Challenges of alpine housing markets: patterns, policies and practices

Research on Alpine housing markets has traditionally focused on holiday apartments, touristification, and secondary homes, while topics like affordability, housing production, commodification, and access to housing have been more prominent in urban contexts. However, Alpine settlements, ranging from urban agglomerations in valley floors to tourist hubs and remote villages, face unique housing vulnerabilities. These are amplified by regional challenges such as limited building land, issues of proximity and distance, disparities between growth and decline, the impact of tourism, and natural hazards intensified by climate change. Housing markets in Alpine regions are also shaped by distinct actor constellations, which differ significantly from urban centers. National housing policies often fail to account for these unique characteristics, further influencing housing markets in specific ways. This session invites diverse perspectives on Alpine housing markets, exploring geographic and scalar differences, including variations in legislation, settlement sizes, topographies, and levels of observation (local, regional, national). Contributions may include empirical research (quantitative or qualitative), policy reflections, or insights from practitioners. In addition to identifying challenges, the session aims to exchange solutions and foster discussions on strategies to address housing issues in Alpine regions, contributing to the development of future housing policies tailored to the Alpine context.