Development for the new district of Hafner: Resistance from Constance is growing!

Development for the new district of Hafner: Resistance from Constance is growing!

Konstanz, Deutschland - in Constance is the urban development of a new district called "Hafner" in full swing. The project is to create space for up to 7,000 people and has been a central concern of the city since 2016. However, this is currently overshadowed by legal disputes about land. In particular, an owner who defends himself against the expropriation of an agricultural property provides uncertainty. So far, no legal remedies for the preliminary decision have been filed for expropriation, but the owner has time until the beginning of May to have this decision contested. The exact location of the property and the identity of the owner are not known. In addition to this case, there are already two further expropriation procedures that run as part of the Hafner project, and it is expected that an oral hearing will take place before the summer break.

The city of Constance is optimistic, however, and does not believe that the overall “Hafner” project is in danger. Those responsible do not expect delays in the schedule that provides that a statute decision for the first construction phase should be available by summer 2026. The award procedures and development measures follow before the first residents can move into the new district in 2029. Over 300 private plots have already been examined, and the majority of the owners have agreed to sell their areas voluntarily, which drives urban development in an efficient way.

expropriations as the last fund

The expropriation of the three undeveloped agricultural properties that have received approval from the Freiburg regional council is an extraordinary step. These areas, which together make up an area of ​​more than one soccer field, are central to the development of the new district. The owner had refused to sell the land, which is why the city had to fall back on expropriations. As the Tagesschau based on the development measure.

The practice of expropriation follows the provisions of the building code, which rarely apply in the area of ​​responsibility of the Freiburg regional council. This is even the first case of such an expropriation in Constance. There have also been expropriations for road construction projects in the past, but the importance of the current project raises the situation to a new level.

land policy and urban development

These developments also take a look at general land policy in German cities. The land is scarce in many urban areas, and prices are increasing steadily. According to a new study by the German Institute for Urban Studies (Difu), a more active soil policy is required to ensure social and sustainable urban development. Particularly in growing cities, municipalities have to secure areas for important infrastructure such as daycare centers and schools to ensure adequate supply for all citizens, such as Haufe reported.

The challenge of speculative price development and the guarantee of a social mix in the cities are essential questions that need to be addressed. In view of the price increases, municipalities are often unable to buy land, which is why expropriations are chosen as the last remedy in special cases. The proposal to maintain municipal property and practice concept allocation could help create a stable and regulated living space.