TRACK 13: HOUSING AND SHELTER

Housing Justice; Planning for affordable housing; New models of living; Homelessness; Shelter for refugees and vulnerable populations

Chairs:

• Elif Akay, Istanbul Technical University (ITU)
• Massimo Briccocoli, Politecnico di Milano
• Dilek Darby, Istanbul University
• Wanlin Huang, Utrecht University

The examination of the current housing crisis from various perspectives highlights the significant challenges that middle and low-income groups, as well as migrants and vulnerable populations, face in securing housing in many desirable cities and regions. Meanwhile, other areas are experiencing decline and marginalization. Research from various global locations shows that access issues have unique local characteristics. However, in nearly all situations, these remain the primary challenge for both central and local authorities.

This Track will focus on discussing the possibilities and limitations of overcoming the housing crisis through planning from the perspective of transformative actions. We may therefore ask: What is the capacity and power of planning to address the current housing crisis? Is it possible to analyze the housing crisis holistically within planning theory? How should we discuss the relationship between planning policy and housing policy, considering their social, economic, and spatial impacts? What planning processes and implementation tools have been developed to address housing problems?

Additionally, what collaborations have occurred between local governments, community-based initiatives, and NGOs in planning implementations and practices? How can we focus on local needs analysis while pursuing local-scale solutions amid transnational investments and financialization? When housing investments are made to meet local needs, can the profits from these investments be redirected towards public interest goals through planning policies and tools? 

In conjunction with strategies aimed at increasing new housing supply, what types of interventions can be applied to existing housing areas? What social impacts do planning decisions and their implementations have on different social groups? Lastly, what planning tools can be introduced to mitigate negative social impacts, such as displacement?

We welcome contributions  that will explore these matters in both theoretical and practical ways; a focus on local experiences and practices at the local scale will be of particular value.

Key words: Housing, Affordability, Inequalities, Financialisation, Housing Policy, Planning Policy