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Baukultur in Germany
Article Building & Housing
The Federal Government has taken diverse measures to promote a wide-ranging dialogue in society on issues of Baukultur and to establish specific framework conditions for Baukultur in Germany.
The Federal Government plays a central role in Baukultur, that is, the production of the built environment and how we interact with it, including planning, building, remodelling and conservation. As a model, partner and provider of funding, the Federal Government works within the framework of its assigned responsibilities to exert a positive influence on the quality of the built and spatial environment in Germany, through regulatory measures, funding and its own building projects. The Federal Government has put in place a number of measures to strengthen Baukultur in Germany.
Measures to strengthen Baukultur
The Federal Government works within the framework of its assigned responsibilities to strengthen Baukultur in Germany, among other things by commissioning research projects and organizing expert conferences. It also provides significant support for the Federal Foundation for Baukultur (Bundesstiftung Baukultur) and works closely with the Foundation on all relevant issues. The Federal Government is also responsible for federal building projects, including the programme for art in architecture.
Another task is improving the conditions for planning professions and promoting Baukultur in the national and international context. The Federal Government also initiated the Council of Experts for the International Building Exhibitions (IBA). With the IBA website (www.internationale-bauausstellungen.de) and various conference and network formats, the Federal Government is raising the profile and enhancing the international prestige of the IBA brand as a model for architectural experimentation in Germany.
Architectural design competitions are another important component. In its building projects, the Federation promotes planning culture by conducting – preferably open – architectural design competitions whenever appropriate, as such competitions help achieve a high quality of architectural and urban design.
Federal law and regulations promote the aims of Baukultur as well. In order to establish Baukultur throughout Germany, especially in smaller cities and in rural areas, the Federation supports and recognizes good examples and achievements in this area.
The Federal Foundation for Baukultur is an independent and active platform for issues of architecture and Baukultur. It is an advocate for thoughtful, high-quality planning and construction. The Foundation is based in Potsdam and was instituted by federal law on 22 December 2006. The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community provides institutional support for the Foundation and works closely with it on all issues related to Baukultur. The Foundation regularly holds a convention which brings together all key stakeholders in the fields of construction and planning in Germany. Its next convention will be held in Potsdam on 23 and 24 June 2020.
The Foundation publishes a report on Baukultur every two years. The current report for 2018/2019, “Heritage – Presence – Future”, is devoted to our built heritage and the challenges for the future viability of our designed environment. Among other things, the report addresses measures to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings and infrastructure, in particular those from the era of postwar modernism, as a major construction task in the coming years. The report is intended to lay the groundwork for a dialogue on good practices for better Baukultur in Germany. It examines expectations and estimates of the social value of Baukultur along with areas of action and instruments which could be relevant for improving quality of life in cities and towns.
Current challenges
Baukultur has taken on a new dimension and urgency in the context of refugee movements and immigration, the shift to sustainable energy and the growing need for affordable building and housing. The Federation must pay special attention to Baukultur not only in cities, but also in towns and rural areas and with regard to infrastructure.
The current challenge is to build housing quickly which is not only affordable, but also of good quality. This is where Baukultur plays a key role. Germany needs decent housing in attractive neighbourhoods where people enjoy living and getting together. Despite the current housing policy challenges, we must not lose sight of the goal of balanced and sustainable urban development with an emphasis on high-quality Baukultur.
