Launching 100 lighthouse districts
21 February 2024 I Committee of the Regions I Final conference of the capacity-building programme of the European Affordable Housing Initiative, led by Housing Europe
Brussels, 21 February 2024Save the date
The European Affordable Housing Consortium has concluded its initial phase by reconciling the need for affordable housing, the Green European Urban Renewal and the reduction of carbon emissions. For the last 24 months, the project team has been preparing the ground for a renovation wave driven by social and technical innovation centred around people.
Drawing inspiration from people and places who have successfully put the fair energy transition into practice in local Lighthouse Districts, the team behind the Consortium has created a community ready to share knowledge and tools with practitioners who are now taking the path. After these intensive months of research, study visits, workshops and exchanges, the Blueprints for Replication of Lighthouse Districts were developed to serve as a practical guide for the planning, financing and implementation of integrated district renovation projects while always taking into consideration that there is “no solution fits all”
As the importance of human connection as driver of the movement became clear from the beginning, we want to acknowledge the mentors and mentees that took part in the project by giving them a platform in the event. Their experiences are crucial for the optimisation of policies at both the European and local level towards the goal of bringing 100 Lighthouse Districts of the Affordable Housing Initiative to life.
We hope that this will be an inspirational and fruitful event for EU policymakers but also for all the key stakeholders of the Local Industrial Partnership that are represented in the project consortium (local authorities, social, public and cooperative housing providers and SMEs).
21 February 2024 I Committee of the Regions (JDE51 and Atrium 5) I Brussels
Opening session
09:10 – 09:30 Welcome
- Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President Commission (Video Address)
- Bent Madsen, President of Housing Europe
- Andre Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities
09:30 – 09:40 Vienna Housing Model & Integrated District Renovation
Peter Florianschütz, City of Vienna & Member of the Committee of the Regions
09:40 – 10:45 The Project & Delivery
- Introduction by Henk Visscher, TU Delft
09:40 – 10:00 What the project has delivered?
Joao Goncalves, Director of Innovation Housing Europe.
10:00 – 10:45 Barriers & opportunities of becoming lighthouse districts, moderated by Elina Sergejeva, Policy Officer at Energy Cities10:45 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:15 The European Affordable Housing Consortium & the New European Bauhaus
Marcos Ros Sempere, Member of the European Parliament (S&D)
11:15 -12:15 Bringing 100 lighthouse districts to life
11:15 – 11:25 Policy Lab & Recommendations
Julien Dijol, Policy Director Housing Europe
11:25 – 12:20 Stakeholder Perspectives & Panel, moderated by Julien Dijol
Local Industrial Partnerships
European Institutions, Member States and Regions
- Project Officer / Policy Officer Affordable Housing Initiative – DG Grow
- Brussels Region on behalf of Belgian Presidency (urban/housing)
- Frank Lee, Head of EIB Advisory Hub European Investment Bank
12:20 Reflection and closing
Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General Housing Europe
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch and recognition of the efforts of mentors that took part in the Renovation Helpdesk
A series of short speeches & a group picture
The European Affordable Housing Consortium (SHAPE-EU) is the point of reference for a socially-inclusive Renovation Wave. Its mission is to support affordable housing providers, public authorities, and SMEs to deliver renovations that go the extra mile in terms of technological innovation, people-centred models or experimental engagement practices with residents. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Single Market Programme under Grant Agreement no. 101069909