Fields of action
The working group initially prioritised seven focus topics for discussion from a selection of possible solutions.
- Modernization of project delivery models
This includes optimizing project execution in residential construction—both in general and specifically in the context of urban building stock. Objectives: improved cost estimation, increased productivity, quality assurance, and acceleration of planning and construction processes. - Reduction of tax burden
A lower taxation on construction services is intended to lower costs and thereby promote the development of new, especially affordable, housing. In the long term, this aims to increase the housing supply and stabilise or reduce rents. - Low-tech approach
Low-tech means avoiding expensive and maintenance-intensive technologies such as mechanical ventilation systems or electric window openers/blinds. This simplified construction method reduces both construction and operating costs for buildings. - Modification of planning law
Targeted adjustments to the German planning law are intended to facilitate and accelerate densification within existing urban areas—particularly through adding storeys, extensions, and reuse for residential use. - Conversion code
Integrating Building Conversion into the Model Building Code (Musterbauordnung, MBO) aims to reduce legal hurdles for conversions and extensions, improving legal and planning certainty as well as economic viability. This would also provide a basis for the requirements of the different German federal states and the implementation of the regulation, treating building conversions no longer as exceptional cases. - Densification registry
The goal is to establish a registry that records vacancies as well as areas suitable for densification or reuse. This database could help activate housing potential and contribute to greater affordability. - Knowledge transfer for building within existing structures
Relevant stakeholders should be provided with more knowledge and awareness of the benefits of adding storeys, extensions, and conversions in existing urban contexts. Various knowledge transfer tools are being discussed, targeting not only private property owners but also municipalities.
Members of working group 1
Lead
- Dr.-Ing. Daniela Kiefer
Head of Product Management Isokorb®, Schöck Bauteile GmbH - Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Winter
Ordinarius of the Chair of Timber Structures and Building Construction, TU Munich
Members
- Dominik Campanella
Managing Director, Concular GmbH - Sarah Dungs
Chairwoman of the Association for Building in Existing Contexts e.V.; Managing Director, Greyfield Group; Board of Greyfield foundation - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Graf
Head of Research at the Department of Structures and Materials, Faculty of Architecture, Rhineland-Palatinate University of Technology Kaiserslautern-Landau - Prof. Dr.-Ing. Annette Hafner
Head of the Chair of Resource Efficient Building, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum - Michael Halstenberg
Lawyer, Franßen & Nusser Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB - Josef Huber
Managing Partner, Huber & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG - Tobias Karlhuber
Architect, Robert Meyer und Tobias Karlhuber Architekten - Frank-Thomas Kronsbein
Product Manager Residential Buildings, GOLDBECK Technologies GmbH - Silke Küstner
Senior Project Manager Circular Economy, WWF Germany - Pia Lütkenhaus
Management Assistant, B. Lütkenhaus GmbH - Dr. Jan Wenker
Group Director Sustainability & Innovation, Brüninghoff GmbH & Co. KG - Petra Wurmer-Weiß
Consultant, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Advice Center (BEN) of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects
Interview
3 questions for… Dr.-Ing. Daniela Kiefer
Interview
3 questions for… Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Winter
Get to know the other two working groups
WG 2 Urban and neigbourhood developoment
WG 2 deals with issues relating to the requirements and potential of integrated neighborhood development.
WG 3 Transformation and implementation strategies
In collaboration with the other two WGs, WG 3 is working on the possible transfer of solutions into practice