How can social housing districts become vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods?

In this session, we will explore how art and culture, community, and digital innovation can shape urban regeneration across Europe. You will hear from leading cities that are driving fair and sustainable transition: from Matera’s (Italy) expertise in cultural placemaking, Elva’s (Estonia) e-governance for community empowerment, and Ermua’s (Spain) pioneering regeneration work in the Santa Ana neighbourhood.

We will present the integrated renovation approach that encapsulates all these social, environmental, and economic strategies — supported by digitalisation, creative industries, and local economic development. Other lighthouse districts pioneering innovative neighbourhood renewal will also be showcased.

By the end of the session, you will gain practical insights into how culture, community engagement, and an attention to the economic aspect can deliver better and inclusive outcomes.

Draft programme:

11h45 | Welcome – Joao Goncalves, Housing Europe
11h50 | Presentation of the DROP project methodology and overall outcomes – Silvia Urra Uriarte, Tecnalia
12h00 | Fostering neighbourhoods through culture and local economies
How to foster the neighbourhood from a socioeconomic and cultural perspective – Q&A

• drOp: Inspiring through culture (Carlo Feretti, Materahub, Matera peer-city)
• Ensuring financial sustainability (Riccardo Coletta, Agency for the Promotion of European Research & Dr. Paola Zerilli, Project Scientific Coordinator, University of York – SUPERSHINE project)
• Urban Housing and Neomutualism (Rossana Zaccaria, President of Legacoop Abitanti)

12h30 | Winning strategies for social cohesion in the neighbourhood – Q&A

• drOp: Resident involvement in Ermua (Marta Lekue, Municipality of Ermua)
• Citizen Labs (Graziella Roccella, Chief Research and Product Design Officer, Planet Smart City – ProLight project)

12h50 | Digital social strategies to engage with residents & Financial viability – Q&A

• drOp: From Apartment Association to Community – Efficient Tools and Opportunities (Jaanika Saar & Sirli Pippar, Municipality of Elva, Elva peer-city)
• Applications for citizen engagement in social housing in regeneration processes (Patricia Astorgano, Codema — Dublin’s Energy Agency)

13h10 | Closing remarks

The drOp Final conference is part of the Affordable Housing Days within the International Social Housing Festival 2025. Please register here.