The growing gap between housing supply and demand

CPC-CG Director Professor Jane Falkingham CBE, Vice President Engagement & International at the University of Southampton, attended the MIPIM Global Urban Festival in Cannes on 10 March. Representing the UK's Central South region, Professor Falkingham was a speaker at the Housing Matters! event, highlighting the urgent need to address housing challenges in an increasingly urbanised world.

Housing Matters! brings together investors, developers, local authorities, associations, and urban experts to explore the latest trends in supply and demand, solutions for affordable housing and new housing models, as well as to share visions for the innovative housing of tomorrow.

Professor Falkingham was a panellist in a session that focused on bridging the growing gap between housing supply and demand, shaped by population changes, regulatory pressures, and production cuts. Leading discussions on the importance of finding the right housing solutions, Professor Falkingham talked about the challenges presented by growing and ageing populations.

Speaking about her involvement at the event, Professor Falkingham said: "As a Professor of Demography and Social Policy working on ageing, it's really important for me to be involved in these discussions.

"It's a really exciting time for the Central South over the next few years as we move towards a devolvement deal, but we have to make sure we capitalise on that investment and move towards positive growth and regeneration of the area. Understanding what type of housing we need and how it can be adapted for the future is really important, particularly in the context of an ageing population."

Other expert panellists included Joonas Lemström, Head of Nrep Finland; Mahdi Mokrane, Co-Head of Fund Management at PATRIZIA Property Investment Managers LLP; Alexandra Notay, Chair of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission and Director of Notay Advisory Ltd; and Jason Bordainick, Co-Founder and CEO of Hudson Valley Property Group, LLC. The panel explored varied global market challenges, noting that while some areas like Finland are facing oversupply, others are struggling to meet growing demand.



For more information on the Housing Matters! conference and future events, visit the MIPIM website.

Posted 11/03/2025 11:31