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Module 1: Housing Issues, Challenges and Strategies in Europe
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:25
Abstract
In Europe, the overburden of housing costs affect 10% of the population who spend more than 40% of their household disposable income on housing. As affordable housing has become the most pressing issue for most countries across the continent, the urgency in finding new strategies to overcome the housing crisis are at the forefront of the current housing debate.
Objective
In this module participants will not only learn about the housing challenges different European countries are facing, but will also have the opportunity to engage actively with relevant stakeholders and inhabitants, visit projects, and develop a critical understanding of the historical, socio-economic and political context of housing policies and strategies, with particular reference to the Swiss housing cooperative model.
Content
Housing may be considered as one of the most daunting challenges of urbanisation globally. It is estimated that the struggle to obtain adequate and affordable housing could affect at least 1.6 billion people globally within a decade. In Europe, the overburden of housing costs affect 10% of the population who spend more than 40% of their household disposable income on housing. As affordable housing has become the most pressing issue for most countries across the continent, the urgency in finding new strategies to overcome the housing crisis are at the forefront of the current housing debate. In a global context characterised by governmental withdrawal from the housing sector, the commodification of housing, and the inability of the private sector to cater to the needs of low-income people, housing cooperatives are being rediscovered as a third way in the provision of affordable housing. Identifying the opportunities and challenges of scaling up housing cooperatives in different socio-economic, political and cultural contexts is thus of pivotal importance when approaching housing issues. The Swiss housing cooperative model is widely renowned and has been advocated globally as best practices specially for its important role in the participatory provision of non-commodifiable housing, architectural innovation, and the development of socially inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods. In this module participants will not only learn about the housing challenges different European countries are facing, but will also have the opportunity to engage actively with relevant stakeholders and inhabitants, visit projects, and develop a critical understanding of the historical, socio-economic and political context of housing policies and strategies, with particular reference to the Swiss housing cooperative model. The module includes lectures targeting exclusively the MAS students to be held either at ETH or in the premises of collaborating partners and a series of public lectures.
Resources
Lecture Notes
A reader will be distributed at the beginning of the semester containing an overview of all lectures, the involved exercises, and required readings.
Literature
See semester reader.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Module 1: Housing Issues, Challenges and Strategies in Europe
No course on 22.10. (seminar week).
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
-
MAS in Housing (1 year full time course in English, starting every autumn semester. Further information on Lectures, workshops, individual and group tutorials and excursions organized in the framework of the four modules: Cultural, socio-economic, demographic and political aspects of housing and human settlements (M1); Adequate housing and neighbourhood development strategies (M2); Housing for migrants, refugees, and people displaced by disasters (M3); Housing research and evaluation methods (M4). Introduction to the MAS Housing: Room HIT H 13 (Date and Time will follow in due time). Presentation of MAS Thesis Proposals: Room HIT H 13 (Date and time will follow in due time).)