There is enough building land in Germany to build between 900,000 and around two million apartments, and even up to four million if the development is dense. This is the result of a study by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB).
The potentially buildable areas in cities and municipalities that are ready for construction amount to at least 99,000 hectares. According to Federal Minister of Construction Klara Geywitz, "There is enough building land in Germany. As much as the size of Berlin or 140,000 soccer fields." This means that the potential is there to build 400,000 apartments a year, including 100,000 social housing units. More than half of the building land can be developed in the short term.
"A joint effort is needed to ensure that existing land can be used for housing, schools, daycare centers and more," says Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner, First Deputy President of the German Association of Cities. "Cities must be put in a position to be able to buy land at a discount and develop it with the common good in mind. Building land that can be used immediately must not be left lying around for speculative purposes," says Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner.
Source and further information: bbsr.bund.de
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