Transatlantic event Europe and the Americas THEME: URBAN LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Context:

The issue of providing affordable housing in urban areas is a complex one that involves a variety of factors, including land availability and cost, zoning regulations, construction costs, and financing.

The aim of this session is to enable a transatlantic (Americas and Europe) dialogue on the subject, by examining exemplar cases in Europe and the US with a critical reflection from government officials operating in both continents.

Much has been written about land value capture tools and tax incentives mechanisms to gain developers’ contributions in the form of housing units. The focus here will be more on the supply of urban land and how this can be achieved. We will particularly examine cases that:

1. Increase the supply of land, such as rezoning underutilized land or converting abandoned buildings into residential spaces. (José Téllez,  SostreCivic, Spain)
2. Create community land trusts: Community land trusts are non-profit organizations that purchase and hold land in trust for the benefit of the community. This can help ensure that the land is used for affordable housing and can also provide long-term stability for residents. (John Emmeus Davis –CLT Innovation)

Event timeline: 1h 30’

5’ Welcome and introduction: Intro to the theme, importance of the topic and organizations collaborating (Claudia Murray Henley Business School, University of Reading)

10’ Reflections on land and affordable housing (Semida Munteanu, Lincoln Institute for Land Policy)

5’ Panel presentation: Introduction to panel members (Henk Bouwman -Metrex)

30’ =15’ presentation each Sostre Civic and CLT Innovation.

5’ Experts responses introduction to panel (Fiona Littlejohn Carrizo  -CEPAL)

21’ = 7’ each metropolitan/regional authority (3) in LAC:

• Cristina Gomez Jurado Director of Urban Operations, Municipality of Quito, Ecuador.
• Erik Solano, Ex president National Institute of Housing (INVU), Costa Rica.
• Michaela Kauer, Director, Brussels Liaison Office, City of Vienna

7’ ECLAC/CEPAL Comments and reflections (Diego Aulestia Head, Human Settlements Unit)

5’ Closing remarks -highlight opportunities for future interaction (Luis Vergara-Universidad de La Frontera)

2’ Thanks to all panellist, translators and farewell to all participants (Stephen Gallagher-Metrex)

Organisers:

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL)

METREX Housing Expert Group

Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO), Chile

Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, US

Sostre Civic (Spain)

Centre for Community Land Trust Innovation (International)

ID meeting/ID de reunión: 826 5008 8380
Access Code/ Código de acceso: 725354