Continuation: Urban development and construction

Berlin has over 1.8 million dwellings (end of 1998). From 1991 to 1998, 136,000 new dwellings were completed. The highest level to date in the construction of new dwellings and the development of industrial land was reached in 1997. The unexpectedly low rate of population growth, rapid construction and a migration loss of about 100,000 inhabitants have relieved the shortage on the residential market.

New residential areas for owner-occupied houses with a garden “close to nature” have been developed on the edge of the city. The Senate provides medium-term subsidies for about 3000 dwellings per annum in owner-occupied houses, terraced houses or apartment buildings. With the aid of the federal state of Berlin, the residential property companies and associations are renovating and repairing the approximately 180,000 flats in old buildings and 273,000 flats in concrete slab buildings in East Berlin. Every year, about 1.5 billion DM is spent on repairs and on improving the quality of life in these areas. Modernisation and repair work is planned to be completed by the year 2004.