Hous-Es
Hous-Es has brought together a strong and varied partnership
representing both the new EU member states and those from
the EU 15 (benefiting or having benefited from URBAN initiatives
or Urban Pilot Projects) with the aim of examining together
the subject of Management and Renewal of Large Housing Areas. The network is characterised by a high degree of differentiation
not only in geographical location but also in the scale of urban
concentration and perspectives, involving 1 provincial authority,
3 capital cities, 1 urban agglomeration, plus city and district
authorities – as well as 4 important associate partners.
The intention was to focus on the policy issues and situations
affecting large housing estates and homogenous inner-city
housing areas with a view to identifying strategies which can
produce improved urban planning, architectural and general
living standards in such areas. The network placed an
important emphasis on the improvement of living conditions
in deprived housing areas and neighbourhoods.
In order to examine and share partner experience and
expertise Hous-Es instigated a series of working seminars
focussing on thematic aspects of the problem but always
referring back to a holistic point of departure. The seminar
topics are outlined below:
> Duisburg (Germany) – An introduction to integrated practices
> Milan (Italy) – The public realm
> Brindisi (Italy) – The physical dimension
> Gelderland (Netherlands) - Process
> Brno (Czech Republic) – Financing housing provision
> Rillieux-la-Pape (Grand Lyon, France) – The social context
> Csepel: Budapest and Dunaujvaros (Hungary) – Review
of partner experience and future perspectives…
The result of these exchanges (based on preparation
of case studies and papers, site visits, and partner debate)
has generated a common understanding of the issues
but also demonstrated a wide variety of experience among
the network members ranging from: the comprehensive and
often sophisticated approach to neighbourhood renewal with
housing as a key component, to; the application of targeted even
punctual actions in response to defined priorities; and the
appreciation of the scale and scope of ongoing difficulties
confronting many cities which is frequently context specific.