Country Profiles on urban development, housing and land management series is a flagship product of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management. The Country Profiles is an important tool to analyse countries’ urban development, housing and land management policies, strategies, institutional and financial frameworks and to compare the progress made internationally.
The study is conducted on the request of UNECE member States, coordinated by the secretariat and drafted by independent international experts. UNECE’s involvement does not end with the launch of the study.
The Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management monitors and supports the implementation of country profile recommendations, for instance through technical model projects.
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The Committee initiated the Country Profiles project in 1994 (Pilot project proposal, September 1994). This project represents a tool for Governments to analyse their housing policies, strategies, institutional and financial frameworks for the housing sector and to compare the progress made internationally. The project is a high priority for the Committee.
At its 62nd session the Committee reviewed the implementation of the recommendations of the Country Profiles, discussed the usefulness of the study and possible future follow-up activities (Report on the 62nd Session, ECE/HBP/122 para IV B).
Process
The country profile is a process-oriented exercise. At its core is an analytical study on the housing sector, drafted by independent international experts. Recommendations for improving policies and practices are an essential part of the programme. It also aims to provide information to potential investors.
The Profiles constitute a strategic analysis of a country's entire housing sector. The study covers five major areas:
- Framework for the housing sector transition
- Existing housing stock and new housing construction
- Institutional framework
- Legal framework
- Financial framework.
As a voluntary exercise, the Country Profile study is undertaken only at the request of the country itself. The Committee or its Bureau then selects a country from the list of applicants. The project starts with a compilation of relevant data on the housing sector of the country to be reviewed. An international team of experts from all over Europe, including countries in transition, is then formed.
The conduct of the country profile exercise is enabled by an extra budgetary fund, to which a number of UNECE member countries contribute. Some member countries have also provided experts as a contribution in kind to the project.
The project involves a preparatory mission and a research mission of the team of international experts to the country under review. In the host country, the team also interviews officials, experts, NGOs, international organizations and their project personnel, and visits development sites.
The study is published in English and translated to the national languages for distribution to interested parties.Procedural guidelines
Guidelines for the preparation of ECE country profiles on housing and land management (ECE/HBP/2017/5) ENG FRE RUS
Country impact
Impact of country profile studies on countries that were reviewed.
Evaluation of the Country Profiles programme
Management response to the report's recommendations
Guidelines for the preparation of UNECE Country Profiles on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management
Available in English and Russian. Click here to download.
Meetings and events
A list of meetings under the Country Profiles programme.
Country Profiles
(click on the country to view reports)
- Albania (2002, 2024)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Albania (2024)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Albania (2002)
Contents Preface Chapter I Framework for the housing sector transition Chapter II Existing housing stock and new construction Chapter III Institutional framework Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Financial framework Bibliography Conclusions and recommendations Full report ECE/HBP/130 (English) - Armenia (2004, 2017)
Country Profiles on Housing and Land Management: Armenia (2017)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Armenia (2004)
Contents Preface Chapter I Framework for the housing sector transition Chapter II Existing housing stock and new construction Chapter III Institutional framework Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Financial framework Conclusions and recommendations Bibliography Full report ECE/HBP/132 (English) - Azerbaijan (2010)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Azerbaijan (2010)
Contents Executive summary Chapter I Socio-economic conditions and housing policy framework Chapter II Spatial planning and land administration Chapter III Existing housing stock, new construction and utilities Chapter IV Financial framework for the housing and land sectors Chapter V Recommendations Bibliography Full report ECE/HBP/156 (English) PDF Full report ECE/HBP/156 (Russian) PDF - Belarus (2008, 2019)
Country Profiles on Housing and Land Management: Belarus (2019)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Belarus (2008)
Contents Executive Summary Chapter I Socio-economic trends and housing policies Chapter II Existing housing stock and new construction Chapter III Housing finance Chapter IV Land administration and spatial planning Chapter V Recommendations Annex Bibliography Back cover Full Report ECE/HBP/150 (English) PDF Full Report ECE/HBP/150 (Russian) PDF - Bulgaria (1996)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Bulgaria (1996)
Contents Preface Introduction Country Profile graph Chapter I The role of housing in societies undergoing transition Chapter II Population Chapter III Housing quality and construction of new dwellings Chapter IV Housing economics and affordability Chapter V The legal framework Chapter VI Institutional framework and decision-making processes Annexes Full report ECE/HBP/101 (English) - Georgia (2007)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Georgia (2007)
Contents Executive Summary Chapter I Socio-economic conditions and housing policy framework Chapter II Institutional framework Chapter III Existing housing situation, new construction, urban planning and utilities Chapter IV Affordable housing for vulnerable households Chapter V Financial framework Chapter VI Recommendations Bibliography Full Report ECE/HBP/143 (English) PDF Full Report ECE/HBP/143 (Russian) PDF - Kazakhstan (2018)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Kazakhstan (2018)
- Kyrgyzstan (2010)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Kyrgyzstan (2010)
Contents Executive summary Chapter I Socio-economic conditions and housing policy framework Chapter II Institutional framework Chapter III Land administration and land management Chapter IV Housing conditions and new housing construction Chapter V Financial framework Chapter VI Recommendations Bibliography Full report ECE/HBP/157 (English) PDF - Lithuania (2000)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Lithuania (2000)
Contents Preface Conclusions and recommendations Country Profile graph Chapter I Framework for the housing sector Chapter II Existing housing stock and new housing construction Chapter III Financial framework Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Institutional framework Annexes Full report ECE/HBP/117 (English) - Montenegro (2025)
Country Profiles on Housing and Land Management: Montenegro (2025)
- Poland (1998)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Poland (1998)
Contents Preface Introduction Conclusions and recommendations Country Profile graph Chapter I Framework for the housing sector transition Chapter II Existing housing stock and housing development Chapter III Housing economics and affordability Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Institutional framework Annex Full report ECE/HBP/107 (English) - Republic of Moldova (2002, 2015)
Country Profiles on Housing and Land Management: Republic of Moldova (2015)
Contents Executive summary Introduction PART I LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS FOR HOUSING, URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND LAND ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT PART II HOUSING SECTOR Chapter I Existing housing stock, condition, maintenance and management Chapter II Policy and financial framework for housing PART III SPATIAL PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PART IV LAND ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT; REAL ESTATE MARKETS Chapter I Land administration and management Chapter II Real estate markets RECOMMENDATIONS ANNEXES REFERENCES Full report ECE/HBP/181 English Full report ECE/HBP/181 Russian Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Republic of Moldova (2002)
Contents Preface Conclusions and recommendations Chapter I Framework for the housing sector Chapter II Existing housing stock and new housing construction Chapter III Institutional framework Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Financial framework Bibliography Full report ECE/HBP/125 English - Romania (2001)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Romania (2001)
Contents Preface Chapter I Framework for the housing sector Chapter II Housing stock and construction Chapter III Institutional framework Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Financial framework Summary and recommendations Annex Full report ECE/HBP/124 (English) In October 2002 a roundtable discussion to follow-up the country profile was initiated by the Government of Romania. The roundtable brought together once again all the parties which were involved in the country profile. The aim of the round table discussion was to assess the developments in the Romanian housing sector since the international expert team visited Romania in 2000, to evaluate the implementation of the recommendations given by the experts, to discuss future strategies for the Romanian housing sector and to assess the significance of the country profile for Romania’s housing policy.
The main findings of the roundtable discussion are summarized in the report of the Bucharest roundtable.- Russian Federation (2004)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Russian Federation (2004)
Contents Foreword Preface Conclusions and Recommendations Part I FRAMEWORK FOR THE HOUSING SECTOR DEVELOPMENT Chapter I The Socio-economic framework Chapter II Housing Reform Chapter III The Housing Stock Chapter IV Institutional framework Chapter V Legal framework Chapter VI Financial Framework Part II CURRENT SITUATION, GOALS AND CHALLENGES IN PARTICULAR AREAS OF THE HOUSING SECTOR REFORM Chapter VII Management and operation of the existing housing stock Chapter VIII Utility services Chapter IX Social housing Chapter X New construction and urban planning Chapter XI Land management and real property market development Bibliography Full Report ECE/HBP/131 (English) PDF Full Report ECE/HBP/131 (Russian) PDF - San Marino (2023)
Country Profiles on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management: Republic of San Marino
- Serbia and Montenegro (2006)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Serbia and Montenegro (2006)
Contents Chapter I The socio-economic framework for the development of the housing sector Chapter II Existing housing stock and new construction Chapter III Institutional framework Chapter IV Legal framework for housing Chapter V Financial framework Chapter VI Social housing Chapter VII Land administration and housing market development Chapter VIII Conclusions and recommendations Bibliography Full Report ECE/HBP/139 English - Slovakia (1999)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Slovakia (1999)
Contents Preface Conclusions and recommendations Country Profile graphs Chapter I Framework for the housing sector Chapter II Existing housing stock and new housing construction Chapter III Financial framework Chapter IV Legal framework Chapter V Institutional framework Annex Full report ECE/HBP/111 (English) - Tajikistan (2011)
Country Profiles on the Housing Sector: Tajikistan (2011)
Contents Executive summary Chapter I Socio-economic conditions and housing policy framework Chapter II Housing conditions, housing construction and public utilities Chapter III Housing financial and legal framework Chapter IV Urban planning and development Chapter V Land administration Chapter VI Recommendations Bibliography Full report ECE/HBP/163 (English) Full report ECE/HBP/163 (Russian) - Ukraine (2013)
Country Profiles on Housing and Land Management: Ukraine (2013)
Contents Executive summary PART I HOUSING SECTOR Chapter I Legal, Institutional and Policy Framework for Housing Chapter II Housing conditions Chapter III Housing allocation, needs, demand and supply PART II SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND MANAGEMENT Chapter IV Spatial planning and urban development Chapter V Land management and registration system PART III FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE HOUSING AND LAND SECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS Bibliography Full report ECE/HBP/176 (English) Full report ECE/HBP/176 (Russian) - Uzbekistan (2015)
Country Profiles on Housing and Land Management: Uzbekistan (2015)
