José María Bové takes part in the institutional panel at the REBUILD 2025 forum

From 23 to 25 April, the eighth edition of REBUILD 2025 was held at IFEMA Madrid, the reference forum for innovation in the building sector. This edition registered a growth of 21% compared to the previous year, consolidating its role as a key space for debate and transformation in the sector.

Austria, a guest country in this edition, became the epicentre of the most innovative proposals in sustainability, digitalisation and social welfare. The opening included the ribbon cutting on its pavilion and the presentation of sustainable solutions by nine Austrian companies, under the slogan “Made in Austria“. As Ambassador Enno Drofenik pointed out, 60% of Viennese live in publicly supported housing, which places Austria as a benchmark in social housing policies.

One of the highlights of the programme was the round table with the participation of José María Bové, Honorary Consul of Austria in Barcelona, who participated on Wednesday, 23 April with a speech entitled “When housing is the No. 1 concern.”. During his speech, Mr. Bové presented in depth the Viennese model of social housing, considered an international benchmark for its inclusive, sustainable and citizen-centred approach.

Institutional leaders Begoña Alfaro García (Government of Navarra), Álvaro González (City Council of Madrid), and Jorge Rodrigo Domínguez (Community of Madrid) agreed on the urgency of building homes more quickly, efficiently and sustainably. For his part, David Lucas, Secretary of State for Housing, anticipated that 2024 will set a record in social housing. With these perspectives, REBUILD 2025 reaffirmed itself as a key forum where architecture, technology and sustainability converge, with Austria as a guest country and voices like that of José María Bové contributing strategies to face the social and environmental challenges of the sector.