NTU at the DG INTPA Conference: Addressing Housing Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South

19th of February, 2025

On 5 February 2025, NTU participated in the DG INTPA Conference on "Housing Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South," held in Brussels, Belgium. Organised by International Partnerships DG INTPA in collaboration with Cities Alliance, the event brought together key experts and stakeholders to discuss the pressing challenges of rapid urbanisation and the increasing demand for affordable housing worldwide.

As the global population is projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, with nearly 60% living in urban areas, an estimated 3 billion people will require new housing and urban infrastructure. Addressing the challenge of adequate, secure, and affordable housing is essential for fostering inclusive economic growth, reducing urban poverty, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Cities Alliance Training on Affordable Housing and Slum Upgrading

During the conference, Cities Alliance hosted a comprehensive training session on Affordable Housing and Slum Upgrading, led by Judy Baker. The training addressed the pressing challenges and emerging trends in urban housing, particularly in rapidly urbanising regions across Asia and Africa.

The training highlighted the increasing demand for affordable housing, with projections indicating that 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. Key challenges discussed included inaccessible mortgage financing, weak land administration, low purchasing power, and high construction costs. The session also emphasized the importance of addressing slum conditions, where 25% of the world’s urban population currently lives, with an additional 2 billion people expected to live in slums over the next 30 years.

Key Discussions and Insights

The discussions focused on lessons learned from past housing interventions and explored innovative approaches to making housing more inclusive and sustainable. The event also highlighted the European Commission’s increasing engagement in housing policies, with a dedicated Commissioner now addressing Europe's housing crisis.

The conference featured presentations from distinguished speakers, including:

Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of Unit F4/Sustainable Transport and Urban Development, European Commission
Julian Baskin, Principal Urban Adviser, Cities Alliance
Judy Baker, Senior Urban Advisor at Cities Alliance and Former Global Lead for Urban Poverty and Housing at the World Bank
Stephen Seidel, Senior Director - Global Partnerships at Habitat for Humanity International

The training underscored the transformative impact of investments in housing and neighborhoods on poverty reduction. Safe and secure housing contributes to 50% of household wealth, enhances productivity, and improves health and education outcomes. Additionally, strengthening property rights has been shown to increase housing renovations, as seen in countries like Peru and Argentina.

Several emerging trends were discussed, including:

Innovative construction methods: such as 3D printing and prefabricated modular units.
Green construction: with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
Rental housing: as an alternative to homeownership, particularly in areas where ownership is unattainable.
Technology-driven solutions: leveraging fintech and proptech to reduce costs and improve access to housing.

The training also covered decades of experience in slum upgrading, emphasizing the importance of community participation, social investments, and resilience building. Key lessons included:

In-situ upgrading: preferred when possible, though relocation may be necessary in high-risk areas.
Community involvement: critical for the success and sustainability of upgrading projects.
Flexible standards: for infrastructure upgrading to maximize coverage and allow site-specific solutions.

Looking ahead, the training highlighted the need for scaling up city-wide and national programs, building resilience, and leveraging technology for mapping informal settlements and monitoring progress. New approaches, such as community-led land assembly and public-private partnerships (PPPs), were also discussed as potential solutions for urban regeneration.

The session revisited the Sites and Services approach, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to rapid urbanisation. This approach, which involves providing small serviced plots for incremental housing, has seen success in cities like Chennai and Mumbai, where thriving mixed-income neighborhoods have developed over time.

NTU’s Contribution

NTU actively follows global urban development trends and contributes to solutions addressing housing and infrastructure challenges in developing countries. The insights gained from this conference reinforce NTU’s commitment to supporting sustainable urban planning, resilient housing initiatives, and capacity-building efforts through our international projects.

Key insights from the conference that align with NTU’s mission include:

Integrated Urban Planning: The importance of aligning housing projects with broader urban development plans to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience.
Community-Centric Approaches: Emphasising the role of community participation in the design, implementation, and maintenance of housing projects to ensure they meet local needs and are culturally appropriate.
Innovative Financing Models: Exploring alternative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs) and community-led land assembly, to make housing projects more financially viable and scalable.
Technology and Data-Driven Solutions: Leveraging advancements in technology, such as GIS mapping, fintech, and proptech, to improve the efficiency and accessibility of housing projects.
Climate-Resilient Housing: Incorporating green construction practices and climate-proofing measures to ensure housing projects are environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change.

Looking Ahead

With a growing emphasis on inclusive urban development and international cooperation, NTU remains dedicated to engaging in meaningful dialogues and fostering partnerships that contribute to sustainable housing solutions. We look forward to further collaborations with organisations such as Cities Alliance and Habitat for Humanity International to drive impactful initiatives.