site.btaExperts Say Knowledge and Technology to Resolve Europe’s Housing Crisis Already Exist, What Is Needed Is Political Will

Europe possesses sufficient resources, including knowledge and technologies, to resolve the housing crisis in an environmentally friendly way, while creating comfortable and attractive spaces. Among the greatest hardships in overcoming the crisis are the lack of political will and the difficulties in implementing the needed measures. These were some of the conclusions reached by participants at the New European Bauhaus Festival, which continues in Brussels until June 13.

Official data shows that housing prices in Europe have risen by nearly 65% in the period 2015-2025, and 8 to 10% of the European households in 2024 spent more than 40% of their total income on housing.

The housing crisis is a global problem traditionally associated with the Global South and informal settlements, but it is increasingly affecting the Global North as well, Anaclaudia Rossbach Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme said. Many young people can no longer afford to rent housing, and older adults can no longer afford to stay in their homes, especially in the face of extreme weather events such as floods, she noted. 

Experts underlined that both the necessities of local communities and the principles of circular economy should be taken into consideration in the process of constructing accessible living spaces.

An emphasis was placed on the return to conventional construction materials and the intertwining of tradition with modern technology in favour of urban space development. This approach would lessen the environmental impact of built areas on nature. Soil compaction and wood were given as an example of traditional materials combining practicality, accessibility and sustainability. The heterogenous regulatory framework around Europe was noted as an obstacle to the effective usage of wood in construction. Advanced technology and the reusing the materials of already demolished buildings were also discussed.

Some of the challenges in the contemporary building environment stem from the excessively limited construction time, Danish MEP from the Group of the Greens Rasmus Nordqvist argued. Housing prices should be well balanced with the buildings’ sustainability. According to him, there are numerous political debates underway, including the Green Deal, of which the New European Bauhaus is a key part. The outcome will be crucial in determining priorities at both the European and local levels.

Revamping old industrial and office buildings for residential purposes can contribute to resolving the housing crisis, architect Eva de Bruyn noted.

Another key aspect of tackling the crisis is attracting the financial sector to the process of implementing sustainable approaches in the construction industry, Martin Skea, co-founder of the Skye Real Estate construction company and a veteran of the finance and urban planning sectors, said.