The second edition of the event ‘NEB in Regions and Cities,’ held on September 29 and 30 in Brussels, brought together more than 400 participants, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda in its role as the National Contact Point for the New European Bauhaus in Spain. Political authorities, entrepreneurs, and NEB enthusiasts, as well as the finalists of the NEB Prizes 2025 and the beneficiaries of the Boost for Small Municipalities call, gathered at the USquare building in the Belgian capital.
This meeting provided a space for dialogue and collaboration, an ideal occasion to assess how cohesion policy supports the growth of this European Commission initiative focused on sustainability, beauty, and inclusion. The event addressed urban development, ecological transition, and the housing situation in Europe through exemplary initiatives, innovative projects, and best practices.
The context itself fostered conversations, as EU Square — now a place celebrating research and cultural heritage preservation — originated from the regeneration project of a former military barracks. Over two intensive days, the latest local, regional, and national strategies to achieve NEB objectives were discussed. The program included presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops that brought together National Contact Points (NCPs) and representatives from both the public and private sectors.
This diversity of profiles encouraged the exchange of different perspectives on urban planning, funding for cutting-edge proposals, and adapting New Bauhaus principles to the legislative frameworks of each country. Among the shared experiences, Spain’s participation was led by the City Council of Fuenlabrada (Madrid), which presented its SHARE project. This project consists of rehabilitating the old facilities of the San Esteban School in the municipality to give them a second life as intergenerational co-living housing with affordable rents for seniors and young people.
Architectural reuse towards accessible housing solutions, which combats the loneliness of the first vulnerable group, also represents a commitment to energy efficiency and, above all, the circular economy. It also symbolizes a space for reflection on the challenges Europe faces in making cities more livable, resilient, and promoting well-being. Likewise, this is reflected in the initiatives recognized by the European Commission in the NEB Prizes 2025.
In fact, the event on Tuesday, September 30 concluded precisely with the award ceremony for these prizes. It was a symbolic and meaningful moment that applauded the work of multidisciplinary teams across Europe who are contributing to building more sustainable, inclusive, beautiful, and socially sensitive environments. Among around twenty awardees, there was a Spanish proposal: the Superilles Barcelona project, in the “Reconnecting with Nature” category of the Champions track.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning the municipalities of Lorquí, in Murcia, and Beizama, in Gipuzkoa, as beneficiaries of the European Commission’s first Boost for Small Municipalities program, aimed at towns with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants. All will receive €30,000 and significant support for the international dissemination of their NEB strategies for urban regeneration and improving the quality of life in built environments.
