We are excited to announce the launch of the Horizon Europe project, ReHousIn, coordinated by MRI, which officially commenced on March 1st, 2024. We recently held our inaugural online kick-off meeting on March 18, 2024, marking the beginning of our collaborative efforts with the following partners:
- TU Wien,
- University of Vienna,
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,
- SciencesPo,
- Politecnico di Milano,
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences,
- University of Lodz,
- University College London,
- ETH Zürich,
- ICLEI Europe.
The primary objective of ReHousIn is to dissect the intricate mechanisms contributing to the (re)production of housing inequalities and their interconnected relationships. We aim to explore the collective impacts of contemporary crises, including environmental challenges and digital transformations, which have compounded housing disparities.
Despite the positive strides made by certain policy instruments in fostering inclusive urban communities, evidence suggests potential socio-spatial ramifications of initiatives promoting environmental sustainability. These include increased housing costs, ecological gentrification, and exacerbation of wealth disparities.
Moreover, the digital transition presents its own set of challenges, such as uneven access to digital services and the proliferation of housing-related digital platforms, which further contribute to housing inequalities.
In ReHousIn, we posit a central hypothesis that green and digital transition initiatives influence housing inequalities across various levels and domains, contingent upon governance structures and contextual factors. Our approach involves conducting qualitative analyses across nine countries in 27 case study areas (one large city, one medium and one small locality in each country) to comprehensively understand the relative impact of these initiatives.
By refraining from prioritising specific transition initiatives, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of their respective roles in shaping housing inequalities within diverse urban contexts. Ultimately, ReHousIn seeks to inform policy interventions that promote equitable housing outcomes amidst evolving environmental and digital landscapes.