Prague: 'The best housing policy is one that enables people to live where economic opportunities exist,' Filip Endal, Deputy Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic, stated during the panel discussion titled 'Environmentally Sustainable and Resilient Human Settlements' held within the framework of WUF13, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Endal highlighted that for decades, people lived near their workplaces, aligning housing, jobs, and infrastructure. However, the trend shifted after deindustrialization, prompting many to move from smaller regions to large cities, particularly Prague. This migration led to a housing supply shortage, causing housing prices in Prague to nearly triple over the past decade while rents have approximately doubled. The issue extends beyond a social problem, affecting labor mobility and economic competitiveness.

al proposed several interventions to address these challenges. He emphasized increasing housing supply in areas with existing demand, as no housing policy can succeed without construction. He advocated linking housing policy with economic policy, suggesting that housing should be developed where jobs, transport, industrial facilities, and public services are available.He also argued that housing investment should be viewed as an investment in economic growth, noting that one euro invested in construction can generate up to three euros in economic activity and create new jobs. Endal further advised leveraging both public and private financing, with public resources attracting rather than replacing private investment. Lastly, he stressed the importance of expanding the role of cities and municipalities, as local planning is crucial for housing projects to materialize.