Germany sets high standards for housing construction – accessibility, energy efficiency, sound insulation. But these norms drive up costs and slow the construction of new apartments. A new study by the housing construction institute ARGE and the Institute for Building Research (IFB) shows that square meter prices have risen by 600 euros over the past 25 years. The overregulation leads to conflicting goals and absurdly high requirements, the study says.
The study’s authors advocate for a clear basic standard that enables simpler and cheaper construction. People would forgo extras like a parking space, a cellar, or an additional electrical outlet if they could get an affordable apartment in return. Slightly lower sound insulation or an unheated stairwell would also be acceptable to many. But such apartments are built far too rarely in Germany, the researchers criticize.
The federal government is planning a law that would allow builders to deviate from certain standards. The goal is to accelerate housing construction and reduce costs. The study provides further arguments for this: It shows that current norms are not only expensive but also block urgently needed housing in major cities. A change of course is urgently needed, the authors say. Building must become simpler again – with fewer regulations but more affordable apartments.
Source: www.zeit.de
