This workshop aims to present the results of CIDOB’s Global Cities report “STR regulation and post-pandemic strategies to reintroduce STRs into the residential housing market”
Rising housing prices have over recent years made access to rental properties more difficult in a range of European cities. The growth of online platforms offering short-term rentals (STRs) such as Airbnb has had a harmful impact on the availability of long-term rentals. In this context, cities face a number of challenges when trying to regulate STRs due to their lack of competencies, capacities and resources, as well as the existence of outdated national and EU regulatory frameworks vis-à-vis the digital economy. City governments have particular difficulty compelling digital platforms to share data, verifying whether they are offering apartments with or without legal permission, and properly taxing properties that benefit from STR arrangements.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting drastic fall in economic activity and collapse of tourism have changed this scenario. In this context, cities like Barcelona are seeing between 60% and 70% of STRs being advertised as medium-term rentals (up to 11 months). In light of the new situation, this workshop aims to present the results of CIDOB’s Global Cities report STR regulation and post-pandemic strategies to reintroduce STRs into the residential housing market. The report explores the main post-COVID policy measures adopted in cities to transform and consolidate STRs into long-term rentals. It also identifies the main STR strategies in European cities, as well as the key elements of the new European regulatory framework, the Digital Services Act, which may open a window of opportunity to better regulate and control STRs.
The event is organised by CIDOB's Global Cities Programme with the support of Barcelona City Council. It will bring together researchers, city representatives and city networks to discuss the study’s main findings.
Eva Garcia-Chueca, Senior Research Fellow, Global Cities Programme, CIDOB
Mariona Segú, Researcher at Institut National d’Études Demographiques, INED
Carles Mascarell, Political Scientist, former advisor at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, CEMR
Mark Boekwijt, EU Representative, City of Amsterdam
Debate facilitated by: Eva Garcia-Chueca, Senior Research Fellow, Global Cities Programme, CIDOB
Amsterdam City Council
Mark Boekwijt, EU Representative
Albert Eefting, Senior Policy Advisor
Barcelona City Council
Joan Batlle, Responsible Technology & Digital Rights
Marta Puchal, International Relations Department
Monica Cadena, Policy Officer, Barcelona Activa
Xavier Silvestre, Law Policy Advisor
Bologna City Council
Manuela Bonora, Policy Advisor on Economy and Tourism
Firenze City Council
Alessandra Barbieri, General Director on European Projects and Smart City
Madrid City Council
Angélica Coidurassa, Department Director on Inspectorate Reports
Porto City Council
Manuela Rezende, Policy Advisor on Economy, Tourism and Commerce
Maria Oliveiras, Policy Advisor on Economy, Tourism and Commerce
Ricardo Valente, Head Department of Tourism and Commerce
València City Council
María José Vivó, Director of theInternational Relations Department
Viena City Council
Wolfgang Hassler, Department for Economic Affairs, Labour and Statistics
Eurocities
Alejandra Olejnik, Policy Advisor
Clàudia Fernández, Economic Development Policy
Lodewijk Noordzij, Policy Officer Digital