日益增长和经济。全球金融危机始于美国次级抵押贷款市场的危机–但仍在全球范围内产生影响。寻找成功的政策转移，尤其是在财政紧缩的时代，也越来越多地进行比较研究。
There has been a growth in interest in comparative housing and urban research over the past 20 years. In part this reflects the growing influence of supranational forms of governance, such as through the European Union, the exercise of ‘soft’ power through the promulgation of certain ways doing things (e.g. OECD) and the growing integration of economies through trade and economies. The Global Financial Crisis began with a crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage market – but continues to have world-wide consequences. Comparative research is also increasingly undertaken in the search of successful policy transfer, especially in an age of fiscal austerity.Members of the group has a strong track record in conducting comparative and international research and consultancy for a variety of agencies, including the European Commission, European Parliament, OECD, Council of Europe Development Bank, UN-Habitat, UN-Economic Commission for Europe, as well as for overseas governments, including New Zealand and Finland.