Affordable housing expansion underway in Munich as investor faces backlash: investor justifies construction plans
Munich's Eggarten Settlement: The Ongoing Controversy
By: Andreas Daschner
The green Eggarten settlement, long plagued by residential protests, is about to witness the construction of around 900 affordable apartments. One of the investors, CA Immo Deutschland GmbH, has taken a stand against the criticism and voiced its stance. Munich city maintains responsibility for the land development process.
The Green Belt Dilemma
Markus Diekow, representing CA Immo, a real estate powerhouse, stands firm, emphasizing the dire need for apartments in Munich. Diekow, prioritizing densification, views moving to the green belt as an undesirable alternative. CA Immo, in collaboration with Büschl Unternehmensgruppe and GIMA Munich eG, are developing the project.
Of the projected 1,850 apartments, Diekow claims more than half will be affordably priced, with 15% destined for neighbors. The cooperative model ensures affordability, with the cooperatives represented by GIMA set to acquire plots and construct the apartments.
The Info Stand Conundrum
Diekow expresses puzzlement regarding critics' accounts of the CA Immo info stand for the project, Mariannenplatz. He asserts that they met with more than 200 visitors and encountered a generally positive expectation. CA Immo is unfazed by vocal opposition at the stand.
The worries of opponents that CA Immo may sell the apartments post-construction and leave behind an abandoned wasteland are dismissed by Diekow. Despite CA Immo not directly owning apartments, the company sells them in such projects. Municipal planning obligations are transferred to the new owner, ensuring that maintenance and other civic responsibilities are upheld. Moreover, the cooperatives will hold a significant portion of the apartments, ensuring their long-term commitment to the development.
Uncompromising Opposition
Diekow welcomes a roundtable discussion with all parties, as demanded by the critics. However, he views the critics as adopting a maximalist stance. "Everything should stay as it is," Diekow notes, indicating the importance of compromise in achieving agreement.
Beyond The Borders
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Controls and Acquiescence
CA Immo is likely standing its ground due to several factors common in urban development disputes. Business interests, regulatory frameworks, community relations, and the affordable housing debate could influence the company's response. Misunderstandings or activism may also play a role in the controversy. Whilst CA Immo appears open to dialogue, the company may be trying to counter misinformation and argue its case as a solution to Munich's chronic housing shortage.
- Markus Diekow, representing CA Immo, a significant player in the real estate market, believes that the construction of affordable apartments in the Eggarten Settlement is necessary due to Munich's housing shortage.
- CA Immo and its collaborators, Büschl Unternehmensgruppe and GIMA Munich eG, are developing the project, with more than half of the 1,850 apartments to be priced affordably, including 15% for the neighbors.
- Critics' accounts of CA Immo's info stand for the project at Mariannenplatz have been questioned by Diekow, who claims they encountered a generally positive expectation from more than 200 visitors.
- CA Immo, while open to a roundtable discussion with critics, suggests that some opponents adopt a maximalist stance, implying a need for compromise in finding a resolution, especially considering the ongoing debate and policy-and-legislation surrounding affordable housing and urban development in the context of Munich's housing market and politics.
