Einfacher und schneller Bauen: Hilft der Bauturbo zur Lösung der Wohnungskrise?

Overview of the Initiative

The video “Einfacher und schneller Bauen: Hilft der Bauturbo zur Lösung der Wohnungskrise?” was organized by the Heinrich‑Böll‑Stiftung in cooperation with the Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik (DEFU). It launched the discussion series “Bauen‑Wohnen‑Mieten – Perspektiven für bezahlbares Wohnen und nachhaltiges Bauen”. The programme gathered researchers, municipal leaders, architects and housing‑industry representatives to evaluate whether the legislative “Bauturbo” and the “Gebäudetyp E” can accelerate construction, lower costs and contribute to affordable, sustainable housing in Germany.

Key Legislative Instruments

The “Bauturbo” is a five‑year experimental clause in the Baugesetzbuch that allows municipalities to deviate from standard zoning plans for faster building permits. It functions as a “genehmigungsturbo” for residential projects. The “Gebäudetyp E” permits the omission of certain technical standards where appropriate, aiming to reduce construction complexity and expense while maintaining safety. Both instruments were introduced to address high construction costs, lengthy approval processes and the chronic shortage of rental housing.

Current Housing Situation

According to the video transcript, about 53 % of the German population lived in rented accommodation in 2024, the highest share in the EU. Rental prices have risen sharply, with rent increases of 47.2 % in Landkreis Kaiserslautern, 44.3 % in Kotbus, and 34.7 % in Landkreis Rostock over three years. Approximately 10 % of residents are over‑crowded, and 12 % spend more than 40 % of their income on rent, highlighting the urgency of affordable housing solutions.

Cost Reductions Demonstrated

A pilot project in Hamburg’s “Morellen” quarter applied the “Hamburg Standard” (a regional variant of simplified building) and achieved a construction cost of €3,000 per m², compared with typical costs of €4,000–5,000 per m². Savings stemmed from omitting basements, using lightweight façade materials, reducing wall thickness, limiting elevators, and employing low‑tech building systems. The project delivered 90 subsidised rental units with rents between €16 and €20 per m², illustrating the potential of streamlined standards.

Municipal Experiences

Leipzig reported 5,000 approved but not yet built units, prompting the city council to set thresholds (e.g., projects over 5,000 m² or 50 units) for additional scrutiny and social‑housing commitments. Hamburg reported 750 units built within four months of the Bauturbo’s activation, with a target of 1,000 more. Smaller municipalities expressed concerns about limited planning staff and the need for shared templates; the German Städte‑Bundesrat and implementation labs now provide model “Zustimmungsverträge” and guideline collections to avoid reinventing processes.

Collaborative Approaches

The discussion emphasized the importance of cross‑sector collaboration: architects, housing associations, municipal planners and policymakers jointly develop cost‑effective designs, share best‑practice templates, and coordinate approval procedures. Examples include co‑planning workshops, joint procurement of standardized components, and the establishment of “Bauturbo‑Kommunal” platforms offering downloadable municipal resolutions.

Sustainability Considerations

While cost reduction is a central goal, participants stressed that sustainability must not be compromised. The “Morellen” project integrated wood construction, energy‑efficient heating, and lifecycle‑oriented design. Experts highlighted the need to balance low‑tech solutions with climate targets, ensuring that reduced material use does not lead to higher long‑term energy consumption.

Outlook and Future Challenges

Speakers agreed that the Bauturbo and simplified building types can contribute to increased housing supply but will not alone solve the crisis. Additional measures such as rent‑control, land‑banking, conversion of office space to residential use, and targeted subsidies are required. Ongoing monitoring of approval times, cost impacts and environmental performance will determine the scalability of these instruments across Europe’s diverse housing markets.