Richard's research investigates the interaction between the urban planning system and private market forces in the built environment, with a particular focus on housing. Richard is particularly interested in understanding the linkages between urban planning and housing policy and the deepening relationship between the financial system, the development sector and the state. This work is driven by interests in the fields of urban political economy, critical housing studies, financialisation and socio-spatial inequality. In this regard, his work spans a number of inter-related themes: