Barcelona will host the Housing World Summit this November, focusing on urban and affordable housing. The event brings together over 100 speakers and major institutions. It aims to address global challenges in housing policy and innovation.
Barcelona is set to become a focal point for the international housing debate this autumn, as the city council has initiated a major new congress dedicated to urban and affordable housing. The Housing World Summit (HOWS Barcelona) will take place from November 3 to 5 at the Gran Via exhibition centre, running alongside the Smart City Expo World Congress. The event is organised by Fira de Barcelona and aims to address the pressing challenges of housing supply, affordability, and innovation in cities worldwide.
HOWS Barcelona will feature a three-day agenda packed with 20 sessions and more than 100 speakers from across the globe. The summit’s programme is structured around five core themes: urban planning and land policies to boost housing supply, strategies for expanding public and affordable housing, innovation in housing production, and the rehabilitation of existing stock. For the first time, the Fòrum d’Habitatge i Rehabilitació de Barcelona (FHAR), previously held as a separate event, will be integrated into the HOWS schedule, consolidating expertise and discussion under one roof.
The congress is backed by a broad coalition of public and institutional partners, including the Government of Catalonia, Spain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, the European Union, and key organisations such as the Área Metropolitana de Barcelona, the European Investment Bank, C40 Cities, ONU Hábitat, and Metrópolis. This support underscores the growing recognition of housing as a critical issue for cities facing rapid urbanisation and rising costs.
Barcelona’s commitment to urban transformation has been evident in recent years, with large-scale projects reshaping the city’s infrastructure and housing landscape. For example, the ongoing redevelopment of the Montjuïc fairgrounds, which includes new protected homes and modern venues, reflects the city’s broader strategy to balance growth with social needs. More details on these urban renewal efforts can be found in coverage of the Montjuïc fairgrounds overhaul and new housing initiatives.
The Smart City Expo World Congress, which will host the housing summit, is recognised as the leading international event for urban innovation. Last year, it attracted nearly 27,000 attendees, with representatives from 997 cities and 138 countries. By aligning the Housing World Summit with this global platform, Barcelona aims to position itself at the forefront of policy and practical solutions for the future of urban living.
In the context of Spain’s ongoing housing challenges, the summit’s focus on public policy, innovation, and rehabilitation is particularly timely. Rising demand, limited supply, and affordability pressures have made housing a central issue for residents and policymakers alike. The integration of local and international perspectives at HOWS Barcelona is expected to generate new ideas and partnerships, with potential implications for housing strategies across Spain and beyond.
