How to Achieve Sustainable Housing? Insights from Six Cities in Finland and Germany

This Brief provides an integrated study of housing and climate policy at the local level. Drawing from an empirical research project across six cities in Finland and Germany, the book explores the degree of integration between housing and climate policy in local government, specifically focusing on the level of awareness of local politicians of the interdependency of the two policy areas. Using document analysis as well as extensive interviews with local politicians, the Brief explains which views local councillors hold about the responsibilities of their municipality in housing and climate policy, how the two fields influence each other and what councillors see as obstacles for joint decision making in both fields. The book looks at housing from a broader perspective, linking housing not only to the number of dwellings, zoning, or construction, but also to the environment, communities and transport. Offering policy advice on how to integrate these sectors and pursue sustainable housing from a holistic perspective, this Brief will be of use to researchers and policymakers interested in housing policy, climate policy, local politics, urban politics, and sustainability.