Building and Housing
The quality of German building enjoys an excellent international reputation. The construction, housing and property industries form a key sector for growth and employment. With a workforce of around 3.8 million and gross value added of 400 billion euros, it is among the most important sectors of the economy in Germany.
"Conversion to meet the Needs of the Elderly"
Who doesn't want to live in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible and grow old there? But as people get older, their housing requirements change significantly. "Conversion to meet the Needs of the Elderly" provides financial assistance to people wishing to adapt their home to make it more suitable for elderly persons.
My house is my filling station
In October 2011, as part of its building and electric mobility research, the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development will begin with the construction of the follow-up model of the plus energy house which combines building and transport.
Existing Low-Energy Houses
As part of the project "Existing Low-Energy Houses", a total of 143 buildings have been or are being modernised to an exemplary level of energy performance. These buildings modernised as "low-energy houses" are on average around 50 percent more energy-efficient than is required of comparable new buildings by the Energy Conservation Regulations (EnEV). The modernisation draws on energy-efficient construction methods as well as urban planning experience with sustainable modernisation of residential buildings.
Federal Government housing assistance
Ensuring appropriate housing provision requires not only the regulatory framework governing the housing markets, but also various housing policy funding instruments.
Building culture / Baukultur
Baukultur describes how the built environment is created and how society deals with it. It includes planning, building and maintenance. Baukultur is not limited to architecture alone. It also includes civil engineering services, urban and regional planning, landscape architecture, heritage conservation and art for public buildings.
The Federal Government as contracting authority
The public contracting authority has a special responsibility; its buildings are very much in the public eye. The Federal Government acknowledges its obligation to set an example as a client. In addition to meeting functional, safety and cost-effectiveness requirements, the Federal Government's buildings also reflect other important building policy goals.