Lisbon to Host Summit on Housing and Construction Industrialization
Key figures from Portugal's construction industry, government, and corporate sectors will convene in Lisbon on September 24th to address the nation's housing crisis at the 'Connect to Build' conference. Organized by Grupo Casais, the event will take place at the Centro Cultural de Belém and is centered on the theme “Affordable Housing and Industrialization: Scaling Solutions with Purpose.” The conference aims to foster dialogue and present innovative solutions to the country's significant housing deficit.
The event will bring together specialists and institutional representatives to discuss the complex challenges facing Portugal's housing market, which include supply shortages, escalating costs, bureaucratic delays in planning, and a lack of skilled labor. These factors have made access to quality housing a pressing national issue. The conference will explore how the industrialization of construction can provide a strategic response to these problems.
A central topic of discussion will be the adoption of modern construction methods such as modular solutions, off-site building, and digitalization. These techniques are promoted as means to accelerate construction timelines, minimize material waste, and improve project predictability, all while upholding high standards of quality and sustainability. Experts suggest that industrialization is a key step toward democratizing access to housing by making it more efficient and affordable.
The conference agenda includes two main roundtable discussions. The first, titled “How to respond to the housing emergency with scale and quality?”, will feature Patrícia Viana, a partner at the law firm Abreu Advogados, and Laia Andreu, Country Manager of IKEA Portugal. A significant moment during this session will be the formal signing of a strategic partnership protocol between Grupo Casais and IKEA. This collaboration is focused on developing accessible, sustainable, and dignified housing solutions by leveraging innovation.
The second roundtable, “Industrializing to democratize: the role of innovation in affordable housing,” will examine how new technologies and building methods can revolutionize the sector. This panel will explore ways to enhance efficiency and sustainability to meet societal needs. The discussions will be moderated by journalist Paulo Ferreira of Observador, the event's media partner.
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The conference will conclude with a closing address from Miguel Pinto Luz, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing. His presence highlights the government's recognition of the strategic importance of the topic and its commitment to addressing the housing emergency. The ministry's involvement signals a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors to find scalable and effective solutions.
Grupo Casais, a major player in the Portuguese construction sector with a turnover of €836 million in 2024 and a presence in 18 countries, is spearheading the initiative. The company has been a proponent of innovative, sustainable construction methods, including the CREE building system and other off-site techniques. António Carlos Rodrigues, CEO of Grupo Casais, stated that the 'Connect to Build' platform is designed to promote knowledge sharing and inspire action on a local and global scale.
The event is free to attend, but registration is mandatory. It represents a key opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the challenges and opportunities in Portugal's housing sector and to learn about the pioneering solutions that could shape the future of construction in the country.
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