Israel: EU urges Israel to end demolition of Palestinian housing

EU diplomats with the European External Action Service (EEAS) on Saturday called for Israel to halt the demolition of Palestinian houses in the occupied West Bank after more than 100 Palestinians were left homeless by demolitions on February 2.

"In the past weeks there have been a number of developments in Area C of the West Bank, which risk undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and driving the parties yet further apart," the EEAS said in a statement.

"This is particularly concerning both because of the extent of the demolitions and also the number of vulnerable individuals affected, including children who need support," the statement noted.

The EEAS reported that "EU-funded structures" were also targeted by demolitions conducted by Israeli forces, saying they were built to provide "humanitarian support to most vulnerable people."

The diplomatic service reiterated the "EU's firm opposition to Israel's settlement policy" and actions taken in this context, including demolitions and confiscation, evictions, forced transfers or restrictions of movement and access, in line with conclusions made by EU foreign ministers on January 18.

"We call on the Israeli authorities to reserve the decision taken and to halt further demolitions," the statement added.

Read more: EU urges Israel to end demolition of Palestinian housing | News | DW.COM | 06.02.2016

The Netherlands: Inside Almere: the Dutch city that's pioneering alternative housing - by Thomas Feary

While custom-build and self-build housing cannot single-handedly solve the UK’s housing crisis, they do  offer an opportunity to throw the market open to far greater competition.

Both types of housing are economically sustainable models, yet in Britain we still lag far behind our northern European counterparts when it comes to alternative housing.

One source of inspiration is the Dutch city of Almere. Located in the province of Flevoland, Netherlands,

Almere is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe and has a history of pioneering social planning. Over the past few years, it has embarked on a hugely ambitious plan to turn the housing market on its head, challenging the status quo of volume house builders controlling provision.

Read more: - by Thomas FearyInside Almere: the Dutch city that's pioneering alternative housing | Housing Network | The Guardian