Criticizing CDU's Tall Tower Plans in Berlin
Theresa Keilhacker, the president of Berlin's Chamber of Architects, is not a fan of the CDU's parliamentary group's proposals for more skyscrapers in the capital. In an interview with "Tagesspiegel," she shared her concern that high-rise structures have become increasingly old-fashioned over the past 20 years. She argued that they are not only less environmentally friendly due to increased energy consumption for heating and cooling, but also often more expensive to build due to the need for more robust structures and technology.
The German Environmental Association shares Keilhacker's skepticism. Tilmann Heuser, managing director of the Berlin region, stated that while shorter buildings up to 60 meters are relatively eco-friendly, the consumption of resources for construction and operation increases significantly with taller structures. The higher the towers, he added, the less favorable the ratio of construction volume to usable building area becomes.
Despite these criticisms, the CDU parliamentary group held a closed meeting in November and adopted a position paper titled "Radically Vertical - High-Rise Buildings as a Beacon of Urban Development." The MPs urged for a high-rise development plan for Berlin, with the group leader, Dirk Stettner, echoing the necessity of building upwards to protect green spaces in the city.
The Mirror's Observations
The controversy surrounding the CDU's high-rise plans is not confined to the architecture community. The Daily Mirror joined in the chorus of critics, warning that these tall buildings could further fuel Germany's housing shortage. Meanwhile, the Berlin Senate remains adamant in its support for high-rise construction, viewing it as a solution to preserve green spaces.
Environmental Concerns
Climate Impact
High-rise developments require significant energy for heating and cooling, contributing to carbon emissions. This can hinder the German government's efforts to reduce emissions from the building sector.
Urban Heat Island Effect
High-rise buildings can contribute to the urban heat island effect, which increases temperatures in cities and exacerbates climate-related issues.
Green Space Preservation
High-rise construction often requires significant land use, potentially leading to the loss of green spaces and natural habitats.
Energy Efficiency
The construction of high-rise buildings can be energy-intensive, conflicting with the goal of making homes more energy-efficient.
Economic Challenges
Affordability
High-rise developments can lead to higher construction costs, resulting in more expensive housing and worsening the affordability crisis in Berlin.
Supply and Demand Imbalance
High-rise developments might not effectively address the existing supply-demand imbalance in the German residential market, which has a significant vacancy rate below 1%.
Tenant Protection
High-rise developments can lead to increased rents and reduced tenant protection, calling into question the CDU's rejection of tightening tenancy laws and their willingness to discuss rent caps.
CDU's Justification for High-Rise Construction
Urban Planning
The CDU might argue that high-rise developments can facilitate efficient urban planning, allowing for more people to live in a smaller area while preserving green spaces.
Economic Growth
High-rise developments can generate significant economic activity, including job creation and investment in the real estate sector.
Home Ownership
The CDU proposes measures to promote home ownership, which can be linked to high-rise developments offering more units for sale. However, these approaches might not immediately address the affordability crisis or the need for rental housing.
In conclusion, the CDU's plans for high-rise construction in Berlin face substantial environmental and economic challenges. Critics argue that sustainable, affordable, and tenant-friendly housing solutions would be more effective, while the CDU emphasizes the potential benefits of urban planning, economic growth, and home ownership.
