Planning meets housing: a new PlanningMatters webinar series for 2026

Join us for the first episode on 25 February

Conference

Posted on 6 February 2026

 


 
In 2026, PlanningMatters will focus on the links between housing policy and spatial planning across European cities and regions with a new series of five webinars (February–November) and an URBACT City Lab in Brussels (October 15-16).

Rising housing costs, demographic change and pressure on land are intensifying the housing crisis across many European cities and regions. In this context, the European Union is strengthening its action on housing, including through the recently launched EU Affordable Housing Plan. For urban planners, these developments are highly relevant: 

Housing is closely linked to social, environmental and economic priorities in cities, as well as to the no net land take objective (PlanningMatters 2025 theme)

  • Housing affordability in cities has a direct impact on urban sprawl and balanced territorial development
  • Urban planners play a key role in maximising what already exists, prioritising renovation and adaptive reuse instead of building demolition.
  • Bringing together urban planning agencies, public authorities and European institutions, the webinars will explore policy frameworks, land strategies, planning tools and mechanisms that highlight the role of spatial planning in responding to the housing crisis.

The first episode will welcome representatives from of the European Commission, who will present the objectives and main components of the EU Affordable Housing Plan.

Practical info

Stay tuned for the next episodes! 

Missed the first season? Watch all episodes on YouTube

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