FINAL REPORT – CAPSTONE PROJECT: Mapping Green Transition Initiatives and Housing Inequalities: A Double-Scale Approach between France and Europe

Abstract

This capstone project explores the relationship between green transition initiatives and housing inequalities, adopting a comparative, double-scale approach between France and Europe. The research investigates how environmental sustainability goals—such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting energy-efficient housing, and implementing climate adaptation measures—intersect with issues of housing affordability, accessibility, and social equity. It highlights the risk that certain green policies, if not carefully designed, may exacerbate existing inequalities by increasing housing costs or displacing vulnerable populations. The study combines an extensive literature review and policy analysis with qualitative fieldwork, including interviews and site visits in Paris, Milan, London, Orléans, and Sens. At the French scale, the report analyses national strategies and local pilot projects to understand how policies are translated into practice at the municipal level. At the European scale, it compares governance frameworks, policy instruments, and collaborative networks in order to identify patterns, best practices, and context-specific challenges. Key findings show that while the green transition and housing justice share common objectives in fostering livable, inclusive, and sustainable cities, their integration is often fragmented. The project identifies enabling factors for stronger policy alignment, such as multi-level governance, cross-sector collaboration, community participation, and inclusive financing mechanisms. Conversely, it points to barriers such as insufficient regulatory coordination, market pressures, and the lack of targeted support for low-income households in sustainability-oriented urban renewal programs. The report concludes with policy recommendations aimed at aligning environmental and social objectives, proposing frameworks for integrating green transition strategies with equitable housing policies across different governance levels. These recommendations emphasise stakeholder engagement, data-driven planning, and context-sensitive implementation to ensure that sustainability transitions contribute to reducing—rather than reinforcing—housing inequalities.