Finding affordable housing has become one of the biggest challenges of our time, especially for young adults taking their first steps into the housing market. In the Netherlands, first-time buyers can only compete for a small fraction of available homes, as prices continue to rise far beyond what most can afford. This crisis reaches far beyond mortgages and market data: it shapes careers, delays families, and redefines what it means to build a future.

At Geo Promotion 2026, we explore how this generation can reclaim its place in the housing market and how planners can help tackle this crisis. Under the theme A Place to Start: Housing the Next Generation, the conference brings together students, researchers, policymakers, and professionals to discuss how spatial planning and innovative housing strategies can create fairer, more livable cities.

Through keynote lectures, discussions, and interactive workshops, participants will dive into real-world cases, from national housing policies to local projects in Groningen that pioneer new ways of living. 

The day is designed not just to share knowledge, but to spark dialogue, collaboration, and fresh ideas. Geo Promotion offers a bridge between academia and practice. So, join us as we rethink how and where the next generation can find a place to call home.