Affordable living space is a scarce commodity, especially in one of the most densely populated districts, said District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier in his opening speech at the three-hour information event on Tuesday (22/09) in the Ratskeller Ludwigsburg. Around 100 people took part in the event, including 14 mayors from the district.
The Alliance for Affordable Housing, which was founded in 2018, developed a key issues paper that was presented to the public in 2019. According to District Administrator Allgaier, this key points paper is "a jointly agreed catalog that represents a good basis for creating affordable housing, it contains good, creative ideas and suggestions - but it has to be put into practice!" We are now at this point. The district wants to present ideas, facilitate networking, raise awareness of the issue and highlight opportunities. Ultimately, however, District Administrator Allgaier emphasized that the political will in each municipality is crucial to creating affordable housing. "Then you will take impetus with you today," promised Allgaier.
The event, which the district had prepared together with the Institute for Urban and Regional Development (IfSR), consisted of a packed program with various impulses on the topic. Ulrike Kessler, Head of the Innovative Building and Planning Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, outlined the funding and support options currently available from the state of Baden-Württemberg. In addition to housing subsidies, the housing offensive is intended to provide additional impetus. The core element is the property fund, which is unique in Germany. Mayor Volker Kieber from Bad Krozingen described the concept award for building land development being promoted by his municipality, which is being implemented together with private developers. An important requirement here is that 50 percent of the apartments built must be affordable.
Prof. Dr. Alfred Ruther-Mehlis from IfSR showed which instruments municipalities can use to create more affordable housing. From relocation management and possibilities for inner-city development to an active land policy, there are a wide range of options. Carsten Schüler, Managing Director of Bietigheimer Wohnbau, presented examples of needs-based construction. It is also important to consider options for later, changed use from the outset. For example, the temporary accommodation built by Bietigheimer Wohnbau for refugees can later be converted into affordable apartments. In his presentation, the Managing Director of Wohnungsbau Ludwigsburg, Andreas Veit, focused on serial construction with the Cube 11 developed by Wohnungsbau Ludwigsburg. A three-storey Cube 11 saves 132 tons of carbon dioxide compared to conventional construction methods, as it is made from local timber with an efficient energy concept. In addition, the construction time is only three months after the floor slab has been laid.
In the ensuing discussion, District Administrator Allgaier emphasized that the district sees itself as a coordinator and mediator and wants to provide a common infrastructure. However, there was one thing he could not do for the municipalities: political decision-making at local level. As one of the next steps, an opinion-forming process should take place in the municipalities to determine who wants to continue participating in this process with the district.
The event was moderated by Heidrun Fischer from IfSR.
