Network for secure and affordable Housing

Interview with Jost Riecke and Ronald Meißner

The housing sector associations in Sangerhausen accompanied IBA as members of the steering committee and also offered practical and organisational assistance on the ground. What characterises Sangerhausen?

Jost Riecke: Sangerhausen was the only IBA city to select a topic belonging specifically to the housing sector, and we have assumed a kind of patronage. In addition to Stendal and Wolfen, Sangerhausen was, at the end of the nineteen nineties, one of our pilot cities for urban redevelopment where demolitions were carried out, initially without subsidisation programme. This was backed by the insight that demolition would be unavoidable faced with the numerous vacant apartments.

Ronald Meißner: We consider classic urban redevelopment to be demolition and gentrification and are pleased that, faced with the great difference in IBA topics, Sangerhausen at least is tackling the root of this process.

However, the protagonists are not limiting themselves to the roots; they are undertaking more.

Jost Riecke: There is a very close correlation between the future of the city and the future of housing. There are intact networks for this in Sangerhausen, without which success cannot be achieved. It is simply phenomenal how we succeeded in incorporating the different legitimate, but certainly own interests of the protagonists beneath this overall social goal. And so the considerations are stretching to how a residential location can be made attractive for the next 20 to 30 years. For the medium to low-income groups also. These factors include a good neighbourhood, freedom from barriers and other aspects that enable an ageing population to live in a trusted community for a long time.

The two housing companies joined up with social associations as partners in order to cater to this aspect of housing. To what extent do you believe that this cooperation will stand the test of time?

Jost Riecke: This kind of cooperation and even larger networks are necessary so as to make housing good, secure and affordable. For a city, good housing is an important soft location factor. And in order to preserve it, we need protagonists that do not simply look after the housing as a property, but also the social environment in the widest sense. The neighbourhood must function and cannot fall to pieces if people are to feel comfortable in their apartments.

Ronald Meißner: On the other hand, urban redevelopment can only be successful if the housing sector is accepted and recognised as an important partner. Large structures are favourable in this.

As associations, what conclusions do you draw from IBA Sangerhausen?

Ronald Meißner: Urban redevelopment in total is a success story, and it is good that it will continue until at least 2016. Sangerhausen hoisted its own britches to tackle the problem of vacancies, the necessity of demolition and also accompanying measures. The process in this is continual and uniquely complex; it proves conclusively that urban redevelopment works. The framework for continuation beyond 2010 must be right, of course. As associations and companies, we naturally expect that at least the budget funds promised to date will also be available. Additionally, it is important to clarify quickly how to deal with the inherited debts after 2010. If they stick with the companies, there will be no further demolishing despite vacancies.

That sounds like everything is a question of money…

Ronald Meißner: Yes. Urban redevelopment just does not work without public sector funding. But our own initiative on the ground is just as important. Sangerhausen proves: despite very different opinions, it promises success if you get as many protagonists as possible involved. Although it may be true that everyone will pursue their own, also commercial interests, they still will not lose sight of their neighbours and the bigger picture. Today, urban redevelopment may mean economic losses, but a profit for the day after tomorrow. It must therefore be clear that the results of the urban redevelopment process can only be considered in the medium-term.