The SPD in the Bundestag wants to oppose the desertification of inner cities in Germany with a bundle of proposals. It should be examined how the federal government could take action against speculative vacancies in department stores, for example, according to a position paper from the SPD parliamentary group, which is available to the German Press Agency in Berlin and which was first reported by the newspapers of the Funke media group (Tuesday).
Today, there are legal hurdles preventing a greater mix of uses in inner cities, such as building regulations or noise protection measures, according to the SPD parliamentary group. Among other things, building law should be amended so that its instruments can be used more effectively for inner city development. The SPD parliamentary group is also calling for targeted funding for the conversion of vacant properties by companies, craft trades, cultural and educational institutions, as well as the approval of apartments in inner cities. The municipal right of first refusal should also be expanded. The housing policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Bernhard Daldrup, told the newspapers of the Funke media group: “The future of our inner cities is at stake.” (dpa)