Background
Across Europe, housing affordability is increasingly shaping the future of our neighbourhoods. As cities invest in regeneration, greening, public space and urban renewal, ensuring that these transformations remain inclusive and affordable is becoming ever more important.
This breakfast debate will bring together EU institutions, cities and European organisations to discuss how European housing policy can better connect with neighbourhood-level realities. The discussion will explore how the European Affordable Housing Plan, the Affordable Housing Act and the forthcoming Housing Simplification Package can support place-based approaches that combine housing delivery with social inclusion, sustainability and protection against displacement and gentrification.
The event will also mark the launch of NEBwork, a Horizon Europe project bringing together 17 neighbourhoods across Athens, Barcelona, Florence, Ghent, Lyon Metropole and Zagreb. Through Local Housing Action Labs, NEBwork will explore how cities, residents and other local stakeholders can co-design strategies for more inclusive and sustainable neighbourhood transformation.
The debate will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences between European policy and local practice, and to discuss how place-based and participatory approaches can contribute to the future of EU housing policy.
Moderator
Ivana Katuric, Director at Urbanex and Member of the Housing Advisory Board
Speakers
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André Sobczak, Secretary General, Eurocities
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Elena Montani, Head of New European Bauhaus, JRC, European Commission
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Luka Korlaet, Deputy Mayor of Zagreb
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Mar Jimenez, Commissioner for European Affairs at Barcelona City Council (online)
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Marcos Ros Sampere, Member of the European Parliament
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Paula LETUNIĆ, Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative (Coreper I)
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Stefan Moser, Head of Unit, HOUS-TF, DG ENER, European Commission
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Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General, Housing Europe (TBC)
Detailed agenda
8:30–9:00 — Arrival and coffee
9:00–9:05 — Welcome by moderator Ivana Katuric, Director at Urbanex and Member of the Housing Advisory Board
9:05–9:15 — Introductory remarks by Paula LETUNIĆ, Minister Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative (Coreper I)
9:15–9:50 — Panel discussion
9:45–9:55 — Q&A
9:55–10:00 — Conclusions and key takeaways