Union Pushes to Ease Use of Idle Railway Land for Housing Amid Shortage

A new proposal aims to relax strict laws that prevent the development of unused railway areas, as Germany faces a housing crisis.

Germany's housing shortage has prompted the Union to propose a law easing the conversion of unused railway land for housing projects.
Current legislation only allows railway land repurposing for projects of 'overriding public interest,' hindering housing development.
The Union's proposal seeks to address the rejection of over 150 applications for land conversion by the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt.
Critics argue the current law hampers urban development, with key projects in cities like Berlin and Stuttgart facing delays.
The Ampel parties are working on a Modern Rail Law, with expectations for a cabinet decision by the end of the year.