Housing crisis: Germany plans to « Turbo-construction » – the world

Once a military parade space for Prussian army, and later the base of the famous Berlin Air Bridge, Tempelhofsko polje since 2010. year open to the public as a recreation area. This field covers more than 300 hectares and is one of the largest green urban areas, a favorite and among the local population and among tourists.

Sometimes discarded plans for the construction of apartments in this area are now re-drawn from the drawer. The Provincial Government of Berlin plans to build numerous fifth ten-day tapes, as well as various individual high buildings, which would reduce green space with about 300 to 180 hectares. Half of the planned construction would be a commercial character.
Explosion rent – Maybe the most important problem in Germany

Lack of apartments with affordable rent and explosions of lease prices have become probably the most sociable social problem in Germany. According to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, 800,000 apartments are missing, while the average rent in Berlin increased by 85.2 percent per square meter (without heating costs) in 2015 at 15.74 euros in 2024. Years.

In order to solve this problem, the coalition of demochrišćan from CDU / CSU and Social Democrats announced a plan for « Turbo housing », reduction of bureaucracy, tax relief and introduction of subsidies for construction and modernization.

The Federal Association of German Residential and Construction Enterprises (GDW) welcomed those plans as a « big step forward ». The simplification of legal planning, issuance of licenses and regulations on environmental protection, as well as the planned investment fund for housing construction, is especially emphasized.

Berlin still struggles with a housing crisis

Berlin Housing Service estimates that this city currently lacks about 100,000 apartments to cool the overheated real estate market. Berlin is expected to get 200,000 new inhabitants, which means it will have to build about 20,000 apartments per year.

However, the latest statistics show a decline in construction: During 2023, only 15,965 new apartments have been completed – which explains poor economic conditions and growing interest rates.

Many efforts so far to alleviate the housing crisis, such as rising rent or breeds, they did not bear fruit, says Kristijan Miller, President of the Association of Architects and Berlin-Brandenburg (AIV). Given the good location and connection with public transport, Miller advocates for thoughtful construction on the rim of Tempelhofski fields – as a compromise between different stakeholders. Also, because the land is owned by the city and is cheaper. « It is important that apartments with just reasons are built here. It should be a good mixture. State housing associations must be included, and we must provide diversity, » Miller told DW.

Although Tempelhof has special importance for the local population and politicians, Milligre points out that the situation with housing in the meantime has changed drastically. « Ninety percent of the Berlinac wants everything to stay in the old one. Until they can search for new ones, and they explain Miller, adding that housing could be provided for 100,000 people without being overcrowded.

Little confidence in promises of affordable apartments

Partially protected natural area, partial city park, Tempelhofsko polje has become a place of numerous common initiatives – from experiments with sustainable architecture to bicycle repair courses.

« That field is unique. It works only as a whole, its entire value will be destroyed, » says Anita Miller, « 100% Tempelhofer Feld », which organized a referendum in 2014. Which prevented the construction.

She, pointing to the small garden and cultivation of flowers and vegetables in this area, reminds of one study from 2021. which the city administration itself has ordered. In this study, the unique character of this urban space is emphasized, its combination of protected nature and recreational zones. It also emphasizes its environmental importance – to preserve biodiversity, improving air quality and cooling densely populated neighborhoods.

Because of this, but also because of the 2014 referendum, in which more than 64 percent of voters, the authorities, the government now, bearing in mind the growing housing crisis, suggest that it is only built on the rims of the field. Mayor Berlin Kaj Vegner (CDU) stated in November 2024. For the « Tagespiegel » leaf that it is possible to build 15,000 to 20,000 apartments on the edges of that space. However, this proposal encounters severe opposition.

True Will for Accessible Flats – or Investor Dreams?

Opposition parties in Berlin, green and left parties, accuse millions of euros from the budget on public opinion and urban competitions to influence the public in favor of building apartments that can realistically afford only a small part of citizens. « They keep saying that it is a need for housing, but we are honest, it really care about resolving the housing crisis, you would have better options, » says Miller’s development plan by 2040. which other locations for construction of up to 222,000 apartments have been identified.

The idea that more construction automatically brings more affordable apartments is obsolete, this activist considers. It is convinced that the authorities must invest in new forms of « democratic and sustainable » urban development that « respects our ecological limits and values ​​of open space ».

For now, the space is protected by a special law, which is adopted by Miller’s referendum. But Miller’s Senate Berlin is easy: « Housing at affordable prices.