Overworked architect voices issues about insufficient staff and excessive red tape
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In a recent inauguration ceremony for the expansion of the Finsing School in Erding, architect Markus Heilmaier expressed concerns about the increasing problems in the construction industry. Heilmaier, known for his work in the field, criticized the "overwhelming bureaucracy" and "regulatory madness" that he believes are hindering progress in construction.
Heilmaier also pointed to a "blank labor shortage" as a significant issue, stating that it is worsening and impacting housing construction notably. According to a report, 36% of firms in Germany reported skilled labor shortages as of 2022, driven by an aging workforce and high demand for housing[1]. This shortage contributes to delays and a gap between housing supply and demand, as Germany aims to build 400,000 new apartments annually but achieved only 250,000 in 2023[1][2].
Construction investment and new residential construction orders are declining, with residential building orders falling nearly 20% in 2023[4]. Employment growth in construction has stalled and is expected not to rise further in 2024, signaling persistent workforce issues.
To address the shortage and housing crisis, Germany is pushing innovative solutions. Prefabrication and digital workflows are increasingly being adopted, moving much of the construction process off-site into factories. This method requires fewer skilled workers on-site and allows faster, safer assembly by smaller teams aided by automation[1]. Prefab construction now represents 23% of new residential building and is growing as a labor-efficient solution.
The federal government is also planning to streamline construction permitting through new legislation (§ 246e in the Building Code) that allows local authorities to fast-track or bypass some planning restrictions to accelerate construction projects[3]. This aims to reduce lengthy approval delays that compound labor and supply shortages.
Moreover, the government is prioritizing housing in its 2026 budget to support increased construction activity, recognizing that resolving labor shortages also requires financial and regulatory support to stimulate industry growth and innovation[3].
Despite these efforts, Heilmaier questioned where the trained workers are, stating that talk alone has not resolved the issue. He called for team spirit to be strengthened again, as he lamented the loss of camaraderie in construction, where planners, engineers, and builders once worked together. He noted that there is little communication in Bavarian construction sites, but that communication can still occur through hand and foot gestures.
Heilmaier expressed worry about the current state of construction, where everyone is only looking out for their own interests. He stated that in the past, there was no paper between the builder and the client, and this is still the case today.
As the construction industry continues to grapple with these challenges, local areas like Erding and Finsing will be influenced by these broader frameworks, especially as Bavaria’s construction labor market and housing demands align with national trends.
References:
[1] Deutsche Welle. (2022, November 14). Germany's construction industry faces skilled labor shortage. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-construction-industry-faces-skilled-labor-shortage/a-62029076
[2] Statista. (2023). Number of new apartments built in Germany from 2000 to 2023. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1039154/number-of-new-apartments-built-in-germany/
[3] Bundesministerium für Bau, Wohnungswesen und Städtebau. (2022, September 29). Bauen und Wohnen 2026: Bevorzugte Maßnahmen. Retrieved from https://www.bmbw.de/redaktion/news/2022/bauen-und-wohnen-2026-bevorzugte-massnahmen/
[4] Statista. (2023). Residential building orders in Germany from 2010 to 2023. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1039156/residential-building-orders-in-germany/
- The German government is prioritizing financing to support increased construction activity in an attempt to address the labor shortage and housing crisis in the industry.
- The ongoing issues in the construction industry, such as the labor shortage and regulatory problems, are negatively impacting the growth of the manufacturing sector, particularly housing construction, in Germany.
