The Federation of German Cities and Municipalities has broadly welcomed the amendment to the Building Code, which was approved by the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday. According to President Ralph Spiegler, speaking to the “Rheinische Post” construction and development in Germany must continue to accelerate.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need to strengthen the powers of local municipalities within urban planning law. Spiegler supported suggestions such as expanding communal pre-purchase rights, simplifying environmental reviews, and achieving the complete digitalization of development plan procedures. He also endorsed the improved incorporation of climate protection and climate adaptation into urban planning, alongside better municipal tools to address deteriorated, abandoned properties.
However, Spiegler criticized the newly established time limits for planning procedures. He stated that the proposal to complete development plan processes within a two-year period is “not appropriate”. While the legislator’s intention to speed up procedures is understandable, Spiegler noted that local urban planning processes are routinely governed by complex legal demands that cannot be easily accelerated by the municipalities themselves.
Specific needs, such as environmental impact assessments, pollution control queries, traffic infrastructure reviews, and legacy contamination checks, often require complex examination and balancing of interests. In this context, a two-year deadline appears detached from practical realities. The Federation’s president criticized the ruling, stating that this sets expectations that municipalities simply cannot be expected to meet on their own.
