Berlin’s affordable housing plans at Molkenmarkt face critical design flaws
A new study has raised concerns over Berlin’s plans for affordable housing at Molkenmarkt. The research, led by the initiative Offene Mitte Berlin, suggests that current urban design guidelines may block subsidised apartments in key blocks. Developers warn that without changes, political promises for affordable homes could go unfulfilled.
The issue centres on Blocks B8 to B13, where strict rules on building widths and maisonette layouts clash with subsidy requirements. Under the existing guidelines, no apartments in these blocks would qualify for funding. This contradiction threatens to exclude affordable housing despite Berlin’s commitments.
The initiative, backed by developer TAG Immobilien AG, tested a more flexible approach. By adjusting the guidelines, they found that 24 to 27 subsidised units could be built. The problem, they argue, lies not with subsidy rules but with the rigid application of planning restrictions. The debate comes as Berlin launches the second design competition for Molkenmarkt. Officials are seeking proposals that balance mixed-use development, economic feasibility, and the area’s historic character. The historic Plattenbauten in this part of Berlin-Mitte are slated for demolition or conversion in 2025, adding urgency to the discussions. A decision on the initiative’s recommendations will shape whether Molkenmarkt can deliver on its affordable housing goals. Without changes, the study warns, the project risks failing to meet its social housing targets.
The findings put pressure on Berlin’s planners to rethink the guidelines. If adopted, the proposed adjustments could unlock subsidised housing in the quarter. The outcome will determine whether Molkenmarkt sets a precedent for affordable urban development or falls short of its ambitions.
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