Transferring knowledge and experience between Member States
Diversity, be it language, culture or history, is one of the European Union's greatest strengths and assets. Yet this same diversity can also break up when attempts are made to unify the Member States under a single policy. Housing policy specialists from the Hungary-based Metropolitan Research Institute (MRI) examined this problem in depth during the RESTATE project. What they wanted to learn was whether or not best practices identified in one Member State could be effectively implemented in another, different Member State. RESTATE was concerned with the deteriorating status of the massive housing settlements erected in cities throughout Europe following the Second World War. Analysing data from case studies of 29 estates in 16 different cities, the MRI found that knowledge and policy are indeed transferable. One factor in favour of transferability is that many European cities have such housing and this housing has reached a critical age. Prompt renovation is necessary from a physical standpoint, but it is also crucial for maintaining social harmony. MRI forecasts a trend in knowledge transfer from the older Member States to the newer EU members from Eastern and Central Europe, which are just now coming to terms with these housing issues. Such housing is also more prevalent in these countries. The knowledge acquired during RESTATE will be useful to policy-makers, housing managers, as well as other local stakeholders.