Storie

Generating shared knowledge on rent regulation 

Housing rights associations face a paradox: abundant academic research on rent regulation exists, yet practitioners rarely have the time or resources to critically engage with it. Meanwhile, associations develop innovative local approaches and activist methodologies that remain largely invisible in academic literature.

This project bridges that gap. Bringing together researchers from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the Université de Lausanne (UNIL) and Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) with housing rights associations from Brussels, Lausanne and Marseille, it builds shared knowledge between academic expertise and field experience. Through a two-day workshop hosted at the OpenLab.brussels (ULB), participants co-produce a critical analysis of common misconceptions about rent control — grounded in both scientific evidence and the lived reality of advocacy work. The outcome is a publicly accessible summary note and annotated bibliography, designed to strengthen associations' capacity for political advocacy on housing rights.

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Main Beneficiaries & Social Impact

Main Beneficiaries

The project targets housing rights advocates, community workers and researchers active on rent regulation issues.

Participants are drawn from associations and universities across Belgium, Switzerland and France. However, a public discussion is organised to enlarge the debate and include more participants from different stakeholders (NGOs, administrations mostly).

Social Impact

Participants gain a critical, evidence-based understanding of rent regulation that directly feeds into their advocacy work. The workshop builds lasting connections between associations and researchers across three countries. The outputs — a summary note and annotated bibliography — give associations concrete tools for political action and public communication.  

 Core Methodology

Academics and housing rights practitioners challenge common misconceptions about rent regulation together, drawing on both scientific literature and field experience. Outputs are co-produced by all participants. The workshop is complemented by a public evening discussion open to all.

Events in the Project

Event Name

Date(s)

Location

Description (purpose, audience)

Seminar

16-17/03/2026     

OpenLab.brussels (ULB, Usquare, Brussels)

Expert presentations and group discussions on common misconceptions about rent regulation (Day 1)

 

Collective writing session to co-produce a summary note and annotated bibliography based on the previous day's discussions. (Day 2)

Public evening discussion

16/03/2026

Pianocktail, rue Haute,  304 1000 Brussels

Open public event bringing together academics and practitioners to collectively challenge misconceptions about rent regulation from a tenants' perspective. Up to 50 participants.

Partners

Partner Name

Type

Bio

ULB

Academic

 

UNIL

Academic

 

AMU

Academic

 

Réseau Bruxellois pour le droit à l'Habitat

Non-academic

The Rassemblement Bruxellois pour le Droit à l'Habitat (RBDH) is a bilingual umbrella organisation of around sixty associations which, each in their own field, advocate for the right to housing and work towards access to quality, affordable homes.

Asloca – Association des locataires (Vaud, Suisse)

Non-academic

The association defends tenants’ rights through legal support, advocacy and public communication

Collectif du 5 novembre

Non-academic

A citizen collective based in the Noailles neighbourhood of Marseille, mobilising around housing rights and conditions in the context of a major building collapse in 2018.

Coordination