RESEARCH TITLE: Spatial Analysis of Real Estate Markets
RESEARCH GAP: The proposed research will investigate the glaring gaps in the real estate literature through spatial analysis. Several scholars agree that residential assets are, in most cases, the most monetarily priced assets transferred to the next generation in the form of generational wealth. However, how much households’ generational wealth disparity has been impacted by the pattern of South Africa’s home ownership remains unexplored. We will conduct a spatial analysis of residential house prices as
a proxy for their contribution to households’ wealth at the suburban level in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), South Africa. Similarly, there has been considerable urban development in South Africa. Taking different forms, these investments invariably lead to varied positive and negative spatial externalities. Except few studies dating back to 2017, little is known, for example, about how value creation has been in urban land markets as a positive spatial externality. Thus, a spatial analysis focusing on land and property investments across the different locations in CoJ will unravel how urban development investments (e.g., Gautrain investments) lead to the creation of value upliftment in CoJ’s neighbourhoods and precincts.
In addition, isolating elements driving the retail property market is crucial to retail property developers, investors and managers. With a history of apartheid, the South African retail consumer market is fragmented. Despite these prevailing historical and socio-cultural contexts, there is a sparse body of knowledge, for example, on how cultural preferences as stimuli that shape shopping behaviour variety. The research will employ various techniques, including conjoint and spatial analyses, to ascertain the influence of cultural preferences on shopping behaviour and capture the relationship between cultural preferences and shopping behaviour in CoJ’s retail landscape.
Research Hosts:
Dr Koech Cheruiyot, Prof Yewande Adewunmi & Dr Prisca Simbanegavi
Terms and Conditions:
The appointment is for a one-year duration, with a possibility of renewal.
Projected commencement date is January 2024.
The postdoctoral fellowship comes with a competitive remuneration and benefits package.
Qualifications & skills:
- A recent PhD preferably in Urban geography/planning, Economics, Statistics,
or Real Estate/Valuation (not more than 5 years post-graduation). - Research expertise in Geographical
Information Systems (GIS), econometrics (preferably spatial), strong quantitative research skills,
writing skills, and good publication record. - Strong organization and interpersonal skills
- Excellent
written and spoken communication skills
- Preferably candidates should be familiar with quantitative
data analysis and statistical software, such as R, ArcGIS pro, and SAS-web based, GeoDa, or GWR.
How to Apply
To receive consideration
- please send your application and the following documents.
- Cover/Motivation
Letter - Curriculum Vitae
- One writing sample (e.g., a published research paper or PhD thesis). Only
shortlisted candidates will be notified via email.
Recommendation letters from two referees should be emailed directly to kenneth.cheruiyot@wits.ac.za; and copied to yewande.adewunmi@wits.ac.za; prisca.simbanegavi@wits.ac.za;
Application and copies of degree certificates and transcripts should be emailed to emails specified above.