3/11

5/11

BARCELONA

The global stage for urban housing strategy

Housing is critical urban infrastructure — the foundation of how people live and thrive. Today, 300M+ people have no shelter. 3B live in inadequate housing. And a global affordability crisis keeps growing.

This year, Barcelona takes the lead in shaping the housing response.

(01) HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit

The international platform for urban housing strategy

HOWS Barcelona is an international platform, promoted and hosted by the Barcelona City Council, where governments, cities, investors, and developers converge to redefine urban housing. Over three days, every dimension of the housing challenge is addressed, from planning and finance to construction and regulation.

This is not a real estate fair. This is not a political forum. It is the space where urban strategy, capital, innovation, and regulation connect – with the singular objective of building more livable, resilient, and dynamic cities.

HOWS does not merely debate trends. It activates projects, articulates alliances, and brings together those who can make the future real.

About us

Joining forces to place housing at the heart of the urban agenda.

(02) who attends

Built for decision-makers

Governments & Cities

National and local authorities shaping housing policy and urban strategy. The decision-makers who define the rules of the game.

Industry & Innovation

Technology providers, constructors, and innovators transforming how housing is built.

Investors & Funds

Institutional capital seeking sustainable, long-term residential exposure.

NGOs & Institutions

Associations, foundations, NGOs, and social cooperatives working on housing, well-being, and social inclusion.

(03)

PROGRAM

Three days.
World-class experts. All dimensions of urban housing.

Urban Planning & Land Policy

Rethinking how cities allocate land, plan density, and align spatial development with housing demand.

Housing Regulation

Legal frameworks, regulatory reform, and the balance between market dynamism and public interest.

Social and Affordable Housing

Models, financing mechanisms, and governance structures enabling equitable access to decent housing.

Building Innovation

Industrialization, modular construction, and emerging technologies reshaping how we build at scale.

Renovation, Retrofit & Reuse

Urban regeneration, energy retrofit, and adaptive reuse of existing building stock.

CONFERENCE

Insights in action

A curated program of keynotes, panels, and expert-led sessions bringing together global thought leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to address the most critical questions in urban housing.

NETWORKING

Connections that lead to impact

A dedicated space designed to facilitate high-value connections between decision-makers, investors, developers, and public institutions — structured for meaningful exchanges, not casual encounters.

(03) SPEAKERS LINEUP

Meet the experts headlining this year's program

Anacláudia Rossbach

Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Anna Minton

Author and Reader in Architecture at the University of East London

Matthew Baldwin

Head of Housing Task Force, European Commission

Carme Arcarazo

Spokesperson, Sindicat de Llogateres

Tanguy Desrousseaux

Head of Housing, Cities and Regions Department, Project Directorate, European Investment Bank

Robert Dijksterhuis

Sustainable Building Envoy, Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, Netherlands

Belén López

General Secretary, CCOO

Hélène Chartier

Director of Urban Planning and Design, C40 Cities

Vanessa Alexandra Velasco Bernal

Habitat Chief Secretary, Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, Colombia

Jordi Mas

General Director of Housing, Government of Catalonia

Julie Schneider

Director, Housing and Revitalization, City of Detroit

Xavier Vilajoana

President, APCE Spain

Juha Kaakinen

Former CEO, Y-Foundation (Finland Housing First Model)

Clotilde Tarditi

Director, Real Estate Strategy and Housing, City of Montreal

Josep Antoni Martínez Zaplana

President, Gremi de la Construcció de Barcelona

Javier Burón

Managing Director, Nasuvinsa

(4) SITE VISITS

Experience one of Barcelona’s key housing developments

Join a guided tour of Marina del Prat Vermell, one of Barcelona’s largest urban regeneration projects, and discover Illa Acer, a landmark public housing development that exemplifies the city’s commitment to expanding affordable housing.

Through this visit, participants will gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering affordable housing at scale.

Tours will take place on November 3 and 5.

Participation is exclusively open to registered attendees of HOWS Barcelona or Smart City Expo World Congress.

THERE IS NO SMART CITY WITHOUT HOUSING THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE

HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit is held within the framework of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world’s leading event on urban innovation, bringing together cities, institutions, and industry leaders to build a better urban future.

A powerful collaboration between the global reach of Smart City Expo and the focused, high-level dialogue the housing crisis demands — creating a unique space where urban innovation and housing strategy meet.

About SCEWC

HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit