New construction in Berlin is set to become easier in the future. (File photo)
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Building in Berlin is set to become easier - and thus cheaper and faster. The Senate aims to achieve this through yet another new law.
The draft was discussed at the most recent meeting and approved. It will now be sent to the Council of Mayors for the districts' input, according to Senator for Urban Development Christian Gaebler.
The goal is to reduce construction costs and speed up construction projects, said the SPD politician. The Simplified Construction Act is a so-called omnibus bill, which amends several existing laws at once. In this case, it affects the Building Code, the Historic Preservation Act, and the Implementation Act for the Building Code. The overall goal is to lower legal standards and streamline procedures in a way that reduces construction costs and facilitates the construction of affordable housing.
The bill aims to make a number of adjustments: Among other things, an amendment to the building code is intended to make it easier to convert buildings for residential use. To this end, the legal requirements for fire, sound, and vibration protection are to be relaxed. One example of further simplifications is a lower minimum ceiling height for living spaces in attics. Additional simplifications are also planned for the building permit process. Gaebler announced that the draft bill is scheduled to be introduced in the state parliament in May.