Closing the gap between social and environmental goals in the housing sector
On 7 April 2025, the first ReHousIn Policy Lab in Norway took place in person at Kulturhuset in Oslo. Organised by researchers from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), the event brought together 16 participants from academia, municipalities, NGOs, and the housing sector. The lab aimed to foster dialogue between researchers and practitioners on the intersection of green transition policies and housing inequalities, as part of the broader ReHousIn project funded under Horizon Europe.
The workshop offered a space for critical reflection on how environmental policies—namely densification, energy retrofitting, and nature-based solutions—interact with housing inequalities. Participants engaged in group discussions across three thematic areas, focusing on challenges, existing policy gaps, and potential pathways toward more inclusive planning and housing policies.
Discussions highlighted common tensions: market-led densification limiting affordability, green amenities increasing exclusion through gentrification, and energy retrofitting schemes that tend to favour wealthier households. Participants also stressed the need for improved national coordination, more inclusive governance structures, and targeted support mechanisms—particularly for tenants and smaller municipalities.
Resources shared during the event included findings from the ReHousIn project, as well as presentations by Roberta Cucca and Rebecca Cavicchia.
Publishing date: