European Network for a Just Building Transition

Architects for Future Germany has been working on establishing a European coordination structure for a European Network for a just building transition. It is understood as an open, evolving process shaped by its participants.

Foto: Axel Just

Strengthening a European Network for a Just Building Transition: Supporting existing initiatives through coordination, exchange and shared resources

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CONNECTING MOVEMENTS AND INITIATIVES ACROSS EUROPE

Rather than launching a new organisation or branded network, this European Network focuses on reinforcing relationships that already exist, creating spaces for exchange, and supporting collective learning and action across borders. The following page documents an ongoing process of strengthening and connecting existing IATIVES, MOVEMENTS and ACTORS WORKING TOWARDS A JUST BUILDING TRANSITION ACROSS EUROPE.‍

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‍ROLE OF ARCHITECTS FOR FUTURE GERMANY

Architects for Future Germany supports this process through its EUROPEAN COORDINATION role, which was established in 2025. The aim is to use available resources to enable transnational collaboration, facilitate regular exchanges, and lower barriers to participation.

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‍CONTINUITY

Long before this coordination role was created, Architects for Future has been connected to international struggles and initiatives for a socially and ecologically just built environment. These connections have taken shape through campaigns, workshops, exchanges and shared political debates. Since May 2025, this work has been taken to another level by creating dedicated spaces for European exchange and collaboration, most visibly through the European Assemblies for a Just Building Transition #1 & #2.

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‍Why a European Network?

Across Europe, STRUGGLES around HOUSING, CLIMATE JUSTICE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT are interconnected. Yet they often remain fragmented by national borders, political frameworks and unequal access to resources. Many initiatives are working on similar questions: rising housing costs, demolition-driven development, resource-intensive construction practices, and intransparent ownership structures. At the same time, the political, social and economic conditions under which these struggles take place differ widely, and opportunities for sustained European exchange remain limited.

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‍What we are building.

Strengthening European connections allows EXPERIENCES, STRATEGIES and LESSONS LEARNED to be shared beyond national debates. It creates space to learn from one another, identify common ground and develop narratives that can resonate at a European scale without erasing local specificities. In a context where key decisions affecting housing, construction and climate policy are increasingly shaped at the European level, European coordination becomes a political necessity. Rather than replacing existing structures, it helps amplify ongoing work, support cross-border solidarity and connect local struggles to broader political processes and strenghten grasssroots Initiatives.‍

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CONNECTED INITIATIVES ACROSS EUROPE

These connections already exist in practice. Through the European Assemblies, initiatives and projects from across Europe have come together to share their work, strategies and challenges, highlighting both the diversity of struggles and the strong potential for cooperation across contexts. The following is a selection of initiatives and projects that have contributed to the European Assemblies and the ongoing exchange via working groups which emerged from the European Assemblies. The selection remains open and will be expanded over time.

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‍European Assemblies for a Just Building Transition

The European coordination work has so far taken shape through two European Assemblies: an online Assembly in July 2025 and a subsequent in-person Assembly in Frankfurt am Main. Further European Assemblies and formats are planned and will continue to shape this open, evolving process.

European Assemblies for a Just Building Transition #1 & #2.

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‍How to get involved

The European Network is open to anyone committed to a just building transition.

Feel free to get in touch via >>>>> NETWORK@ARCHITECTS4FUTURE.DE if you want to: ‍