HOUSING WORLD SUMMIT
Housing is critical urban infrastructure — the foundation of how people live and thrive. Today, 300M+ people have no shelter.
3B live in inadequate housing. And a global affordability crisis keeps growing.
This year, Barcelona takes the lead in shaping the housing response.
3/11
5/11
BARCELONA
(01) HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit
The international platform for urban housing strategy
HOWS Barcelona is an international platform, promoted and hosted by the Barcelona City Council, where governments, cities, investors, and developers converge to redefine urban housing. Over three days, every dimension of the housing challenge is addressed, from planning and finance to construction and regulation.
This is not a real estate fair. This is not a political forum. It is the space where urban strategy, capital, innovation, and regulation connect – with the singular objective of building more livable, resilient, and dynamic cities.
HOWS does not merely debate trends. It activates projects, articulates alliances, and brings together those who can make the future real.
Joining forces to place housing at the heart of the urban agenda.
(02) who attends
Built for decision-makers
Governments & Cities
Industry & Innovation
Investors & Funds
NGOs & Institutions
(03)
PROGRAM
Three days.
World-class experts.
All dimensions of urban housing.
01
Urban Planning & Land Policy
Rethinking how cities allocate land, plan density, and align spatial development with housing demand.
02
Housing Regulation
Legal frameworks, regulatory reform, and the balance between market dynamism and public interest.
03
Social and Affordable Housing
Models, financing mechanisms, and governance structures enabling equitable access to decent housing.
04
Building Innovation
Industrialization, modular construction, and emerging technologies reshaping how we build at scale.
05
Renovation, Retrofit & Reuse
Urban regeneration, energy retrofit, and adaptive reuse of existing building stock.
CONFERENCE
Insights in action
A curated program of keynotes, panels, and expert-led sessions bringing together global thought leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to address the most critical questions in urban housing.
- World-class speakers and international experts
- In-depth sessions on each thematic pillar
- Case studies and comparative policy analysis
NETWORKING
Connections that lead to impact
A dedicated space designed to facilitate high-value connections between decision-makers, investors, developers, and public institutions — structured for meaningful exchanges, not casual encounters.
- Roundtables with pre-selected stakeholder groups
- Project and partnership activation sessions
- Facilitated introductions across sectors
(03) SPEAKERS LINEUP
Meet the experts headlining this year's program
Giuseppe Sala
Andre Dickens
Anne Hidalgo
Anne Hidalgo
Gergely Karácsony
Gergely Karácsony
Hélène Chartier
Hélène Chartier
Robert Dijksterhuis
Robert Dijksterhuis
Tanguy Desrousseaux
Tanguy Desrousseaux
Vanessa Alexandra Velasco Bernal
Vanessa Alexandra Velasco Bernal
Eamon Ryan
Eamon Ryan
THERE IS NO SMART CITY WITHOUT HOUSING THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE
HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit is held within the framework of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world’s leading event on urban innovation, bringing together cities, institutions, and industry leaders to build a better urban future.
A powerful collaboration between the global reach of Smart City Expo and the focused, high-level dialogue the housing crisis demands — creating a unique space where urban innovation and housing strategy meet.
HOWS Barcelona | Housing World Summit
HOMES FOR PEOPLE. CITIES FOR LIFE.
HELP MAKE HOUSING WORK FOR ALL
NOVEMBER 3 – 5, 2026
BARCELONA
Get the latest news and secure your place at the international summit addressing the housing crisis.
(01) HOSTED BY
(02) ORGANIZED BY
(03) WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF
(04) SUPPORTED BY
Català
Castellano
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