HouseEurope

The European Commission has decided to register the European citizens' initiative called HouseEurope, which, among other things, asks the Brussels executive body to support the renovation of existing buildings and the reuse of construction materials, the EU commission announced on Tuesday.

The "HouseEurope" - Strength in Renovation initiative aims at the recycling of existing buildings. According to the organisation, demolishing existing buildings is as outdated a practice as food waste, animal testing, the production of cheap and hastily made clothing items, or the use of single-use plastics.

The organisation asks the European Commission to propose legislation for the utilisation of existing buildings, among other things, by providing tax incentives for renovation work and the reuse of construction materials. They also request that the EU introduce fair rules for assessing the usability and risks of existing buildings and define new carbon emission values.

The initiators believe that the legislation would boost the renovation market and add new value to existing buildings. Their goal is to protect homes and public buildings, promote energy efficiency and resource savings, and preserve the "memories and stories retained by buildings".

European Citizens' Initiative

As the European citizens' initiative meets the formal requirements, the Brussels body has deemed it legally acceptable. The content of the proposal has not yet been examined by the EU commission at this stage.

The European citizens' initiative must not fall outside the European Commission's competence to propose a legal act, nor can it be manifestly abusive, frivolous, or vexatious, or contrary to the values of the European Union.

From the registration date, the organisers have six months to start collecting signatures.

If the European citizens' initiative receives one million statements of support within a year from at least seven different member states, the European Commission must respond. The Brussels body decides whether to take action in response to the initiative or not, and must justify its decision.

KÉK and HouseEurope

KÉK is a member of the HouseEurope! professional network, acting as a national organising institution with the role of coordinating the dissemination of the initiative's architectural and social messages, organising signature collection, and providing expert support in Hungary.

You can read more about the initiative on the HouseEurope! page.

You can sign the citizens' initiative HERE.

Source: HouseEurope!