MunicipalLegal situation in NRW-The draft law on securing housing

The current situation on the housing market is tense: Construction costs are rising, new construction activity is declining and there is a lack of affordable housing in many cities. At the same time, local authorities feel increasingly responsible for creating housing quickly - but often encounter lengthy planning and approval procedures in the process.

This results in a tense relationship: cities and municipalities need legal instruments in order to be able to react more quickly; at the same time, the legally secure framework for construction planning and participation should be maintained.

Legislators have recognised this challenge and passed the Act to Accelerate Housing Construction and Secure Housing („Bauturbo“) on 30 October 2025. Among other things, the law provides for procedural simplifications in construction planning law and new opportunities for local authorities to create building law more quickly. We would like to inform you about the individual regulations and the potential they offer for local authorities - and discuss them with you!