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UNUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Housing and Land Management

COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT

PROGRAMME OF WORK

Please note, listed below are brief descriptions of each element of the Committee's Programme of Work which is revised annually at the Committee Session (September).

Country profiles on the housing sector 
Improvement of urban environmental performance
Land registration and land markets
 

Housing modernization and management

Country profiles on the housing sector

The housing sector has a critical role to play in ensuring the success of economic and social development in the UNECE region and the reform process in countries in transition. At the same time, the process of transition to a market economy has had a profound impact on housing policy implementation and management. This project represents a tool for Governments to analyse their housing policies, strategies, institutional and financial frameworks for the housing sector and to compare the progress made internationally. The country profile is a process-oriented exercise. At its core is an analytical study on the housing sector, drafted by independent international experts. It draws on the Committee's work on housing statistics. Recommendations for improving policies and practices are an essential part of the programme. It also aims to provide information to potential investors.

Housing statistics

More information on the country profile programme


Improvement of social cohesion and urban environmental performance

Cities and towns are starting points for promoting sustainable human settlements development. Numerous initiatives have already been launched in cities and towns to raise public awareness of the environmental impact of individual consumption behaviour, to promote environmentally sound goods, services and sustainable use of energy, water, raw materials and land by individuals and communities. The spatial plannig process focuses on a broad range of issues and factors including social, economic, environmental, financial cultural factors. It is important to develop effective democratic decision making and implementation process at the local level, as an integral part of national and regional development plannig, inter alia, in support to social cohesion.

Further information

Conference on Urban and Regional Research


Land registration and land markets

Proper land registration is crucial for security of tenure and property rights, effective housing policies and the promotion of market-oriented reforms in economies in transition, as well as in the context of European integration. The activity is aimed at providing assistance to countries in transition in reforming cadastre and land registration systems and sharing information and experience of modernizing land administration systems in the developed market economies through education and training, research and development, exchange of experience, transfer of technology, and standardization.

More information on the Working Party on Land Administration relates to its sessions, workshops and operational activities as well as other documentations such as guidelines and studies.


Housing modernization and management

This activity mainly aims to identify and provide tools to tackle problems related to the existing housing stock and its management. Housing systems are an important factors in saveguarding social cohesion in the UNECE countries. The activity also provides an opportunity to look at urban renewal policies and at the existing and emerging housing problems, especially regarding housing financing. As a result of privatization in countries in transition, the proportion of owneroccupied dwellings in multi-family housing has increased considerably. It is therefore important to establish property rights, define mixed ownership, and establish a legal and institutional framework for operating housing condominiums. This programme element also focuses on the basic mechanisms for social housing development.

More information on housing modernization and management, including social housing, housing finance, condominium management.