HOWS Barcelona Summit Tackles Global Housing Crisis with Mayors, UN-Habitat Chief
Event summary
- HOWS Barcelona – Housing World Summit runs November 3–5, 2026, alongside Smart City Expo World Congress.
- Over 100 speakers including UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and housing policy expert Anna Minton.
- Mayors from Milan, Budapest, Athens, and Atlanta to discuss global housing policies at the Housing Mayors' Roundtable.
- Five key topics covered: Urban Planning & Land Policy, Housing Regulation, Social and Affordable Housing, Building Innovation, and Renovation, Retrofit & Reuse.
The big picture
The summit underscores the growing urgency of affordable housing as a global crisis, with 300 million people unsheltered and 3 billion in inadequate housing. It reflects a shift toward cross-border collaboration among cities and institutions to address land policy, regulation, and innovative housing solutions. The event's timing alongside Smart City Expo World Congress highlights the intersection of urban development and technology in solving housing challenges.
What we're watching
- Policy Alignment
- How global mayors' commitments translate into actionable housing policies.
- Market Regulation
- Whether new rental market regulations can curb speculation and tourism-driven housing strains.
- Innovation Adoption
- The pace at which cooperative housing models and industrialized construction gain traction.
Related topics