Jede Minute wird in Europa ein Gebäude zerstört

The article discusses the largely invisible political implications of building demolitions across Europe, highlighting the lack of official EU-level data on the number of buildings being torn down. The EU Commission acknowledges that demolitions and new constructions have significant consequences for the climate, nature, and housing crises. Ciarán Cuffe, co-chair of the Greens in the EU Parliament, argues that too many buildings are demolished unnecessarily and that these structures could provide homes if renovated instead.

The EU acknowledges that the built environment is the largest consumer of energy, accounting for 40% of energy use and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. The construction industry contributes significantly to these emissions, especially through the energy-intensive production of materials like steel and concrete. In Germany alone, demolitions and new constructions are estimated to release 3.3 million tons of CO2 annually. The Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) advocates for preserving existing buildings and renovating them to reduce emissions by a third.

The EU's Green Deal aims to renovate 35 million buildings by 2030. However, the current renovation rate is only about 1% annually, which is significantly behind target. To achieve decarbonization of the building sector by mid-century, the renovation rate needs to triple. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of buildings are demolished each year, often without clear records or justifications, which exacerbates the housing crisis for low-income individuals.

The EU Commission admits that data collection on demolitions is rare and inconsistent, leading to a lack of transparency regarding the scale and reasons for demolitions. To address this issue, CORRECTIV and its partners have initiated the Demolition Atlas project, aiming to gather comprehensive data on demolished buildings across Europe. In Germany, for instance, 12,600 buildings were reported demolished in 2022, resulting in the loss of 16,500 housing units.

The article highlights the financial motivations behind demolitions, suggesting that investors often prefer to tear down existing buildings to build new ones, allowing them to charge higher rents. The HouseEurope! initiative promotes a shift towards renovation over demolition, calling for tax reductions on renovation materials and labor, as well as redirecting funds from new construction to existing building renovations.

HouseEurope! outlines three key demands for promoting renovations: tax incentives for renovation materials and labor, redirecting funding from new builds to renovations, and implementing standardized assessments of building conditions. The initiative aims to raise public awareness and gather signatures for these demands, urging the EU Parliament to take legislative action.

The article emphasizes the importance of viewing old buildings as valuable assets rather than liabilities. With a growing recognition of the need for sustainable housing solutions, it is critical for EU member states to adopt policies that encourage renovation and prioritize environmental considerations in the building sector. The challenges posed by current demolition practices underscore the urgency for a transformative approach to housing across Europe.