Hamburg Introduces 'Hamburg Standard' to Cut Housing Construction Costs by a Third

The new initiative aims to revive the city's stalled housing market by reducing building standards and streamlining processes.

Hamburg's housing construction has slowed significantly, with only 6,000 units built in 2023 compared to 9,000 in 2022, due to rising costs.
The 'Hamburg Standard' proposes cost-saving measures like reducing technical and building standards, including fewer requirements for soundproofing and accessibility.
The initiative, developed by over 200 experts, identifies potential savings of up to €2,000 per square meter, aiming to lower rents to around €12 per square meter.
Streamlined processes, such as faster permit approvals and simplified planning, are expected to save an additional €400 per square meter.
Pilot projects across Hamburg will test the proposed measures, which are designed to balance affordability with quality and sustainability.