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Local Germany
03-08-2025
- Local Germany
OPINION: German cities are designed for walking and it benefits everyone
I know what you're thinking – Germany loves cars. It's true that the country is home to some of the world's most iconic automotive companies and the allure of driving without a speed limit on the Autobahn is known around the world. But here's the other side of things – Germans really enjoy walking and their cities are designed heavily with pedestrians in mind. With lots of 'Fußgänger' zones, wide pavements, plenty of green space and a far-reaching public transport network, walking in German cities is a pleasure that everyone can take part in. It results in a healthier lifestyle, is better for the environment and, crucially, means that most people don't have to own a car. US could learn from Germany This part of life in Germany was brought home to me when I visited Los Angeles earlier this year. The US is well-known for its extreme car culture and has few public transit connections. Many people in the US have no choice but to hop in the car for small errands like going to the supermarket or dropping the kids off at school. Freeways in Los Angeles. Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash I was car-free for most of my LA trip and it sure resulted in a number of challenges. The bus and light rail network was helpful (and thankfully cheap) to use, but its geographic limitations made it tricky to really get around the area. READ ALSO: Ice to the Autobahn - 8 common myths American travellers have about Germany I found myself frequently having to walk long distances that were littered with hurdles. For instance, on more than one occasion, a sidewalk I was following would abruptly vanish, leaving me to walk on the road with the traffic. Or I would find myself at the edge of a freeway and have to turn back and find another way to my destination. Advertisement It's no secret that Europe leans towards promoting lifestyles that don't depend solely on driving, which is a stark contrast to the US. A recent report from the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) found that the majority of people in German cities can access most daily services within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This not only helps create a community atmosphere in cities, but also improves the health of the population. Various studies show that walkable cities encourage physical activity, which can lead to a decreased risk in serious health conditions. READ ALSO: Will Germany's motorists and cyclists ever learn to live with each other? Munich named 'most walkable' city in the world Advertisement The no-car attitude starts young. Children are encouraged to walk to school by themselves from an early age. They learn how to bike safely on cycle paths and roads, and take public transport alone. This fosters independence and confidence as they grow up. And you'd be hard pushed to find a past-time that Germans love more than ' Wandern' (hiking) or ' Spaziergang machen' (taking a walk). According to Germany's Transport Ministry, more than 80 percent of Germans enjoy walking, while almost a third of journeys are undertaken on foot. You might have even spotted videos on social media poking fun at the German stereotype of encouraging people to go for a casual walk (that turns out to be a 15km hike). This culture is one of the things I love about living in Berlin . In my home country of Scotland, walking in cities is easier than in the US – but public transport is often expensive and limited. Here in Berlin, I walk all the time, far and wide. It's a refreshing way to take in the city, its fascinating history and culture. Thanks to the Deutschlandticket (Germany's €58 per month travel pass) I can easily reach Berlin's different neighbourhoods by bus, tram, train or the U-Bahn. READ ALSO: What's behind the German love of hiking? Writer Rachel Loxton walking in Berlin's Tempelhof (with a pretzel). Photo courtesy of Rachel Loxton How Germany could improve I'm not saying that Germany is a perfect place for pedestrians. T here's still plenty of room for improvement, especially in terms of accessibility. Construction works that spring up and block walkways regularly cause problems in German cities, including Berlin. Meanwhile, people with disabilities can face difficulties using public transport. Advertisement Take Berlin's U-Bahn network. There are 175 underground stations in Berlin and 85 percent of them are accessible via a ramp or lift. That still leaves a fair proportion that are difficult for people with mobility issues to access, while lifts and escalators often fall into disrepair and aren't fixed for weeks. Local (and nationwide) politics also influences the way German cities are developing when it comes to urban space. For instance, the controversial planned extension of the A100 motorway in Berlin, backed by the Christian Democrats in the Senate, is expected to go ahead. Meanwhile, a section of Friedrichstraße in Mitte that was closed off to traffic as part of a trial by the Berlin Senate reopened in summer 2023 after objections from some local residents. READ ALSO: How Berlin's Friedrichstraße ended up at the centre of the car-free debate Obviously German cities can't be asked to get rid of cars, which are firmly rooted in people's lives. But Germany is a striking example that designing cities with pedestrians in mind, providing more walkable routes and accessible public transport that isn't too expensive, contributes to a more climate-friendly future that everyone benefits from.
Local Germany
19-06-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
Rents soar in Germany's big cities despite the rent brake
Germany's rent control efforts don't seem to be working very well. Housing is becoming more and more expensive in major German cities despite the rent brake. A recent evaluation by the Ministry of Construction found that asking rents in the 14 largest German cities have risen by an average of almost 50 percent since 2015. Which cities are seeing the steepest rent price increases? Germany's rent price figures come from the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR). They reflect the prices on offer that apartment hunters find online when searching for a rental apartment with a living space of 40 to 100 square meters. According to the report, Berlin has been hardest hit. In the capital city new rents have more than doubled in the past ten years. READ ALSO: 'Always be vigilant' - Expert tips for finding an apartment in Berlin The next largest rent increases were seen in Leipzig (where prices jumped 67.7 percent) and Bremen (plus 57 percent). The lowest rent increase was reported for Dresden, where prices have still risen by 28.4 percent. According to BBSR figures, renting continues to be most expensive in Munich, with prices per square metre of almost €22 on average. Construction of new homes in Germany has slowed, but in the Freiham district on the outskirts of Munich, new flats are being built on former farm land. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Carsten Hoefer This is followed by Berlin where new rentals average €18 per square metre, and Frankfurt am Main with around €16 euros per square metre. Advertisement What's wrong with the rent brake? Germany's primary rent control, the rent price brake or Mietpreisbremse, which was introduced in 2015 with the aim of holding down rents in dense housing areas, is set to be extended until 2029 . But continued increases in rent prices - even in places that are covered by the rent brake - serve as mounting evidence that the rent control may not be working as intended. Left Party member of the Bundestag, Caren Lay, who had brought the inquiry on rent increases said, "The rent explosion is taking money out of the pockets of urban tenants, moving is becoming impossible and all this contributes to the further social division of our society." Lay pointed to a number of exceptions written into the rent brake that limit its protection, and criticised the current federal government plans to extend the regulation without amending it. The rent brake does not apply to new builds (since 2014) or temporary or furnished lets. It also lacks consequences for landlords that break the rules - beyond reimbursing their tenants for rent that was overcharged - and puts the burden of enforcement on tenants . OPINION: It's high time Germany scrapped the rent brake Just add apartments With or without rent controls, Germany needs to build more apartments to ensure enough supply to keep rents from spiralling upward. But construction in the country has dropped to a snail's pace in recent years - the number of newly built flats fell to 251,900 last year compared to the government's target of 400,000. To spur on more development, the black-red federal government - led by the conservative Union and centre-left Social Democrat parties - is pushing forward a raft of legislative changes known collectively as the Bau-Turbo (Construction turbo). Advertisement The legislation is designed to make it easier for local authorities to make use of exemptions from building regulations that are currently in place until the end of 2030. Also the expansion of residential buildings, and the conversion of commercial space into residential space should also be made easier. READ ALSO: Boardrooms to bedrooms - Can converting offices create housing in Germany? To protect tenants, a regulation against the conversion of rental apartments into condominiums is to be extended to the end of 2030.
DW
18-06-2025
- Business
- DW
Germany updates: Rents soar in major cities despite controls – DW – 06/18/2025
06/18/2025 June 18, 2025 Rent cap fails to stop prices soaring in major German cities, data shows Rental tenants in large German cities are being forced to pay ever more for places to live, according to an analysis by the Housing Ministry. Advertised rents in the 14 largest independent cities have almost doubled on average over the past 10 years, figures from the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) show. The data provided in response to a parliamentary request. Berlin has seen the greatest rise in new rental prices at 107%, followed by Leipzig (67.7%) and Bremen (57%). Dresden saw the smallest increase at 28.4%. Rents in the southern city of Munich remained highest overall, with monthly rental prices reaching nearly €22 ($25.30) per square meter, the analysis showed. That was followed by Berlin at €18 per square meter, and Frankfurt at around €16 per square meter. Germany has laws in place to limit rents in regions with tight housing markets. In such regions, it is generally not allowed for landlords to demand rents for new leases that exceed the local comparative rent by more than 10%. Some exceptions are made, for furnished apartments, for example. However, the lessors are not subject to government supervision, meaning tenants must reported suspected violations of the rules themselves.
Local Germany
20-03-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
Which German cities are the most in need of new housing?
Around 2.56 million apartments need to be newly built or otherwise added to the German rental market by 2030 to meet growing demand, according to a study by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR). For years the number of new apartments built has not kept pace with rising demand. In 2023, around 294,400 new apartments were built across the country, whereas BBSR suggests that at least 320,000 new apartments were needed. It's no surprise that in terms of apartments needed, Germany's major cities rank highest, with Berlin expected to need the most new flat built every year until 2030 to keep demand from growing even higher. READ ALSO: 'Tense housing situation' - Why a Berlin renter can't be evicted for two years But when you look at per-capita figures, it's actually a number of smaller cities in Bavaria that need the most housing relative to the number of current residents. Which cities need the most new homes built? In terms of real numbers, Berlin - notorious for it's extremely tight housing market - needs the most apartments built or vacated and added to the rental market. BBSR estimates that it needs about 23,000 more per year until 2030 to keep pace with the cities growing demand. Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Cologne and Düsseldorf also need significant numbers of apartments built. READ ALSO: 13,000 unused flats in Frankfurt - Why Hesse plans to crack down on empty housing Tagesspiegel reported that these cities combined will need another 37,000 apartments built each year as well. Advertisement Where has the highest housing need per-capita? But its actually Bavarian cities outside of Munich that need the most apartments built relative to their numbers of inhabitants. According to BBSR forecasts, for every 10,000 inhabitants in the Bavarian city of Landshut, 87 apartments are needed. Regensburg Clock Tower and multicoloured townhouses with tiled roofs. Regensburg needs a significant amount of new apartments. Photo: Pexels/Damir In fact the top five cities with the highest housing need per capita are all found in the Free state of Bavaria. READ ALSO: Why Bavaria is one the world's top travel destinations for 2025 Regensburg is in second place, needing 83 new apartments for every 10,000 residents, followed by Kempten im Allgäu (77) and Memmingen (75). Finally, the Bavarian capital of Munich ranks fifth with 74 apartments needed per 10,000 residents. In comparison, Berlin needs about 66 new apartments per 10,000 residents, Frankfurt needs 55 and Hamburg needs 54. Which regions have an adequate supply of housing? Outside of Bavaria, Germany's rural regions tend to have a low to moderate need for new housing - with just a few exceptions, including in the districts around Frankfurt or Hamburg. Many districts in the former East German states have the lowest need for new housing. BBSR analyst Anna Maria Müther told Tagesspiegel, "Especially in districts with a declining population, it is important not to boost the vacancy rate of tomorrow [by building too many homes] and, instead to develop the existing stock." Based on current population trends in these areas, its expected that one in five of the households in these regions may be gone by 2045. Advertisement Why is housing demand soaring in Germany? Germany's population has largely stabilised and is not expected to grow too much in the coming decade. In fact, if current trends continue the country's population could peak in 2028 and then begin to decline slowly in the following years. However, experts don't think that the slight decline in population will relieve the housing market. The BBSR predicts that the number of households in Germany will continue to tick steadily upward, growing by 1.3 percent to 42.6 million by 2030. The study's authors suggest a contributing factor is the "continuing trend of singularization and aging". In other words, Germany is seeing an increase in one-person households that is adding to the growing demand for housing. READ ALSO: How much do you need to earn in Germany to buy a million euro home?
Reuters
20-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Germany must build 320,000 apartments yearly to meet housing demand, study shows
BERLIN, March 20 (Reuters) - Germany, lagging in its building goals to alleviate a housing shortage, needs to construct 320,000 new apartments each year by 2030, a study on Thursday showed. Authorities granted permits for the building of just under 216,000 apartments in 2024, as Europe's largest economy navigates its worst real-estate crisis in decades, keeping a lid on new construction. Get a look at the day ahead in European and global markets with the Morning Bid Europe newsletter. Sign up here. That pace, the slowest since 2010, puts Germany far behind the federal government's self-imposed goal of building 400,000 apartments a year to help house its growing population, spurred in part by immigrants from Ukraine and Syria. The study - by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs, and Spacial Development (BBSR) - was commissioned by the nation's housing ministry. It showed the need for housing was particularly great in cities like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. After years of boom, Germany's 730 billion euro real estate industry ground to a halt in 2022 when the European Central Bank swiftly hiked interest rates to stamp out the worst bout of inflation in decades. The industry, which had been firing on all cylinders, was ill-prepared. Construction projects halted, workers lost their jobs, building sales collapsed and property developers went insolvent. yet another blow.
