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Examines the provisions of the Directive from the European Community to allow professionally qualified individuals to practise anywhere in the Union, from the perspective of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Speculates particularly on how the Directive will affect a practicioner in the General Practice Division. Concludes that the Directive poses problems but opens up opportunities. Poses the question “what is a chartered surveyor?”.

Describes the recent economic and land reforms in China, and the consequent changes in the emerging Chinese property market. Analyses the need for property management valuation skills in China in the light of problems of country size, regional differences, the scale of economic reforms and the speed with which they are being implemented, administration and the difficulty of educating a large number of property professionals.

The paper aims to address concerns that valuers' choice of depreciation models in their cost approach to value is not sustainable (is incapable of preserving patronage in present and future generations).

The paper draws up conceptual expectations regarding how seven UK and US depreciation models pass or fail four identified sustainability indicators: reliability, consistency, usability and separate treatment of depreciation components. Valuation surveyors in Nigeria were offered as a case study of how valuers in one country respond to such conceptual investigations.

The study found that cross‐sectional models, the breakdown model and hedonic modeling are the depreciation models perceived as most sustainable. However, popular model use follows easiest models rather than most sustainable models.

The paper suggests that the pursuit of sustainability in valuation modeling should involve provision of institutionalized best practice guidance beyond that currently provided so as to assist valuers/appraisers in more sustainable choices.

The paper is probably the first to address both UK and US depreciation models and to assess each using defined sustainability criteria.

This paper evaluates on a comparative basis three different property tax systems, British, French and Swedish. For this purpose an evaluation model, based on two criteria – namely efficiency and fairness – and on a number of sub‐criteria, is used. A comparison of the systems’ efficiency reveals that the French system is the least efficient while the Swedish system is the most efficient. A comparison of the systems’ fairness shows that, despite significant variations in the systems characteristics, all three systems can be evaluated as relatively fair.

Since 1993 the UK has used a “banded” property tax as opposed to discrete values for the assessment of residential property. Explains both the advantages and disadvantages of the system. In addition, summarises the main results of empirical research into the use of banded property values which have been unaltered for ten years. In summary, aims to present findings on the continued operation of this unique system, highlighting strengths and weaknesses and its viability/applicability in other countries and jurisdictions in the light of empirical evidence based on the analysis of open market transactions. Discusses both the assessment and administration process and, with the analysis of sales data, demonstrates the importance of regular and frequent revaluations of the tax base in order to ensure a reasonable level of both vertical and horizontal equity. Speculates on the potential application of a banded system of property values in other countries, in the light of the advantages of the banded system which could lend themselves to jurisdictions where an ad valorem system of land taxation is inappropriate; where resources are limited in terms of experienced valuers, or where the availability of technology to undertake mass appraisal would provide added advantages. Concludes by drawing together recommendations in relation to how the system in the UK can be improved and makes recommendations for policy‐makers in other jurisdictions.

Providing accessible and inclusive environments fulfils legislative obligations and creates financial benefits. Historic-listed buildings rely on heritage tourism for continued financial support. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how historic-listed buildings adapt to afford access to people with disabilities (PwD), through physical and non-physical interventions.

Using a case study approach of an historic property, research comprises of: an observational visitor survey, determining visitor demographic regarding visible disabilities; an access audit, determining current accessibility; interviews with the property’s Access Team; and desktop-based research.

The results depict the complexity, challenges and barriers in making historic buildings accessible for PwD. Through alternative training and inclusive initiatives, the findings reveal how historic buildings may support the multiplicity of individuals’ access requirements.

Further research incorporating longer surveying periods, wider demographic of interviewees and multiple case study analysis would provide richer, comparable data in understanding the intrinsic complexities involved in creating accessibility within historic buildings. The implications of this research could transcend management, conservation and adaptation of listed buildings in identifying the defined barriers and solutions to overcome them.

The originality of this paper relates to the use of alternative services creating access when physical changes are deemed “unreasonable”. A conceptual framework is developed depicting the complexity, challenges and barriers in making historic buildings accessible for PwD.

In the light of Europe’s experience of its Directive on mutual recognition of professional qualifications and the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) intention to achieve a global marketplace for professional services by identifying “disciplines” which can be applied to all professions, this paper considers a potential methodology for achieving a global system for the free movement of professionals. The paper explains the process of mutual recognition as implemented within the European Union and discusses the approach which the WTO is likely to adopt towards the globalisation of services. The problems which face the surveying profession (including the problem of identifying the various surveying professions which exist in different countries), the role of professional organisations, the nature of “professional competence” and the threshold standards applied to professional competence as a vital component of any mutual recognition process are also discussed.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which the process of becoming a surveyor in Ghana mirrors a broad conception of professionalism.

The work is grounded in field research in the form of interviews/survey conducted by the authors in Ghana. The sample is drawn in such a way that the work benefits from the experiences of people at different levels of surveying training.

The study reveals that professional surveying training in Ghana is effective but narrow: senior surveyors do provide mentoring to probationers, but they engage in poor labour practices; probationers do obtain professional training, but many of their expectations are not met. While there are both costs and benefits to the mentors and mentees, the study finds that, on balance, the process of professionalisation is designed to favour a few owners of surveying firms.

It is the intention of the authors that this work would contribute to a process of “conscientisation”. The paper provides part of the basis for young surveyors to reject being passive recipients of instruction to becoming active workers and professionals who have a deep awareness of the social reality which shapes their professional lives and understand how they can reshape that reality.

This research work is the first study of the state of professionalism and work conditions of surveyors in Ghana. The study sheds light on the conditions under which surveyors work and shows how professional they are. On the one hand, this study provides the opportunity for prospective surveyors in Ghana to reflect on their aspiration before embarking on that “journey”. On the other hand, it gives practising surveyors a basis for reflecting on how the profession can be improved.