Approaches to reuse vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: An increased number of local authorities systematically identify and quantify vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces for reuse in neighbourhoods [1] in a context-sensitive way to address local community [1] challenges and needs. Increase in renovated, renatured, or converted spaces that address local community challenges and needs. Scope: Europe’s housing needs, inefficient use of the existing building stock, environmental commitments, and the EU’s goal of “no net land take” by 2050 make a compelling case for reusing the significant number of existing spaces, including buildings and infrastructure, that are vacant, obsolete or underutilised. In Europe, there are, for instance, an estimated 19,000 km² of underutilised brownfield land and 300 km² of vacant or underutilised office space [3] . The reuse of vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces, following circularity [1] and sufficiency principles, can help address community challenges and needs thanks to their typical proximity and connection to essential infrastructure and services. While vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces are already being renovated, renatured or converted, this happens typically at individual scale or for temporary reuse. A systematic and context-sensitive approach is required that maps vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces with potential for reuse and involves local stakeholders in the reuse process to address local community challenges and needs in the long term. It is also important to understand common reasons for the vacancy, obsolescence or underutilisation of spaces and challenges to their reuse, and to recognise that not all types of spaces are suitable for reuse. Factors can include, for example, building or infrastructure condition, location, and spatial or structural limitations; zoning regulations; legal barriers; lack of data; or lack of resources, funds, or incentives for property owners and public authorities to renovate spaces. In addition, certain vacant spaces might already fulfil important ecological or social functions by providing refuge to natural species as well as non-typical community lifestyles. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: Develop a systematic and context-sensitive approach for vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces, including buildings or infrastructures. The approach must cover at least the following: Analysis of common drivers of the vacancy, obsolescence or underutilisation of spaces. Identification and prioritisation of vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces in the targeted neighbourhoods. Assessment of local community challenges and needs, of the identified spaces being reused to address those challenges and needs, and of potential side-effects or challenges of their reuse (such as overcrowding in the neighbourhood, loss or degradation of green areas, displacement of inhabitants, affordability, potential impacts on gentrification, or regulatory, legal, or funding challenges). In cases where the spaces already fulfil important ecological or social functions: Identification of measures to strengthen the spaces’ governance and oversight together with the community, while strengthening local regulatory frameworks, where relevant. Use of co-creation [1] methods to engage community stakeholders in the process. Identification of funding and financing mechanisms to support the reuse of the spaces. Validate the approach in at least three neighbourhoods in urban, peri-urban and rural areas located in different Member States and/or Associated Countries. Assess the social (e.g. accessibility, inclusion, social cohesion), cultural (e.g. aesthetics [6] ), environmental (e.g. more sufficient resource use, waste reduction, biodiversity, climate resilience), and economic (e.g. economies of scale, efficiency) value of the approach. Provide recommendations to inform the adaptation of the approach in different neighbourhood contexts. Proposals are expected to follow a participatory [1] and transdisciplinary [1] approach through the integration of different actors and disciplines. This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH) [1] disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions, as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learnings, as well as to contribute to impact assessment. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] Edmond de Rothschild, ’THE €4 TRILLION OPPORTUNITY: REPURPOSING EUROPE’S BROWNFIELD SITES AND OFFICES’, 2025, https://www.edmond-de-rothschild.com/media/vj4lhpez/250211-pr-urban-regeneration-ginkgo-en.pdf [4] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [5] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition of ”beautiful” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

Revitalising neighbourhoods for communities to come together is about ensuring the right conditions. Innovative funding and new business models can provide the necessary framework and incentives to rethink how solutions and projects are designed, planned, executed, and invested in for the structural and systemic transformation of neighbourhoods [1] in line with New European Bauhaus (NEB) values [1] and working principles [1] . Demonstrating the socioeconomic, environmental, financial, aesthetic [4] and cultural value creation of NEB-aligned solutions and projects can incentivise stakeholders in the built environment [1] and its related ecosystems (e.g. construction [1] , banking, insurance, social economy, and real estate) to invest and participate in the circular [1] , inclusive [1] , affordable, accessible, sustainable [1] and culturally significant revitalisation of neighbourhoods. New business and innovative funding models are thus crucial to encourage long-term and life-cycle thinking in the built environment while enhancing its long-term, sustainable competitiveness. This Destination will address three of the Commission political guidelines 2024-2029, namely: A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature This Destination supports the NEB Facility’s overarching aim to drive the implementation of the European Green Deal on the ground. Its focus on circular economy principles, biodiversity, responsible and sufficient use of natural resources, and sustainable competitiveness contributes to the Clean Industrial Deal [10] , EU Circular Economy Action Plan [11] , new Circular Economy Act [12] , Zero Pollution Action Plan [13] , EU Biodiversity Strategy [14] , and European Climate Adaptation Plan [15] . This Destination also seeks to engage local stakeholders and the local social economy in neighbourhood transformation while addressing community [1] challenges and needs as well as better understanding and leveraging appropriate market dynamics. It thereby offers potential contributions to the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy [17] . By focusing on the reuse of the existing building stock, the provision of key social infrastructures [1] and services, and addressing homelessness [1] at neighbourhood level, it also contributes to the EU Renovation Wave [20] and potentially contributes to the European Affordable Housing Plan [21] . In work programme 2026-2027, this Destination contributes to the following overarching expected impacts set out in the Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027: 8. Realising the full potential of cultural heritage, arts, and cultural and creative sectors 9. Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability 15. Achieving global leadership in climate-neutral, circular and digitized industrial and digital value chains In addition, proposals for topics under this Destination should set out a credible pathway to contributing to the development of innovative funding and new business models for the transformation of neighbourhoods, and more specifically to one or several of the following impacts: Better understanding of the contextual local conditions that drive or hinder sustainable neighbourhood developments and the uptake of NEB-aligned solutions and projects, such as capital and real estate market dynamics and socioeconomic, cultural, demographic, and climatic changes. Anticipation and consideration of future needs, functions and inhabitants (including more-than-human [1] perspectives) of neighbourhoods and their developments towards the future. Demonstrated socioeconomic, financial, environmental, cultural, and aesthetic value of NEB-aligned solutions and projects driving the revitalisation of the built environment in neighbourhoods. Increased investment in the transformation of neighbourhoods in line with NEB through alternative, innovative, and community-based investment and ownership approaches [23] . Community and place-based approaches that adopt a systemic perspective and use co-creation [1] approaches with diverse local stakeholders, including marginalised or underrepresented groups or those in a vulnerable situation, and contribute to addressing pressing community challenges and needs such as homelessness and housing. ⁠Circular manufacturing, renovation, and reuse approaches in the built environment contribute to the sufficient use of resources and space. When possible and relevant, actions are strongly recommended to collaborate with and build on the results of past and ongoing research projects, including regional, national or European funded projects, to ensure consistency and continuity in research. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [4] See definition of "beautiful” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [5] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [10] European Commission, ’Clean Industrial Deal’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en [11] European Commission, ’Circular Economy Action Plan’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en [12] Under development and with expected adoption by the end of 2025. [13] European Commission, ’Zero Pollution Action Plan’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/zero-pollution-action-plan_en [14] European Commission, ’Biodiversity Strategy 2030’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en [15] European Commission, ’EU Adaptation Strategy’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/adaptation-climate-change/eu-adaptation-strategy_en [16] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [17] European Commission, ’EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/jobs-and-economy/eu-startup-and-scaleup-strategy_en [18] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [19] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [20] European Commission, ’Renovation Wave’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-performance-buildings/renovation-wave_en [21] European Commission, ’European Affordable Housing Plan’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14670-European-Affordable-Housing-Plan_en [22] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [23] See the NEB Investment Guidelines for more information. European Commission, ’NEB Investment Guidelines’, New European Bauhaus , accessed 5 August 2025, https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/tools-and-resources/neb-investment-guidelines_en . Sections of particular relevance for applicants to consider include: 1. Introduction; 2. Mapping the NEB; 4.4 Project risks; 5. Making the NEB case; and 6. Conclusions. [24] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

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