Continent: Europe

Bilbao-Bolueta regeneration

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Bilbao-Bolueta regeneration

Mismatches Location Financing Functional adequacy Services Cultural suitability Diversity Climate change
Policies and regulations Local policies Land Building capacity Planning
Financing Public funding Land Based Finance
Promotion and production Public promotion Innovation Technology

Main objectives of the project

The urban regeneration initiative in Bolueta, spearheaded by VISESA and leveraging the natural landscape along the river, demonstrates a strategic approach to reclaiming degraded land for societal benefit. Through a blend of protected housing development and soil remediation, the project not only addresses housing needs but also fosters citizen engagement in decision-making, contributing to social cohesion and environmental sustainability. In fact, the social housing building is, today, the highest passivhouse in the world. Bolueta serves as a model for Bilbao's broader transformation strategy, exemplifying the city's shift from industrial decline to innovative urban development.

Date

  • 2018: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Constructor: Construcciones Sukia Eraikuntzak
  • Architect: German Velázquez
  • Promotor: VISESA

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Bilbao
Country/Region: Bilbao, Spain

Description

Bolueta, although well-connected to Bilbao, Spain, has long suffered from environmental degradation and neglect. The intervention in Bolueta represents a strategic urban regeneration effort aimed at reclaiming contaminated industrial land for the benefit of society. This operation combines the development of protected housing with soil remediation, presenting an opportunity to adapt existing residential and economic facilities while promoting citizen participation in decision-making.

The entity tasked with implementing and constructing the new public housing developments is VISESA, a public company under the Basque Government responsible for housing policy development. Established in 1992, VISESA has constructed 15,283 homes in the Basque Country, managing land and promoting sustainable social housing in line with Basque housing law. VISESA actively engages in urban renewal and housing rehabilitation to enhance accessibility and improve quality of life while promoting sustainable territorial development.

The solution proposes integrating Bolueta into Bilbao's urban, social, and environmental fabric, leveraging the river as a central element for natural landscape preservation and enhancement. The renovated space supports a social public housing program, with 608 out of 1100 homes designated as social public housing to address housing needs and contribute to social cohesion. The public housing project prioritizes energy efficiency, acoustic and thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and the use of natural and healthy building materials.

The primary positive impact on the community is the provision of 1100 new homes, including 608 social public housing units to address housing accessibility challenges. This development is the tallest passive house building in the world. The residential development has also created public spaces enriched with interconnected amenities, with 25,386.38m2 of pedestrian areas along the riverside promenade. The design improvements enhance accessibility, mobility, comfort, air quality, flood risk management, urban complexity, social cohesion, efficiency of urban services, green spaces, and biodiversity.

The social public housing units meet the Passive House quality standard, making them the highest certified buildings globally, recognized at the 22nd International Passive House Conference in 2018. The project's success has attracted national and international interest, with visits from delegations from countries such as India, Canada, and Colombia, as well as 800 professionals visiting nationally to learn from the Bolueta experience.

Bolueta exemplifies Bilbao's ongoing transformation. Once a city in decline in the 1980s, Bilbao's soil strategy has converted former industrial land into public space for top-tier services and social housing projects. Bilbao, rather than developing new costly developments is changing all the Nervion River bank to transform its city. With the surplus of transforming industrial land into new uses, they manage to invest in public housing or key infrastructure that the city need. This scheme has been worldwide recognized as a success.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Collectief Goed, Antwerp

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Collectief Goed, Antwerp

Mismatches Price Functional adequacy Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Public-private initiatives Participatory processes
Promotion and production Cooperatives
Ownership and tenure Shared ownership Protection of social housing

Main objectives of the project

With a scarcity of affordable housing in Flanders, Collectief Goed stands out as a beacon of hope for families in need. By acquiring and renovating vacant homes through a cooperative approach, they've provided secure, affordable housing for 35 large families since 2015. Their emphasis on tenant participation and empowerment underscores their commitment to addressing housing inequality and fostering community ownership

Date

  • 2007: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Collectief Goed
  • De Ideale Woning

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Antwerp, Belgium

Description

In Flanders, approximately 180,000 children are trapped in poverty, facing the harsh reality of inadequate housing options. While purchasing a home is out of reach for these families, finding decent and affordable rentals in the private market is equally challenging. With only 6% of the housing market consisting of social housing, the demand far exceeds the limited supply, resulting in a staggering waiting list of 130,000 families. As a consequence, many families are forced into substandard living conditions—crowded, deteriorating homes that pose health risks, inflate utility bills, and exacerbate stress levels, leaving little capacity to tackle additional challenges.

Recognizing this dire situation, De Ideale Woning, a social housing company in Antwerp, spearheaded the creation of Collectief Goed, a cooperative aimed at enhancing the living standards of low-income individuals. In collaboration with three other organizations, Collectief Goed embarked on a mission to provide affordable housing with a strong emphasis on tenant participation and empowerment. Their strategy revolves around acquiring, renovating, and renting vacant houses tailored to accommodate large families on modest budgets.

Collectief Goed is born out of the initiative of individuals who have personally experienced the hardships of poverty. They confronted various issues, foremost among them the lack of affordable and suitable housing, and united to address these challenges collectively. Through their efforts, Collectief Goed has substantially improved housing conditions for its members, offering completely renovated homes with secure, long-term, and affordable rental contracts. This newfound stability serves as a cornerstone for addressing broader societal issues. Moreover, Collectief Goed collaborates closely with tenants, fostering their self-development and empowerment.

In the face of a severe shortage of affordable housing, many properties lie vacant. Collectief Goed seeks to remedy this by acquiring, renovating, and making these properties available to vulnerable families at affordable rates through an innovative cooperative housing model. To keep renovation costs low without compromising quality, Collectief Goed employs creative renovation techniques and engages technical schools and social economy workers in the process. Additionally, materials are procured collectively, and the project leverages various subsidies and premiums. Importantly, tenants are actively involved in every stage of the process as shareholders in the cooperative.

Financing for Collectief Goed's initiatives comes from a mix of sources. The founders initially invested startup capital, supplemented by private investors who purchase shares. Properties are acquired in exchange for shares and subordinated loans, while bank loans finance renovations. Tenant rent serves as another revenue stream. With a target of owning and renting out 75 homes to break even, Collectief Goed has made significant strides since its inception in 2015, providing quality, affordable housing to 35 large families with limited incomes. The relevant part, as we mentioned, is that these families are not just tenants; they are integral members of the cooperative, with opportunities to become shareholders and co-owners, demonstrating the efficacy of the model in preserving social housing stock and catering to underserved demographics. Importantly, residents feel deeply connected to their homes and the cooperative, reinforcing the sense of community and ownership.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Solidarités Nouvelles pour le Logement (SNL) strategies to provide affordable housing (France)

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Solidarités Nouvelles pour le Logement (SNL) strategies to provide affordable housing (France)

Mismatches Segregation Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations National policies Local policies Regulation Global frameworks Governance Public-private initiatives Participatory processes
Financing Financial actors Cultural actors Public-private collaboration
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Private promotion Progressive housing

Main objectives of the project

SNL's housing initiatives exhibit a diverse range of strategies, from prioritizing access to properties by transforming them into affordable housing in small towns, to securing long-term housing solutions in urban areas like Paris through partnerships with private investors and legal frameworks, and employing specific lease mechanisms for sustainable refurbishment efforts.

Date

  • 1988: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • SNL

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: France

Description

The French government estimates a need for 500,000 new housing units to address housing demands adequately, yet only around 350,000 units are constructed annually. Despite municipalities being obligated to provide social housing, this obligation is not consistently met, resulting in a shortage of affordable homes. Additionally, some properties remain vacant due to owners being dissuaded from renting them out because of taxation concerns.

Solidarités Nouvelles pour le Logement (SNL) addresses these challenges by providing temporary housing to vulnerable households and supporting them until they can secure permanent accommodation. In 2018, SNL housed 2,894 individuals, including 1,285 children, many of whom were previously homeless or living in inadequate conditions. SNL operates through SNL-Prologues, a real estate social enterprise that acquires, renovates, and manages properties for housing vulnerable families. SNL-Prologues, as a social economy cooperative, has opened its capital to social savings funds and private investors and is exempt from certain taxes due to its social mission.

One of SNL's strategies involves collaborating with local authorities to acquire properties rented with low-comfort features, converting them into decent and affordable housing.
For instance, in a small town where affordable housing was scarce, SNL successfully lobbied the local government to grant them the right of first refusal for a property unlawfully rented by slumlords. By persuading the municipality to address the needs of the households affected, SNL gained priority access to acquire the property. This allowed SNL to transform it into decent and highly affordable housing for five families, preventing it from being acquired by another investor. In Paris, SNL utilizes legal frameworks to partner with private investors, securing housing for vulnerable households through innovative financial arrangements and subsidies. Under this arrangement, private investors grant SNL-Prologues the usufruct right, enabling SNL-Prologues to rent the property for a specified period. Through financing of €150,000, sourced from subsidies provided by local authorities and NGOs, SNL is poised to accommodate vulnerable households in six affordable dwellings for a duration of 20 years. Additionally, in Paris, SNL utilized a specific lease mechanism known as "bail à réhabilitation" (renovation lease) to temporarily assume ownership of a 110 m2 apartment in the city center. Through extensive refurbishment efforts, SNL reduced the property's energy consumption by 35% and subdivided it into two smaller apartments suitable for two formerly homeless families. The property owner benefits from tax incentives associated with renting under this status, and upon the lease's expiration in 18 years, they will regain possession of a refurbished property.

SNL's efforts result in significant social impact, with 97% of individuals transitioning to permanent housing after an average stay of three years in SNL-provided accommodation. The average annual cost per dwelling, including acquisition and renovation, is €3,660, with funding sourced from rent payments (32%), public subsidies (50%), and private philanthropy (16%). Notably, the cost of housing a family in a hotel room is significantly higher at €6,240 per year, underscoring the cost-effectiveness of SNL's approach.

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CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Social Rental Agencies in Belgium

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Social Rental Agencies in Belgium

Mismatches Vulnerable groups Vacant housing
Policies and regulations National policies Local policies
Financing
Ownership and tenure Rental and temporary tenure

Main objectives of the project

Social rental intermediation, although initially seeming paradoxical, offers a solution to the pressing need for affordable housing by incentivizing private landlords to make their properties accessible to vulnerable populations. This approach, with deep roots in Belgium and gaining traction across Europe, establishes a link between private landlords and marginalized individuals, facilitated by public or nonprofit intermediaries. These intermediaries provide incentives to landlords, such as rent guarantees and maintenance support, while assuming financial risks. Despite being primarily funded by public resources, social rental agencies have become attractive investments due to tax benefits and steady income streams. In Belgium, successful implementation has led to significant growth in housing units managed by Social Rental Agencies, particularly in Brussels where government incentives drive investment.

Date

  • 1997: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Social Rental Agencies

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Belgium, Brussels

Description

Initially, the notion of utilizing private rental housing for social purposes may appear paradoxical. After all, private housing is owned by individuals or entities expecting a return on their investment, rather than serving as a substitute for social landlords. However, in Belgium, a significant portion (70%) of private landlords are small-scale operators. Moreover, the private rental sector increasingly accommodates modest households, with over a quarter of European households dedicating more than 40% of their income to housing. This underscores the relevance and necessity of addressing social concerns within the private rental market as a matter of public policy. Even with political will to invest in and construct more social housing, several years would be necessary to realize such endeavors.

A solution to this challenge is social rental intermediation, a relatively novel approach in Europe but one with deep roots in Belgium. The concept involves incentivizing private property owners to make portions of their rental stock more affordable and accessible to vulnerable populations. Social rental intermediation establishes a connection between private landlords and individuals typically excluded from the housing market. This intermediary, often a public entity or nonprofit organization funded by public resources, offers incentives to landlords who agree to rent their properties at reasonable rates. In return, landlords benefit from guarantees related to rent payment and property maintenance. Conditions typically include granting the social rental agency discretion in selecting tenants and setting rents below market rates. The Social Rental Agency (SRA) assumes financial risks associated with unpaid rents and property upkeep. This may entail assistance with renovation management and other incentives, such as tax advantages. Beneficiary households can access social support services as needed, typically coordinated by the organization operating the SRA.

In Belgium, SRAs were established in the late 1970s and have since become institutionalized. For example, the SRA Logement pour Tous in Brussels originated as an initiative of a nonprofit organization to assist migrant families facing discrimination in finding affordable housing with the aid of social workers. These agencies have been supported by government sponsorship since housing legislation formalized their role in 1997.

SRAs are primarily funded through public sources, presenting a challenge. However, they have become an attractive investment for property owners, rental agencies, and government entities due to the shifting of financial risks and the assurance of steady income and tax benefits. In Brussels, significant investments, encouraged by fiscal incentives, are being made in constructing rental properties for intermediation purposes. This policy has proven successful in Belgium, with SRAs adding 6,500 units in the past four years alone.

In Brussels, 23 SRAs manage 5,500 housing units, with an annual growth rate of 10%. The success can be attributed to regional government incentives, including tax exemptions and reduced VAT rates on new dwellings. Major corporations are undertaking large-scale projects, often involving the construction of hundreds of units, presenting a significant opportunity for SRAs to rapidly expand their housing inventory. However, the incentives in Brussels typically require the availability of units to rental agencies for only 15 years.

Rental intermediation serves as a valuable short-term solution for rapidly increasing affordable housing stock. It taps into an essential segment of the housing system that may not otherwise be fully utilized and can enhance value through renovation, mobilization of private stock, and combating discrimination. However, it should be viewed as a temporary measure and not a substitute for social housing, which provides a long-term safeguard for affordable housing stock.

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CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Census of homeless people in Belgium

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Census of homeless people in Belgium

Mismatches Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Governance Data and monitoring Evaluation and impact

Main objectives of the project

Belgium, in alignment with the Lisbon Declaration of June 2021, is committed to tackling homelessness by 2030, emphasizing the importance of data-driven strategies. The King Baudouin Foundation, along with research teams and local authorities, has developed a standardized methodology for counting homeless individuals, spanning urban and rural areas. Initial findings surpassed expectations, totaling over 16,000 individuals. The data informs annual reports accessible to all, while qualitative interviews aim to deepen understanding and inform effective solutions.

Date

  • 2020: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • King Baudouin Foundation
  • LUCAS KULeuven

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Belgium, Leuven

Description

In June 2021, Belgium endorsed the Lisbon Declaration, pledging to address homelessness by 2030 through systemic measures. A key aspect highlighted in the Declaration is the necessity for these measures to be grounded in accurate data to effectively guide policymakers.

Since 2020, the King Baudouin Foundation has been actively involved in collaboration with research teams from UCLouvain and LUCAS KULeuven, along with over 100 local authorities, in devising a standardized methodology for counting individuals experiencing homelessness in Wallonia and Flanders. The Foundation aims to extend this methodology nationwide to ensure consistent and recurrent counts across Belgium. The Netherlands has also expressed interest in this approach, which was successfully piloted there earlier this year.

The initial census took place in Leuven and subsequently expanded to Limburg, Ghent, Arlon, and Liège. This methodology goes beyond merely tallying individuals sleeping on the streets; it encompasses the entire spectrum of homelessness classifications outlined in ETHOS Light. This broader approach considers individuals residing in institutions, unconventional dwellings, or temporary accommodations with family, friends, or acquaintances. Thus, the census delves deeper than surface-level assessments.

In 2022, efforts were made to extend the census beyond urban centers to encompass rural areas as well. In Flanders, six zones were involved: Boom-Mechelen-Lier, Bruges Arrondissement, Midwest, Middenkust, Kempen Zorgregio, and Waasland. Counts were also conducted in the German-speaking Community, Tournai, and Walloon Brabant. The combined tally from these areas exceeded 16,000 unhoused and homeless individuals, surpassing initial expectations. However, this data now provides a basis for informed action.

The findings are published annually in a comprehensive report accessible to any interested administration or individual citizen. Moreover, the census team is now conducting interviews to gain insights into the pathways to homelessness. This qualitative approach aims to inform the development of innovative solutions.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Dublin Housing Observatory

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Dublin Housing Observatory

Policies and regulations Local policies Governance Data and monitoring Evaluation and impact

Main objectives of the project

The Dublin Housing Observatory (DHO) is a pioneering research unit within Dublin City Council, guided by an independent advisory board. It leads the council's efforts in housing, planning, economic development, inclusion, and integration, with a dedicated team reporting to senior management. Committed to providing evidence-based insights, the DHO strives to create an affordable and sustainable living environment in Dublin by fortifying housing policies with robust empirical foundations and managing crucial data on pricing, rentals, vacancies, zoning laws, etc.

Date

  • 2019: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Dublin City Council
  • AIRO

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Dublin
Country/Region: Dublin, Ireland

Description

The Dublin Housing Observatory (DHO), a novel research unit within Dublin City Council, is steered by an independent advisory board and spearheads the council's multifaceted approach to housing, planning, economic development, inclusion, and integration. It comprises a dedicated team of three professionals under senior management's guidance, reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive in Housing and Community Services.

At its core, the DHO is committed to furnishing evidence that informs housing policy and enhances operational efficacy. Embracing its mission to foster an affordable and sustainable living environment in Dublin, the Observatory strives to fortify housing and urban development strategies with rigorous empirical foundations. It acts as a custodian of crucial data encompassing pricing trends, rental landscapes, vacant properties, and zoning dynamics.

With a clear vision in mind, the Dublin Housing Observatory delineates four primary objectives. Firstly, it aims to bolster Dublin City Council's efforts in delivering top-tier social and affordable housing solutions while nurturing sustainable communities. Secondly, it positions itself as a vibrant knowledge-exchange hub, fostering dialogue and collaboration in policy design, analysis, and implementation within the realms of housing and urban development. Furthermore, the DHO serves as a pivotal research nexus, generating insights crucial for evidence-based decision-making across housing and its allied domains, including planning, economic development, inclusion, and integration. Lastly, it assumes the mantle of a data navigator, offering stakeholders, the public, and elected representatives an objective compass through the intricate dynamics of Dublin's housing system and market.

Since its inception, the Dublin Housing Observatory has made significant strides. From the launch of a comprehensive Mapping Viewer, in partnership with AIRO and OSi, to the publication of an insightful report on the city's Rapid Build Programme, the Observatory has enriched public discourse and policymaking with invaluable data and analysis. Moreover, its contributions extend to informing strategic initiatives, supporting departmental reviews, and fostering collaborative events attended by national and international stakeholders, reinforcing its pivotal role in shaping Dublin's housing landscape.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Metropolitan Housing Observatory, Barcelona (O-HB)

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Metropolitan Housing Observatory, Barcelona (O-HB)

Policies and regulations National policies Local policies Governance Data and monitoring Evaluation and impact

Main objectives of the project

The Metropolitan Housing Observatory of Barcelona (O-HB) is a supra-municipal entity dedicated to researching and analyzing housing-related data with the aim of supporting the design and evaluation of public policies in this area. It emerged in 2017 as a collaboration between the Barcelona City Council, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), the Barcelona Provincial Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya, with the support of the Association of Social Housing Managers (GHS).

Date

  • 2017: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Barcelona City Council
  • AMB (Metropolitan Government)
  • Diputació de Barcelona
  • Generalitat de Catalunya

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Barcelona, Spain

Description

Barcelona is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis. Rents have skyrocketed and housing prices are unaffordable for the majority of the population. Despite this, housing data were fragmented among different administrations, were not transparent and unclear. For this reason, the City Council promoted a metropolitan observatory that could systematize the data to provide clear information on how to act in the face of the crisis. To this end, the Generalitat (the national government), the Diputació provincial (the region), the metropolitan government and the City Council, as well as civil society, with the Association of Social Housing Managers, came to an agreement. Together they made possible the Metropolitan Housing Observatory (O-HB).

Thus, the Observatory gives an open data system since its creation. The data is structured in six chapters: housing stock; construction and rehabilitation; socio-demographic and socio-economic aspects; housing and land market; problems of permanence, access and maintenance; and public policies. From these open data, all the administrations share their information and citizens, researchers and social agents can also have an impact on them.

In addition, the observatory carries out its own studies and annual reports on the state of housing. In fact, when a regulation of rental prices was made, the Observatory was in charge of evaluating it from different methodologies. As a democratic instrument at the service of housing, it also organizes debates and lectures with specialists on a regular basis.

In short, the Observatory acts as a scientific tool at the service of citizens, researchers and administrations. For the first time, it systematizes data on the current housing crisis, debates the main policies and evaluates the programs that affect affordable housing. An open laboratory and a critical space to guide the future of a Barcelona where its inhabitants can live.

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Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Housing Observatory, Vitoria, Euskadi

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Housing Observatory, Vitoria, Euskadi

Mismatches
Policies and regulations Local policies Data and monitoring Evaluation and impact

Main objectives of the project

Responding to the pressure of the real estate market, Vitoria-Gasteiz has created a powerful Housing Observatory. This observatory, unique for a city of its size, integrates fragmented data from various sources into a single, accessible visualization. Thematic maps provide a detailed overview of the rental market, land availability and the general state of housing, all contextualized by the socioeconomic situation of neighborhoods. A tool that democratizes access to vital information to guarantee the right to housing.

Date

  • 2020: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz

Description

Vitoria-Gasteiz is a medium-sized city in Spain. Despite being the capital of the Basque Country, it is the smallest city of the three provinces that make up the Autonomous Community. Vitoria-Gasteiz is known for being a city that has invested a lot in being a green reference and urban regeneration of its neighborhoods. Despite this, it suffers tremendous pressure from the real estate market, which causes it to live in an unprecedented housing crisis. For this reason, the Housing Observatory was created. Among Spanish cities, it is possibly one of the most powerful observatories in existence. Especially when taking into account that it is from a medium-sized city, which is an uncommon place to have these information platforms. Its main objective is to have an open data tool and cartographic visualization of the main housing indicators.

Before the implementation of the Housing Observatory, the information was fragmented in various administrations and entities. Thus, the main task of the Observatory is to collect, systematize, update and relate data from various sources in a single visualization. All the information is oriented to inform the real estate sector, citizens mobilized by the right to housing and administrations about the main state of housing in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

The data are organized in thematic maps. Mainly, the rental market, new and used housing, land available for construction and the general state of the housing stock stand out. Around these maps you can find the average prices of housing, its condition or where new buildings can be built, public or private ownership. Everything is put in relation to the socioeconomic situation by neighborhoods, helping the idea of urban regeneration and encouraging more diverse neighborhoods with mixed uses. In addition, there is a visualization of the main indicators, which can be filtered by neighborhoods. Thus, it also provides a global and territorialized vision, beyond the thematic maps.

All this information can be downloaded and used freely by any user. In short, a tool for the democratization of housing data to coordinate actions to guarantee the subjective right to decent and affordable access to housing.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Mapping the vacant buildings of the center, Constanta, Romania

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Mapping the vacant buildings of the center, Constanta, Romania

Mismatches Vacant housing
Policies and regulations Local policies Data and monitoring Evaluation and impact

Main objectives of the project

In Constanta's historic city center, there exists a notable abundance of deteriorated and unoccupied buildings. To systematically identify, catalog, and spatially represent these structures, as well as to devise and oversee strategies for their revitalization, Constanta has developed an urban planning database utilizing a Geographic Information System (GIS), specifically ArcGIS. Leveraging GIS enables the conduct of various analyses and the visualization of outcomes through mapping techniques. This database serves as a centralized repository for pertinent data concerning these buildings and their surroundings, facilitating access for key stakeholders.

Date

  • 2018: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Constanta City Hall

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Constanța, Romania

Description

Constanta, the fourth largest city in Romania and a pivotal port on the Black Sea, boasts a rich history and serves as a prominent tourist destination and commercial hub. Despite its historical significance, the city has encountered a pressing issue within its core: the decline of its historic center, marked by dwindling population and numerous vacant buildings in urgent need of restoration. In response, the city initiated the ALT/BAU URBACT project to address this challenge head-on.

The initial hurdle was the lack of comprehensive data to guide solutions. To remedy this, a meticulous process was undertaken to compile a vast dataset encompassing every housing unit within the historic center. This involved collating diverse sources of information from various city departments, including urban development, heritage, local police, as well as public service and autonomous regimes governing public and private domains.

A crucial aspect of this data-gathering effort was the monitoring of building conditions and vacancy status. The local police department played a pivotal role in classifying and tracking degraded buildings, issuing notifications to owners and setting deadlines for rehabilitation. Failure to comply could lead to significant penalties, including increased property taxes of up to 500%.

Additionally, technical datasheets for each building were meticulously developed by volunteer junior architects and technical experts. These datasheets, enriched through field visits and collaboration with owners, contained vital information such as architectural style, construction year, and current condition.

The integration of this data into the ArcGIS desktop application platform facilitated systematic organization and regular updates, ensuring its accessibility to relevant stakeholders, particularly building owners.

Crucially, the database not only provided insights into building conditions but also encompassed broader contextual information essential for urban renewal efforts. This included infrastructure rehabilitation plans, municipal programs for building facades and roofs, as well as proposals from citizens, NGOs, and specialists.

As we briefly mention, leveraging this comprehensive dataset, the city implemented effective policies such as taxing vacant buildings. Through GIS-enabled classification, buildings were identified as either neglected, subject to fines without property tax increases, or neglected with potential tax hikes of up to 500%. The imposition of such measures incentivized rehabilitation efforts, prompting some owners to commence repair works or sell properties to willing investors.

Moreover, for listed buildings, collaboration with monument protection authorities ensured preservation and restoration measures were advised, underscoring the importance of heritage conservation within the urban renewal framework.

This case exemplifies how robust diagnosis and data-driven approaches can catalyze efficient policy interventions, revitalizing urban spaces and buildings, fostering affordable housing and preserving cultural heritage.

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Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Habitatge Metròpolis (HMB), Barcelona

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Habitatge Metròpolis (HMB), Barcelona

Policies and regulations Local policies Global frameworks Governance Public-private initiatives
Financing Public funding Public-private collaboration
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships
Ownership and tenure Protection of social housing Public-private partnerships

Main objectives of the project

Habitatge Metròplis is the metropolitan operator for the promotion of public housing. A mixed public-private company that seeks to build social housing in a profitable way for the private company. Its greatest advantages are 1) the innovative governance it assumes and 2) its metropolitan dimension.

Date

  • 2019: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Barcelona City Council
  • Promotor: Metropolitan Area of Barcleona (AMB)
  • Promotor: Neinor Homes, S.A

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Barcelona, Spain

Description

Barcelona is facing the biggest housing crisis in recent years. In the capital and its metropolitan area, rents are much higher than in the rest of the country. This is causing applications for social housing to skyrocket. Despite this, the number of social housing units in Barcelona is well below the European average and is falling. This is due to the fact that for years, social housing was under ownership regime. That is, after a few years it ceases to be protected and goes to the free market. Thus, there is a need to build social housing quickly and in large quantities.

Unfortunately, the administration alone could not cope with the great demand. That is why they have decided to promote a metropolitan operator. That is to say, they have created a mixed company, between the public and private sectors, to promote social housing for the metropolitan area of Barcelona. The goal is to build 4500 homes in 6 years, 50% within the city of Barcelona and 50% in the metropolitan area. The shareholders of the company are the AMB (25%), the Barcelona City Council (25%), the company NICRENT Residencial (50%), of which Neinor Homes, S.A. and CEVASA are 50% shareholders. The balance between public and private partners and the relationship of equality, co-responsibility and long-term trust is the basis for sharing investment efforts, risks, costs and benefits. This formula guarantees the social goals of the project and its economic success, taking into account the technical capabilities and economic solvency of the participating partners.

Unlike in the past, all the housing will be for subsidized rental at below-market prices and will always be publicly owned. In this way, the land will remain under social housing protection, despite the passage of time. With regard to construction, the operator must guarantee environmental quality and sustainability with energy saving criteria and promote accessibility and architectural quality.

It is the first company of its kind to have a metropolitan dimension in Spain. In fact, Spain has a high deficit of metropolitan housing policies. A study has detected 384 institutions operating in Spain's metropolitan environments. Of these, only about 30 deal directly or indirectly with the issue of housing, despite being one of the main problems of Spanish cities (1). Thus, the operator is innovative because it assumes, for the first time, that housing does not have a municipal dimension, but goes beyond its limits. In this way, its metropolitan approach is vital for developing a joint housing policy among the 36 municipalities that make up the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona.

(1) To see more into: Tomàs, M. (2023). Metrópolis sin gobierno. La anomalía española en Europa. Ed. Tirant lo Blanch.

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CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España