Developing sustainable housing and land-use strategies
Investigating how housing and spatial planning influence inequality, mobility, and urban change, using multi-scale, data-driven research to inform more inclusive, sustainable, and evidence-based territorial development strategies.
Housing, Spatial Planning, and Social Inequality
Our interdisciplinary team explores how housing and spatial planning shape inequality and opportunity across different communities and spaces. We bring together insights from individuals, companies and public authorities to examine issues at multiple spatial scales – from the level of the housing unit and land plot, through the neighbourhood and local context, up to the national and cross-border scales. This broad perspective offers valuable insights into land-use dynamics, ownership structures, housing markets, and the diversification of housing — including affordable housing supply and new rental housing forms. We also look at how these factors affect people’s lives: by shaping residential mobility, wellbeing, and the way neighbourhoods change, contributing to socio-spatial issues like segregation and gentrification.
Leveraging Evidence-Based Research for Societal Impact
To tackle these questions, our research is deeply evidence-based—we combine geospatial data, remote sensing and administrative records with surveys, focus groups, social-network analysis and interviews to get both a broad overview and detailed insights. Beyond traditional data and methods, we embrace innovation by experimenting with AI-driven tools. What sets us apart is our commitment to connecting rigorous research with societal impact. Through two national observatories on Territorial Development and Housing, as well as five local observatories, we actively support national and local stakeholders by delivering up-to-date indicators, insightful maps, analytical reports, and policy evaluations to guide decisions that foster more affordable and sustainable housing supply, land-use and local development strategies.
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