Federal Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Verena Hubertz (SPD), is urging municipalities to more actively adapt to the consequences of climate change driven by human activity. To support these efforts, the government is offering significant additional funding.
In an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” Hubertz stated that “Climate protection and climate adaptation are mandatory components of our funding programs for urban development”. This year, 790 million euros are being allocated for this purpose. The government plans to progressively double funding for urban development support to 1.58 billion euros by 2029. This increased investment aims to facilitate the creation of more green spaces, reduce impervious surfaces and improve water management within cities.
Furthermore, Hubertz announced that the upcoming reform of building planning laws will accelerate the climate-resilient adaptation of urban areas. The reforms are intended to integrate climate considerations more deeply into the planning process.