The annual GdW conference on November 14th, 2017 in Berlin focused on the increasing differences between booming large cities and depleting regions. GdW president Axel Gedaschko called for a joint effort of the federal government and the “Länder” (federal states) with a focus on rural areas. The idea is to identify “anchor cities”, medium-sized cities of 20.000 to 100.000 inhabitants that have continued to develop their trade, communication and meeting areas in the last decades.

Following a series of positive announcements in October, the Secretary of State delivered the latest piece of good news for the sector by confirming the ONS’ (Office of National Statistics) decision to remove housing associations from the public sector and off the Government’s balance sheet. In doing so, they have reversed the decision made in October 2015 and reaffirmed housing associations’ status as independent social businesses.

New, modern, energy efficient living spaces in the heart of the city. An urban legend? La Casa por el Tejado claims and shows that if we look up, we may see the future of living in major European cities.