5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

The relationship between universities and cities has been extensively examined by various scholars, each contributing to the delineation of distinct interpretative frameworks: the role of universities within the dynamics of urban development (Knowledge Economy), universities physically transforming the urban fabric. The sociological perspective is, delving into the interactions between the academic population, particularly university students, and other urban stakeholders. In essence, the student city landscape in ruled by urban governance composed of stakeholders belonging to universities, local governments, private housing providers, and students.

One area of converging interests across multiple disciplines is the financialisation of student housing. Such processes accelerate the commodification of housing. Moreover, the emergence of purpose-build student accommodations (PBSA) in many cities have led to integrating the studies of student housing into broader analysis of the financialisation of housing and the urban space, at large.

It is in this context the proposed panel will examine the ‘financialisation of student housing’ from international and comparative perspectives. We will locate the analysis of student housing in comparative ‘housing regimes’ as tenure patterns and housing provisions of each society differ. The theme of the panel has a close link to ‘spatial justice’, considering the dynamic interactions of stakeholders. Furthermore, the impact of (student) housing financialisation on social mobility of young adults will be also examined. As increasingly housing costs alongside tuition fees have become barriers for young adults to enter Higher Education. Social inequalities are indeed an underlying theme for this panel.