The Expert Council of the International Association for Territorial Development convened to tackle one of the most urgent issues in contemporary urban planning: affordable housing for young people.
Valeria Marshalova, Chair of the Expert Council, opened the discussion by noting that affordable housing has emerged as a central theme for the Association this year, aligning closely with the global agenda, including the World Urban Forum. International experts, including Dr. Orhan Erkan from Turkey, Dr. Rajendra Kumar from India, and Maria Sinichich from Russia, Director of the Department for Integrated Territorial Development at the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation, shared their insights. Their presentations underscored that, despite national differences, the core challenges remain strikingly similar.
The meeting’s central message was clear: the current housing crisis is not primarily due to a shortage of construction but rather to barriers that hinder access.
Dr. Orhan Erkan emphasized that housing should be seen as a comprehensive system where the volume of new construction matters as much as the mechanisms for inclusion. He highlighted the need for legalization, digital cadastres, and data integration to create a transparent and manageable environment.
Maria Sinichich presented the Russian approach, discussing tools like preferential mortgages, rental housing programs, and individual construction, along with efforts to develop urban infrastructure and attract talent to the industry through international recruitment.
Dr. Rajendra Kumar focused on India’s rapidly growing rental market and temporary living formats, as well as flexible urban planning solutions. He also noted the persistent gap in housing accessibility for various social groups and the risks associated with inefficient government support mechanisms.
During the discussion, participants agreed that modern cities face common challenges such as labor shortages, uneven territorial development, and shifting lifestyles among young people who increasingly value mobility, flexibility, and temporary living options.
Vasil Mazitov, Head of the Association, outlined the upcoming international agenda, including events in Kazan, Baku, and Saransk, and underscored the importance of coordinating the expert community to develop cohesive solutions.
The meeting concluded that effective housing policy requires a systemic overhaul, shifting the focus from construction to creating an accessible, flexible, and adaptive environment that genuinely meets the needs of the new generation.