#Spain #Barcelona #affordable housing #Urban Policy #Anacláudia Rossbach

HOWS Barcelona: A Critical Summit for Urban Housing

This November, Barcelona will host the inaugural Housing World Summit (HOWS), a significant international congress focused on urban and affordable housing. Running from November 3 to 5 at the renowned Gran Via venue, this summit is organized by the Barcelona City Council in collaboration with Fira de Barcelona, coinciding with the Smart City Expo World Congress. The summit aims to unite governmental representatives, real estate developers, civil organizations, academics, and various institutions to confront the pressing issue of housing worldwide.

A Global Perspective on Housing Challenges

According to UN-Habitat, over 300 million people are homeless globally, while three billion individuals live in inadequate housing conditions. This alarming situation highlights the necessity for collaborative efforts to address housing challenges. The summit will feature a roster of over 100 speakers, including influential figures such as Anne Hidalgo, the first female Mayor of Paris, and Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. Both women bring extensive expertise in housing and urban policy, making them particularly valuable voices at this summit.

Keynote Speakers and Their Contributions

• - Anacláudia Rossbach: With over two decades in housing and urban policy, Rossbach's focus includes informal settlements and social housing. Her insights will guide discussions on creating adequate living conditions for vulnerable populations.
• - Anne Hidalgo: As a leading figure in advocating for affordable and sustainable housing, Hidalgo will emphasize the importance of city planning that caters to all citizens.
• - Anna Minton: An author and Reader in Architecture at the University of East London, Minton's work scrutinizes the financialization of land and property. Her findings are crucial for understanding the impact of market forces on housing accessibility.

In addition to these prominent speakers, the summit will also feature discussions led by Carme Arcarazo from the Sindicat de Llogateres and Jordi Galvez, President of the Federació de Cooperatives d'Habitatge de Catalunya.

Engaging with Urban Leaders

Barcelona's Mayor, Jaume Collboni, will lead the Housing Mayors' Roundtable, which seeks to address the right to stay and assess policies implemented globally. This roundtable will include mayors from cities such as Milan, Budapest, Athens, and Atlanta, as well as Eamon Ryan, the President of the European Commission's Housing Advisory Council. This diverse representation ensures a multifaceted approach to the complexities of housing issues.

Five Essential Topics

The congress program is strategically structured around five critical themes:
1. Urban Planning & Land Policy: Analyzing how land use can be optimized to meet housing demands.
2. Housing Regulation: Discussing the laws governing housing markets and how they can be tailored for accessibility.
3. Social and Affordable Housing: Exploring models that ensure everyone has access to quality housing.
4. Building Innovation: Highlighting new methods and technologies in construction.
5. Renovation, Retrofit, & Reuse: Investigating the potential of existing buildings to meet housing needs through rehabilitation and repurposing.

From discussions surrounding the regulation of rental markets under pressure from tourism to exploring cooperative housing models and innovative financing schemes, each session will aim to illuminate viable pathways toward creating more accessible and equitable urban environments.

A Call to Action

As the summit approaches, it signals a crucial moment for global cooperation in addressing the housing crisis. It is an invitation for stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and rethink the current trajectories of urban development and housing policies. The outcome promises to generate actionable insights to promote sustainable and inclusive living conditions for all citizens, reinforcing the importance of collective action in solving one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Join us at HOWS Barcelona—the stage is set for transformative discussions that will shape the future of urban living.