The initiative “Cologne builds affordably – Housing for all” and the associated measures to accelerate planning and approval procedures are receiving approval from a relevant alliance within Cologne’s housing industry. This alliance is formed by the working group of Cologne housing companies (köln ag), the BFW Regional Association North Rhine-Westphalia, the Cologne House and Property Owners’ Association of 1888 e.V., and the Cologne Housing Construction Initiative (WIK). The participating stakeholders emphasise the relevance of the dialogue process between politics, administration, and the housing industry, describing it as a success for this objective and solution-oriented collaboration.
Despite this recognition, the associations stress that the current proposals are insufficient to fully meet the demand for affordable housing in Cologne. Stefan Rappen, Chairman of the WIK, explains that the dialogue so far has been open and constructive, forming a solid basis for further cooperation. He underlines the necessity of deriving consistent political decisions from the insights gained, particularly to achieve the target of 6,000 new housing units annually and to make construction economically viable again.
The alliance acknowledges that some of the planned measures, such as relief in procedures or parking regulations, will bring improvements. Nevertheless, the associations see the need for more far-reaching adjustments to significantly improve the economic viability of housing construction. In particular, a reduction in green space requirements, an adjustment of the floor area ratio in the Cooperative Building Land Model, and a review of cost-intensive municipal special standards are considered essential.
Elisabeth Gendziorra, Managing Director of the BFW Regional Association North Rhine-Westphalia, points out that land specifications and planning standards should be made more flexible to reflect actual living realities – such as an average household size of fewer than two people in Cologne. She emphasises that efficient land use is not contrary to climate protection but rather an integral part of sustainable urban development.
Furthermore, the associations highlight the potential for savings in energy standards. More cost-effective ways to achieve climate protection goals must be examined to effectively reduce construction costs. Rouven Meister, Chairman of the Board of köln ag, remarks that affordable housing is not created through additional regulations but through a realistic balance between climate protection, economic efficiency, and social responsibility. He calls for a critical review of existing standards, as unnecessary cost increases hinder investment and lead to higher rents.
Another critical point is the potential counteracting of the desired reduction in construction costs by compensatory payments for the removal of parking spaces or green areas. Anton Bausinger, Chairman of the Board of the Cologne House and Property Owners’ Association of 1888 e.V., demands that the goal of more affordable housing be prioritised in all considerations. He positions housing construction as one of the central social and economic challenges for urban society and calls for a clear commitment to this.
The alliance for more affordable housing sees the current council submission as an initial and important step, but not as a conclusive solution. The participating associations reaffirm their readiness to continue the dialogue with politicians and administration to jointly develop further strategies for strengthening housing construction in Cologne.
