Resilience Starts at Home: Advancing Affordable, Low- Emission and Climate-Adapted Housing in the EU
25. June 15:30 - 16:45
With an estimated 85–95% of today’s buildings projected to still be standing in 2050, Europe’s existing housing stock must be at the heart of any strategy to meet the EU’s climate and energy targets and social needs. As Europe faces the dual crises of climate change and increasing cost of living, we see a widening affordable and sustainable housing gap, which brings a growing urgency to transform the way we design, finance, and regulate housing. This session tackles the urgent need for resilient, climate-adaptive, and affordable housing as a cornerstone of a just and sustainable transition.
Bringing together policymakers, housing policy experts, and researchers, the discussion will explore how to retrofit and future-proof Europe’s homes in ways that are equitable, efficient, affordable and climate-adapted. The session will also examine how EU-level initiatives—such as the Renovation Wave, the upcoming Affordable Housing Strategy and EU budget—can be leveraged to support local action and ensure that climate resilience does not come at the cost of affordability. Join us to explore bold, integrated housing policies that can deliver lasting value for people and planet.
Speakers
Researcher, Tecnalia
Julen Astudillo, Researcher, Tecnalia
Julen Astudillo is an architect and senior researcher at Tecnalia, specializing in building facades and envelopes. He has participated in numerous European research projects, coordinating the HEPHAESTUS project (cable robot systems for automated construction). He has been involved in BASAJAUN (sustainable wood construction for rural-urban links), OSIRYS (forest-based composites for facades), HIFIVENT (durable ventilated facades), and MeeFS (energy-efficient retrofit systems). Julen also contributed to FACOMP (polymeric nanocomposites for curtain walls). He is currently coordinating the AEGIR project, which aims to demonstrate scalable, non-intrusive renovation solutions for achieving nearly zero-energy buildings across various European climates. Additionally, he leads the AMALTEA project, focusing on advanced façade technologies for sustainable construction. He has published scientific papers on materials, facades, and energy performance, regularly speaks at international congresses.
Researcher, BPIE
Emily Bankert, Researcher, BPIE
Emily is a Researcher at BPIE (Buildings Performance Institute Europe) in Brussels where she co-leads work on climate adaptation in the built environment. Her focus lies in developing policy advice and facilitating stakeholder engagement to advance climate resilience, particularly by integrating adaptation into housing, building, and related finance policies.
She is also an expert in building-sector energy issues, with a strong interest in the intersection of energy, justice, health, and the adaptive capacity of buildings. Her approach is shaped by years of experience as a coordinator, facilitator, and event organiser in youth organisations and social movements.
Head of International Projects, Office of the Chief Architect, Barcelona City Council
Neda Kostandinovic, Head of International Projects, Office of the Chief Architect, Barcelona City Council
Neda Kostandinovic is an architect who graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade and holds a Master's degree from ETSAB-UPC Barcelona School of Architecture. Since 2010 she has been part of the urban strategy team and in charge of international tasks in Barcelona Regional, Urban Development Agency, and since 2016 she has been coordinating international projects and participation in city networks in the Office of the Chief Architect, Area of Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing, City of Barcelona.
Head of EU Affairs, Velux
Elisabeth Hoffmann, Head of EU Affairs, Velux
Elisabeth is Head of EU Affairs at VELUX, a global leader in roof windows, skylights, sun tunnels and related accessories. In her role she leads the EU advocacy and policy work of VELUX in Brussels, focusing on EU legislation on buildings, housing as well as sustainability and Single Market issues. She currently also chairs the Working Group for Communications of Efficient Buildings Europe and the Advocacy Working Group of the Active House Alliance. Elisabeth has nearly 15 years of experience in public affairs. Prior to joining VELUX, she was working at the Brussels office of the Public Affairs Agency APCO Worldwide for nearly ten years, heading up the Energy and Sustainability Practice. She also gained work experience at Germany Trade & Invest in Berlin and SolarPowerEurope.
Deputy Mayor, City of Rotterdam
Chantal Zeegers, Deputy Mayor, City of Rotterdam
Since June 2022, Chantal Zeegers has been working as Vice Mayor in the Municipality of Rotterdam. She is responsible for the Climate, Building and Housing portfolios. She is also a member of ICLEI’s European Regional Executive Committee.
Zeegers believes that urgent action is needed to make the transition to a more sustainable, resilient and socially just society. To meet the challenges brought by climate change, she believes that international cooperation and legislation are required to make the necessary next steps.
Moderator
Policy and Advocacy Lead, ICLEI Europe
Goksen Sahin, Policy and Advocacy Lead, ICLEI Europe
Goksen is ICLEI Europe's policy and advocacy lead, working in Brussels, Belgium.
She has extensive experience working in the environmental sector, having previously held roles as: Environmental Projects Coordinator at Agence Française de Développement; Project Manager at Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe; Programme Manager at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).