How can housing construction regain momentum?
Housing construction requires courage to change and new structures
In recent weeks, there has been much discussion about the so-called housing construction turbo – and debate about its effectiveness. A survey by ZIA and the German Economic Institute shows that only 20 percent of real estate companies expect greater availability of building land. Many local authorities remain cautious – not because they are unwilling, but because they fear resistance from citizens.
There is hardly a construction project that does not meet with protest: in typical development planning procedures, a thousand objections are not uncommon. For many people, building means change, and change is often feared. This German Angst paralyses urban development – yet growth and quality of life could very well go hand in hand.
Examples from Europe show how things can be done differently: the Netherlands focuses on targets rather than standards, Denmark uses social housing as an innovation laboratory, and Ireland combines planning and construction under one roof. Everywhere, there is scope for industrial prefabrication, digitalisation and affordable construction. And new urban districts such as those in Copenhagen and Vienna show that ecology and urban growth are also compatible.
Germany has the know-how – what it lacks is the courage to reform structures and seize opportunities.
The construction industry can lead the way by creating new narratives: urban development as a win-win for everyone – more living space, more quality of life, more future.
