Buildings, Reuse, Climate & Construction

The physical transformation of Europe’s housing stock sits at the intersection of the climate emergency and the affordability crisis. With the built environment responsible for a vast share of emissions, frameworks like the New European Bauhaus underscore the urgent need to build within planetary boundaries. This cluster explores how we can rethink our existing urban fabric rather than defaulting to new construction. It spans the adaptive reuse of obsolete assets, such as vacant offices and brownfield sites, alongside neighbourhood-scale regeneration that revitalises communities without displacing them. By embracing circular construction methods and innovative architectural typologies, the housing sector can turn neglected spaces into climate-resilient homes that serve both society and the environment.

Below, you will find a curated collection of resources and initiatives driving this transition. The knowledge section offers strategic insights into reclaiming vacant spaces, tackling office obsolescence, and navigating urban development programmes, including lessons from Germany’s shared housing models. You can explore the work of pioneering organisations such as Bauhaus Earth, Assemble, and 011h, who champion circularity and progressive design. The page highlights concrete projects that bring these concepts to life, from the cooperative ABZ Tower im Koch-Quartier to the grassroots regeneration of Can Batlló and Bajesdorp. Finally, a directory of upcoming events, including the Adaptable Building Conference and the Urban Future Festival, provides opportunities to connect with practitioners actively shaping the future of sustainable urban development.