Giffey stresses importance of new housing construction and densification

Franziska Giffey (SPD), Regierende Bürgermeisterin Berlins

Berlin's Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey and Senator for Urban Development Andreas Geisel emphasized the Senate's goal of advancing housing construction in the city, also by means of densification and adding to existing neighborhoods.

200,000 new apartments in 10 years as Senate goal

"Berlin must grow in width, density and height," Giffey said on Monday (March 28, 2022) after visiting the Buckower Höfe construction project in the Neukölln district. Geisel also stressed the importance of the development of new residential areas as well as new construction and climate-friendly renovation in existing neighborhoods. The Senate has set itself the goal of creating 200,000 new apartments within ten years, he said.

Billion euro sum for affordable housing

Federal Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) pointed out that the federal government is making billions available to support the construction of 400,000 affordable apartments a year in Germany, including 100,000 social housing units. "Berlin is a very important location in this regard," said the politician, who also took part in the tour of the construction site.

255 new apartments in the Buckower Höfe project

As part of the Buckower Höfe project, the municipal company Gewobag is creating 255 new apartments in a residential area with just under 1,000 units. This will be done by adding storeys to existing houses and the construction of five supplementary new buildings on the site. Monthly rents are to range between 6.50 and 11 euros per square meter. Gewobag is investing a total of almost 150 million euros in the project, which also includes refurbishment of the existing buildings.

90,000 apartments planned by 2030

A report presented by Geisel a week ago stated that in the course of 196 major projects already planned, 90,000 apartments could be built in Berlin by 2030 and another 23,000 by 2037. Smaller projects offer potential for a further 110,000 apartments, for example by closing gaps between buildings or adding storeys to existing residential buildings.