Potsdam starts construction turbo: Fast living space for everyone!

Potsdam starts construction turbo: Fast living space for everyone!

A lot is happening in the area of ​​housing construction in Potsdam! On October 30, 2025, the amendment to the Building Code came into force, which is intended to ensure rapid progress in construction projects, particularly through the new Section 246e BauGB, also known as Bauturbo. This scheme was introduced to address the urgent shortage of affordable housing that exists in many urban areas. This positive development is being welcomed with open arms by the Potsdam administration Potsdam.de reported.

As part of the upcoming city council meeting, a fundamental decision on the application of a new approval procedure (Section 36a BauGB) is pending. Bernd Rubelt, councilor for urban development, and Erik Wolfram, head of the urban planning department, have already informed the committee for urban development, building and rural development about the details. The new legislation gives the Potsdam administration the opportunity to make independent decisions on municipally approved projects, which significantly speeds up the process.

Optimized approval processes

In the future, builders will be required to start construction within three years of approval. The aim of this is to ensure that urgently needed apartments are realized as quickly as possible. For projects with six or more residential units, 30 percent of the living space must also be built with rent and occupancy restrictions. This ensures that not only construction takes place, but also that the balance for the residents is maintained.

For projects with 20 or more residential units, it should also be examined whether additional places in daycare centers or primary schools are needed in the area. These additional burdens must then be financed by the project sponsors. A step that shows that Potsdam has the needs of its citizens in mind BMWSB determines.

A step in the right direction

The legislature has already announced that the regulations for determining noise protection will be simplified and that instruments to strengthen the rental housing stock will be extended for a limited period of time. These changes are part of the Pact for Planning, Approval and Implementation Acceleration, which was adopted on November 6, 2023. This shows that the new federal government is determined to take action to address the housing shortage.

The implementation of these laws was progressed quickly: the draft law was passed by the Federal Cabinet on June 18, 2025, and the German Bundestag adopted the draft in two readings on October 9, 2025. The Federal Council did not lodge an objection on October 17, 2025, which underlines the speedy process.

With the adjustments to the building code, Potsdam shows that there is a clear plan to create more living space and at the same time ensure the quality of life in the city. Citizens can be excited to see what the next few months will bring and whether housing construction has finally hit its stride!