taz.de
Hamburg's Housing Crisis: Neglecting Repurposing and Underutilized Housing
Hamburg's housing policy prioritizes new construction over repurposing existing buildings, resulting in an inefficient use of resources, increased environmental impact, and insufficient housing supply despite the construction of 6,000 new apartments in 2023.
- How does Hamburg's focus on new construction affect its environmental goals, and what alternative strategies could be adopted?
- Focusing solely on new construction overlooks significant potential in repurposing existing buildings and addressing underutilized housing. Hamburg's low rate of repurposing (1/20) compared to the national average (1/8) reveals a systemic failure to utilize existing resources effectively, resulting in unnecessary environmental impact and increased housing costs.
- What is the most significant gap between Hamburg's approach to housing and the national average, and what are its immediate consequences?
- Hamburg built 6,000 apartments in 2023, with only 317 from repurposing existing buildings—a stark contrast to the national average where one in eight new apartments comes from repurposing. This inefficient approach exacerbates housing shortages and environmental concerns.
- What are the long-term implications of Hamburg's current housing policy on its social fabric, environment, and economy, and what innovative solutions could be implemented to address these challenges?
- Hamburg's housing policy needs a paradigm shift towards maximizing existing resources. By actively promoting and supporting initiatives like the "Secure Letting" program, Hamburg could unlock substantial housing capacity from existing properties and reduce the environmental burden of new construction, while potentially creating jobs in the renovation sector.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing consistently favors Fuhrhop's perspective. The questions are largely open-ended, allowing him to extensively elaborate on his views. The headline and subheadings aren't explicitly biased, but the focus on Fuhrhop's critique of Hamburg's housing policy shapes the narrative.
Language Bias
While largely neutral, the article uses language that subtly reinforces Fuhrhop's arguments. For example, describing the city's housing policy as a "Fixierung auf Beton," which suggests a rigid and inflexible approach, is loaded language. Phrases like "unsichtbarer Leerstand" (invisible vacancy) and "empörend" (outrageous) are emotionally charged and contribute to a biased tone.
Bias by Omission
The interview focuses heavily on the opinions and proposals of Daniel Fuhrhop, potentially omitting other perspectives on housing solutions in Hamburg. The article doesn't present counterarguments to Fuhrhop's claims regarding the environmental impact of new construction or the potential of alternative housing solutions. While acknowledging limitations of space, the lack of diverse viewpoints weakens the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between new construction and alternative solutions, oversimplifying a complex issue. Fuhrhop's strong advocacy for halting new construction and focusing solely on alternative methods ignores the potential benefits and necessity of some new housing in a growing city.