RESH – Regional effects of housing shortage in urban areas (ESPON Project)
Housing shortages in urban areas have become a pressing issue across Europe, driven by growing population numbers and the continued attractiveness of cities as economic, cultural and social hubs. The supply of housing in urban areas has not been able to keep up with demand. This research project therefore examines how housing shortages have implications that extend beyond city cores to surrounding areas.
The project was commissioned by Swiss Federal Offices, with the aim to learn how other European countries are tackling this challenge. Accordingly, we investigate the regional effects of housing shortages in four European cities, together with three European partners. The four case studies will be selected to ensure comparability with Switzerland’s largest cities and to provide opportunities for Switzerland to learn from best practices.
To better understand the regional repercussions of housing shortages in the selected cities, the project investigates how housing shortages have influenced residential patterns, socio-economic dynamics, and the attractiveness of small- and medium-sized towns in the urban area over the past decade. Key questions include where displaced urban residents relocate, which socio-demographic groups find housing in the core urban area and who moves to the surroundings. The study also evaluates the economic and mobility consequences of these shifts, such as changing commuting patterns and evolving roles for small towns and rural centers. It integrates insights into how trends like remote work have reshaped housing and mobility preferences.
The research follows a mixed-methods approach, combining a regional statistical analysis (based on data from official statistics and web scraping), and a qualitative analysis of the governance context, the case study specific challenges and policy responses. A participatory process with Swiss stakeholders that runs parallel to the project ensures that the learnings from the project are directly relevant to Swiss policy making.