{"id":230919,"date":"2026-06-12T18:29:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T16:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=230919"},"modified":"2026-06-12T21:04:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:04:27","slug":"the-unresolved-dilemma-building-housing-without-sacrificing-quality-of-life-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/the-unresolved-dilemma-building-housing-without-sacrificing-quality-of-life-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"The unresolved dilemma: building housing without sacrificing quality of life, environment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brussels, Jun 12 (EFE).- The European Union<\/strong> recognizes that housing is the foundation of its citizens\u2019 lives and that cracks are beginning to form. This problem is compounded by environmental and quality-of-life challenges, forcing the bloc to solve a complex dilemma: How can more housing be built without sacrificing well-being and the environment?<\/strong><\/p>\n

During Friday\u2019s sessions at the New European Bauhaus (NEB) festival<\/a>, being held this week in Brussels<\/a>, experts and policymakers agreed on the need to create homes that are more livable, affordable to purchase, energy-efficient and sustainable, resilient and safe, while also meeting high standards of quality of life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot talk about housing without talking about resilience and sustainability,\u201d said European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall<\/strong>, adding that this presents an opportunity to \u201crethink how we design, how we build and how we live in our homes and neighborhoods.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we create homes that are efficient in their use of energy and water, climate-adapted and community-centered, we do much more than reduce carbon emissions. We lower long-term costs for citizens and reduce pressure on public services, thereby safeguarding our well-being,\u201d the commissioner said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Aware that recycling and reusing materials minimize waste generated during construction, and noting that \u201conly 1% of construction materials are reused,\u201d<\/strong> Roswall highlighted the \u201cmany innovative projects\u201d presented at the festival that offer solutions based on the principles of the circular economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe time will come when these ideas take root in cities, towns and streets,\u201d she predicted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome is more than four walls\u201d<\/h3>\n

Eamon Ryan, chair of the European Commission\u2019s Housing Advisory Board,<\/strong> which was established a year ago, urged participants to look beyond the design and construction of new housing and consider \u201chow to create it within denser and at the same time beautiful communities,\u201d while preserving quality of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe definition of home is not limited to four walls. It is the neighborhood. It is the sense of connection with the people around me,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cIn my view, (the solution) begins by moving away from a car-dominated system, from building highways through cities and destroying the essence of the urban environment. We have seen that this does not work.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He therefore called for a broader understanding of well-being, not only in terms of housing affordability but also in relation to everything surrounding it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cost of your home is always influenced by how much food costs,\u201d he said. However, other factors such as commuting times, air pollution, and noise pollution should be added to the equation, he added<\/p>\n

\"BRUSSELS, <\/a>
BRUSSELS, 12\/06\/2026.- Project exhibition during the third edition of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) festival in Brussels, Belgium. EFE\/Laia Ros. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"BRUSSELS, <\/a>
BRUSSELS, 12\/06\/2026.- European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswall speaks during the New European Bauhaus (NEB) festival in Brussels, Belgium, on June 12, 2026. EFE\/Laia Ros. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"BRUSSELS, <\/a>
BRUSSELS, 12\/06\/2026.- Luca Ambrosi, winner of the NEB Young Designer Trophy held as part of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) festival, poses with European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall in Brussels, Belgium, on June 12, 2026. EFE\/Laia Ros. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Trophy Competition for Young Designers<\/h3>\n

Following these discussions, Commissioner Roswall took part in an event at the New European Bauhaus festival to recognise the winner of the NEB Young Designer Trophy<\/strong>, which will be presented in October to the creators of the most innovative projects.<\/p>\n

The winning designer, Italian Luca Ambrosi<\/strong>, created a design inspired by the Northern Lights, incorporating their colors and organic forms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted my design, my trophy, to point upward with elegance, representing progress toward the future,\u201d Ambrosi told EFE. \u201cThe idea was that, through these values, we can move together toward a better future for everyone.\u201d EFE<\/p>\n