Some of the most densely populated and economically competitive regions of the Eurozone suffer from a scarcity of developable land.

Europe is characterised by a dense population and highly urbanised regions, such as Belgium, which on average has 370 inhabitants per square kilometer¹. 

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These characteristics are accentuated by a trend towards a greater concentration of population and economic activities in the major cities, giving rise to land competition and planning issues². The economic benefits of “good” densification are increasingly acknowledged by urban planners, with a focus on cohesive and well-connected mixed-used developments – reflecting lifestyle and employment trends being driven by transportation and environmental considerations ^3/4 .

¹ Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review (2007) Issue 3: Smart Brownfield Redevelopment for the 21st Century

² CBRE (2019) EMEA Real Estate Market Outlook 2019
³ Urban Land Institute (2015) - Density: Drivers, Dividends and Debates 4. PwC (2018) Emerging Trend in Real Estate – Reshaping the Future