Interview mit Oberbürgermeister Marcus König (wbg-Magazin 4/2025)

The interview is published by wbg Nürnberg, the municipal housing company of Nuremberg, Germany. Conducted by journalist Philip Hauck for the wbg‑Magazin (issue 4/2025), it presents the city’s mayor, Marcus König, discussing the challenges and strategies of sustainable and affordable housing in Nuremberg. The piece reflects the perspective of a major public housing provider and the city’s political leadership on housing policy, construction costs, and future development.

Nuremberg aims to create at least 2,000 new dwellings each year. In 2023 the target was met with 2,023 completions, but 2024 fell short at 1,497. Over the past five years the average annual output has been roughly 1,700 units. The mayor notes that rising construction costs, higher material and energy prices, tighter financing conditions and a shortage of skilled labour hinder the realisation of the 2,000‑unit goal.

Population growth intensifies demand: as of June 2025 the city counted nearly 547,000 inhabitants, the highest ever. Projections anticipate an additional 10,000 residents over the next decade, keeping pressure on the rental market and making affordable housing increasingly scarce for middle‑ and lower‑income households.

Public subsidies for housing have been reduced at both federal and state levels, prompting the city to seek alternative financing. While free‑market construction remains essential for long‑term rent stability, the mayor stresses that subsidised housing remains a top priority. The municipality is engaging investors to develop price‑controlled rental projects and is maintaining cooperation with the state and private housing partners to offset funding cuts.

wbg Nürnberg is described as indispensable, managing roughly 19,000 rental units, of which about 9,000 are subsidised. This portfolio provides homes for more than 40,000 people, roughly one in ten Nuremberg residents. The company contributes to social mix, rent stability and sustainable neighbourhood development, especially during economic turbulence.

The city highlights the importance of Einkommensorientierte Förderung (EOF). Approximately 60 % of Nuremberg’s population could qualify, yet many are unaware. For a family with two children the income ceiling is about €103,000 gross per year. EOF projects are largely barrier‑free, supporting older citizens and families, with nearly 900 such units currently planned or under construction.

The federal government’s announced “Bau‑Turbo” aims to accelerate planning approvals and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The mayor expects faster permitting, easier serial construction and more practical regulations for public‑sector developers, which could lower costs and speed delivery of new housing.

Mayor König urges the federal and state governments to provide reliable, long‑term funding programmes that are not subject to annual cuts. He also calls for expanded support for climate‑friendly retrofitting of existing stock, underlining the social housing sector’s role in mitigating economic hardship and fostering sustainability.

The interview outlines two planning approaches: (1) densification and careful infill in established districts such as Langwasser, prioritising minimal loss of green space and avoiding displacement; (2) comprehensive, mixed‑use development in new districts like Lichtenreuth, integrating parks, schools, social facilities, climate‑adapted design and sustainable mobility. Resident participation is stressed as essential for creating livable, long‑lasting communities.

Mayor König concludes by expressing a personal belief that housing is more than a policy issue—it is a source of belonging and security. He frames the mission of wbg Nürnberg as providing a “home” for all citizens, reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable, affordable housing for the future.