Covenant Timber Construction MRA 2021-2025

The Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA) set a bold target: 20% of all new housing should be built in timber or other biobased materials by 2025. This report takes stock of the progress toward that goal.

Drawing on project data, stakeholder interviews, and a detailed timber construction monitor, the report reveals that timber homes currently account for just 5% of total housing output. While the ambition has sparked momentum the transition from commitment to execution remains slow. Why?

The analysis identifies a web of structural and procedural barriers: rigid planning frameworks not designed for timber, a lack of standardised certifications, insufficient recognition of timber’s environmental value in official metrics like the MPG, and widespread market risk aversion. These factors compound, undermining the business case and delaying projects.

Yet the report also charts a clear path forward. It outlines concrete, actionable strategies for demand-side actors who are crucial to enabling timber at scale. From updating regulations and optimising processes to enhancing knowledge sharing and project collaboration, the tools to close the gap between ambition and delivery are within reach.