In several European cities, the shortage of accessible housing options remains a growing concern. To respond to this challenge, a new trend has emerged that seeks solutions outside traditional housing or apartment models.
Factories and offices transformed into homes
In the German capital, two entrepreneurs began the conversion of old factories and accessible housing buildings. The idea was born for over a decade and already housed hundreds of people, says Euronews.
The investor pair began by trying to demolish properties to create commercial spaces, but the legislation did not allow it. It was then that they decided to adapt the existing buildings.
Among the transformed properties include an old candy factory, a warehouse and the offices of the former East German Railway Company.
A model that already houses hundreds
The first project of the pair in Berlin, explains the same source, resulted in the creation of 86 apartments and commercial establishments on the ground floor. Subsequently, they turned a building of nine floors into housing.
Housing units are between 25 and 35 square meters and are mainly destined for students.
Entrepreneurs make regular visits to buildings, where corridors were decorated with works of art. The goal is to ensure that the spaces remain functional and cared for.
According to those responsible, this approach helps to resolve the dwelling scarcity faster, as the base building already exists.
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Technical and legal challenges
The biggest obstacles faced were related to fire safety and decontamination of spaces, as well as adaptation to current energy standards.
Parking places were converted into leisure zones and the building was made accessible to people with reduced mobility.
One of the positive aspects of this accessible housing trend is the possibility of taking advantage of existing and unusable spaces in peripheral zones.
However, the entrepreneurs themselves recognize that central zones are economically unfeasible for this type of conversion.
The role of bureaucracy
Bureaucracy continues to be pointed out as one of the biggest obstacles to the spread of this model. Legal requirements and process slowness make new projects difficult.
Prosecutors suggest that municipalities provide land at affordable prices and encourage public companies to bet on social housing.
The lack of predictability, associated with instability in housing policies, removes potential investors, especially private.
A model with potential
Despite the obstacles, prosecutors believe that this model can be a replicable solution in other European cities, as long as there is political will and favorable conditions, they refer to.
The approach can also represent an opportunity to rethink the use of abandoned urban heritage and avoid their progressive degradation.
In addition, this trend can foster more sustainable communities, taking advantage of existing infrastructures and reducing the need for new buildings, thus creating more affordable housing.
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