“Einstürzende Neubauten”: What opportunities are there in the construction crisis? What answers are provided by left housing policy?

New construction is collapsing: we are experiencing a historic market failure, but the tenants’ movement and the left have long ignored the issue of new construction. Answers of our own are needed. But what could they look like?

At the beginning of the workshop, the two organizers will give a brief introduction to the topic: What is the situation in new housing construction? Why is new construction going down? Why should the movement and the left be interested in this at all? Can ambitious municipal, non-profit housing construction programs that focus on socio-ecological qualities be an answer to the crisis?

Afterwards, three speakers will each be asked to provide brief introductory inputs and their perspectives on "new construction from the left" and the specific role of municipal housing companies and cooperatives. After comprehension questions, a fishbowl discussion will open up the round. The discussion will be moderated by Philipp and Niklas and a few key questions will be put to the discussion.

The aim is to record various perspectives and results at the end of the workshop: Is it programmatically worthwhile to continue working on "new construction from the left"? If so, how and with whom? What alliances are conceivable? What programmatic priorities could strengthen the movement and left-wing actors?

Workshop organizers

Niklas Schenker, Member of the Abgeordnetenhaus (Berlin Parliament), Die Linke parliamentary group.
Philipp Möller, active with the Berliner MieterGemeinschaft, writes for Jacobin, Jungle World, MieterEcho and others.
Together they run the podcast "Schöner Wohnen - Der Podcast zur Wohnungsfrage".