1st European Assembly for a Just Building Transition

MAPPING THE ROOM
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The Assembly was intentionally designed as an open, collaborative space rather than a formal conference. 25 Participants came together to share local struggles, political contexts and ongoing initiatives. Participants where members from organisations and initiatives based and active in PORTUGAL, NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA, SPAIN, FRANCE, POLAND, GREECE, AUSTRIA, SWEDEN, BELGIUM, GERMANY. 

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‍FOCUS

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Discussions focused on identifying shared challenges and political questions across contexts. Several common themes emerged, including the need to decentre profit in the housing and building sector, to prioritise adaptive reuse over demolition, and to increase transparency in ownership and decision-making structures.

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>> (RE-)CONNECT EACH OTHER AND EXISTING INITIATIVES

>> SHARING LOCAL STRUGGLES AND POLITICAL CONTEXTS

>> IDENTIFYING COMMON THEMES AND NEEDS

>> EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES FOR JOINT ACTION

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Beyond content, the Assembly also helped build trust and identify the desire for continued exchange. Key themes emerging from th discussion included:

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>> DECENTRING PROFIT IN THE HOUSING AND BUILDING SECTOR 

>> FRAMING HOUSING AS A RIGHT

>> PRIORITISING ADAPTIVE REUSE OVER DEMOLITION

>> TRANSPARENCY IN OWNERSHIP & DECISION-MAKING STRUCTURES

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As a result, working groups were initiated to carry the process forward and prepare an in-person follow-up Assembly #2.