Housing:
Tackling the global housing crisis within
Smart City Expo World Congress 2026
GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADERS AND POLICYMAKERS ADDRESSING THE MOST CRITICAL QUESTIONS IN URBAN HOUSING
Housing is a core urban system that shapes competitiveness, social cohesion, talent attraction, and territorial balance. It is more than real estate: it is essential urban infrastructure. The future of cities depends not just on how much they build, but on how they plan, finance, manage, and evolve their residential models.
Explore real solutions transforming how housing is built
Learn from housing pioneers, government officials, and social cooperatives
Access premier networking with authorities shaping housing policy and urban strategy
THE GLOBAL STAGE FOR URBAN HOUSING STRATEGY
HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit is an international platform where governments, cities, investors, and developers converge to redefine urban housing, from planning and finance to construction and regulation.
Within the framework of Smart City Expo World Congress, HOWS is the space where urban strategy, capital, innovation, and regulation connect – with the singular objective of building more livable, affordable cities.
HOSTED BY:
ORGANIZED BY:
Highlights from Housing Discussions
Housing Land & Availability
Urban Densification & Mixed-Use Development
Affordable Housing
Global Housing Crisis
Rental Market Distortion
Housing Financialization
Public Housing Systems
Housing & Climate Transition
Neighbourhood Regeneration
The urban ecosystem in motion
ATTENDEES
CITIES
Join the Housing Program at the Smart City Expo 2026
KEY ISSUES AT THE CENTER OF THE DEBATE
Urban Planning & Land Policy
With a focus on: Housing Capacity, Spatial Planning, Densification, Land Banking, Mixed Use Developments, Urban Regeneration, Vulnerable Neighborhoods.
Housing Regulation
With a focus on: Housing Policies, Institutional Funds, Rent Regulations, Tax Incentives, Short-Term Rental Regulation, Gentrification, Inclusionary Zoning, Public-Private Partnerships.
Social and Affordable Housing
With a focus on: Affordability, Innovative Housing Models, Social Housing Policies, Subsidized Housing, Homelessness, Land Banking, Right to Adequate Housing.
Building Innovation
With a focus on: Digital Building Innovation, Modular Construction, Off-site Fabrication, Net Zero Carbon Construction, Nature-based Solutions, Auto-Construction.
Renovation, Retrofit & Reuse
With a focus on: Adaptive Architecture, Energy-Efficient Renovation, Public Housing Rehabilitation, Scalable Retrofit Solutions, Urban Regeneration, Gender Perspective Housing
Meet some of the experts who will share their insights
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Executive Director, UN-Habitat
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Mayor, City of Budapest, Hungary
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Chair of the Housing Advisory Board, European Commission
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Mayor, City of Atlanta, U.S.
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Former Mayor of Paris and GCoM Global Ambassador
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Director of Urban Planning and Design, C40 Cities
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Sustainable Building Envoy, Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, Netherlands
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Habitat Chief Secretary, Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, Colombia
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Mayor, City of Milan, Italy
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Head of Housing, Cities and Regions Department, Project Directorate, European Investment Bank
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Author and Reader in Architecture at the University of East London
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Mayor, City of Coimbra, Portugal
