POLIS publishes letter on integration of transport and sustainability in EU strategy for housing construction
As the European Commission (EC) prepares its new European Strategy for Housing Construction, POLIS has published a letter urging policymakers to embed the principles of integration, sustainability, and regional cohesion at the heart of the initiative.
POLIS welcomes the EC’s intention to strengthen the housing sector, recognising its central role not only in economic growth but also in achieving climate neutrality, infrastructure resilience, and spatial equity.
However, as the leading European network of cities and regions advancing transport innovation, we stress that housing construction cannot be addressed in isolation. A truly effective housing construction strategy must align housing with transport, urban planning, and environmental goals.
The letter outlines six key principles that should underpin the forthcoming strategy:
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Acknowledge the interdependence between construction and transport infrastructure;
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Promote sustainable urban development through the co-design of buildings and transport infrastructure;
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Prioritise decarbonised, circular, and resilient construction methods supported by sustainable and smart urban freight logistics;
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Empower cities and regions to deliver integrated projects and public works;
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Ensure compliance with the EU’s legal acquis concerning mobility;
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Facilitate new mobility solutions, as envisaged in the New European Urban Mobility Framework, such as shared mobility and innovative logistics models.
Drawing on experience from local governance, EU research and innovation projects, and its network’s thematic working groups, POLIS provides a series of practical recommendations to operationalise these principles. These include:
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Facilitating sustainable access to construction inputs by reducing the environmental, social, and logistical impacts of material and equipment transport;
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Expanding access to finance to support the uptake of clean construction vehicles, combining regulatory requirements with incentives;
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Modernising building permit procedures to properly account for mobility impacts during and after construction, including comprehensive logistics plans and stakeholder coordination;
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Reconsidering costly and high-impact underground parking in favour of neighbourhood parking hubs and shared mobility options;
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Addressing the compliance gap for non-resident construction vehicles to ensure fair compliance with local regulations;
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Promoting digital integration within the construction ecosystem to enhance sustainability, productivity, and alignment with urban mobility systems.
The European Strategy for Housing Construction is a timely and necessary initiative to advance a cross-sectoral approach that connects housing with transport, land use, digitalisation, and environmental objectives. The organisation calls on policymakers to ensure that the strategy empowers local and regional authorities, supports integrated planning frameworks, and fosters innovation in sustainable construction practices.
Ultimately, a forward-looking housing strategy should not only focus on building homes but on creating connected, resilient, and liveable communities that reflect Europe’s transition towards sustainable, inclusive, and active mobility.
Read the full letter here.
