kathimerini.gr
Surge in Greek Housing Construction Volume in September 2024 Amidst Anticipation of Supreme Court Ruling
Greek housing construction saw a surge in buildable area and volume in September 2024, despite a near-stagnant number of permits issued, likely due to builders trying to utilize "bonuses" from the new building code (NOK) before an October Supreme Court ruling.
- What was the impact of the potential Supreme Court ruling on Greek housing construction activity in September 2024?
- In September 2024, Greek housing construction saw a surge in buildable area and volume, despite a near-stagnant number of permits. This suggests that builders rushed to secure permits using "bonuses" from the new building code (NOK) before a Supreme Court ruling in October. In Attica, permits increased by 3.4%, while buildable area jumped 29.3% and volume surged 99.1%.
- What vulnerabilities in the Greek housing regulatory framework are highlighted by the September 2024 construction data?
- The sharp increase in building volume in September 2024, exceeding the increase in permits, suggests a calculated risk by developers to leverage the NOK bonuses before the Supreme Court decision. This behavior reveals a vulnerability in the regulatory framework and a tendency to exploit legal loopholes for increased profitability. Future policy should address these loopholes to ensure more balanced growth.
- How did the increase in building volume and area in September 2024 in Attica compare to the increase in the number of permits?
- The September 2024 data reveals a strategic response by developers to maximize building potential before potential legal challenges. The significant increase in buildable area and volume despite a minimal rise in permit numbers points to exploitation of the NOK bonuses. This contrasts with August's figures, where permit increases were not matched by volume increases, indicating a shift in strategy in September.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the sharp increase in building volume and surface area in September, suggesting a deliberate rush to secure permits before the court ruling. The headline (if present) likely would reinforce this interpretation. The sequencing, starting with the conclusion of builders' intent, guides the reader toward this interpretation.
Language Bias
The language is largely neutral, using quantitative data to support its claims. However, phrases such as "rush to secure permits" and "risked issuing permits" could be considered slightly loaded, implying intentional behavior without definitive proof. More neutral alternatives would be: "significant increase in permit applications", and "issued permits under the new regulations.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the increase in building permits and their relation to the use of 'bonuses' under the National Town Planning and Construction Code (NOCK) in September 2024, without delving into potential counterarguments or alternative explanations for this surge. It also lacks information about the types of buildings being constructed (residential, commercial, etc.), which could offer valuable context. Further, the article doesn't mention the broader economic or political context that might influence construction activity.
False Dichotomy
The article implicitly presents a dichotomy: either builders were avoiding using the 'bonuses' (August) or they were rushing to use them before a court decision (September). This simplification ignores other factors that might influence building permit applications, creating a potentially misleading narrative.
Sustainable Development Goals
The increase in construction activity, as indicated by the rise in building permits and the volume of construction, suggests progress towards sustainable urban development. However, the article does not provide information on whether this development is sustainable in terms of environmental impact and resource use. More information is needed to fully assess this SDG.