Transdisciplinarity for Affordable and Sustainable Housing

Overview of the Resource

The book Transdisciplinarity for Affordable and Sustainable Housing is a scholarly publication edited by Leandro Madrazo and produced by Edicions La Salle in collaboration with Universitat Ramon Llull. Authors include Leandro Madrazo, Ashraf Salama, Marta Peris, José Toral, Darinka Czischke, Sara Brysch, Kath Scanlon, and Mahmoud Alsaeed. The work originates from the RE‑DWELL Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Innovative Training Network (2020‑2024), funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme (grant No 956082). It presents a comprehensive, peer‑reviewed synthesis of research, education, and community engagement on affordable and sustainable housing across Europe.

Scope and Structure

The volume is organized into six parts, covering: (1) contemporary challenges in affordable and sustainable housing; (2) conceptual foundations of transdisciplinarity; (3) the RE‑DWELL research framework; (4) interdisciplinary collaborations on policy, participation, and learning; (5) community‑engaged research and co‑creation; and (6) integration of academia and practice. Each part contains multiple chapters authored by experts, providing case studies, methodological insights, and reflections on practice.

Key Findings on Affordability

• Europe faces a persistent shortage of affordable housing, with demand far exceeding supply in major cities.
• Rigid planning systems, land scarcity, and financial market dynamics limit new construction, leading to waiting lists for social housing and increased reliance on the private rented sector.
• Policy analysis highlights the need for coordinated EU‑level action, including rent controls, subsidies, and public‑private partnerships, to improve supply and maintain long‑term affordability.
• The RE‑DWELL network identified 75 institutions, 1,400 students, and 180 faculty members as contributors to research and training on housing affordability.

Sustainability Insights

• Housing accounts for roughly 20 % of EU greenhouse‑gas emissions (2022 data).
• Energy‑efficient retrofitting of existing stock is essential, given that new construction represents only a small fraction of annual housing output.
• Case studies from Spain, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands illustrate successful use of ESG finance, social‑housing upgrades, and community‑led energy solutions.
• The book emphasizes that sustainable housing must integrate environmental performance with social equity; otherwise, “green” buildings risk becoming inaccessible to low‑income households.

Transdisciplinary Approach

• Transdisciplinarity is defined as a problem‑oriented collaboration among architecture, urban planning, economics, sociology, policy analysis, and stakeholder knowledge.
• The RE‑DWELL framework links three domains: Design‑Planning‑Building, Community Participation, and Policy‑Financing.
• Co‑production and co‑design are presented as core methods, positioning residents as active contributors throughout design, construction, and governance.
• The network’s research produced 15 early‑stage researcher projects, a shared vocabulary, a case library, and a challenges repository to support interdisciplinary knowledge building.

Data and Metrics Presented

• DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18680334; ISBN: 979‑13‑990029‑3‑5.
• Publication date: March 2026 (first edition).
• PDF size: 26.1 MB (digital access via the provided link).
• Database submission recorded on 19 March 2026; website submission confirmed as “Yes”.
• The book includes extensive tables of contents, references, and appendices, such as a round‑table discussion on transdisciplinary research for housing.

Policy Context and European Initiatives

• The RE‑DWELL project (2020‑2024) is part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, illustrating European commitment to integrated housing solutions.
• EU policy frameworks referenced include the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Affordable Housing Plan (December 2025), and the New Urban Agenda (2017), all emphasizing affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing.
• National examples cited: Vienna’s high proportion of social housing, Berlin’s rent‑control measures, and the UK’s social‑value assessments in housing projects.

Practical Implications for Stakeholders

• Architects and planners are encouraged to adopt co‑design tools, participatory workshops, and iterative feedback loops to align design with community needs.
• Policymakers are advised to align planning regulations with affordability targets, incentivize retrofits, and ensure that sustainability criteria do not unintentionally raise costs for vulnerable groups.
• Financial institutions are presented with models for ESG‑linked funding, secondments, and public‑private partnerships that support both affordability and climate goals.

Conclusion for the Pan‑European Audience

The volume provides a rigorously researched, evidence‑based roadmap for delivering affordable and sustainable housing across Europe. By integrating transdisciplinary theory with concrete case studies, policy analyses, and methodological tools, it offers practitioners, academics, and policymakers a unified reference to address the intertwined challenges of cost, climate, and social equity in the European housing sector.