Fight against vacancy: ideas for lively communities on the Middle Rhine!

Fight against vacancy: ideas for lively communities on the Middle Rhine!

In the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the problem of vacancy is increasingly becoming a challenge, as an investigation by the University of Koblenz shows. 3,400 buildings were analyzed in the municipalities of Bacharach, Oberwesel, St. Goar and St. Goarshausen. Around every tenth house in these places is empty or is only partially used, which is significantly above the average value in Germany, reports Tagesschau.de .

An alarming result of the survey shows that 61% of the empty buildings are in great need of renovation. In addition, the majority, specifically 82%, come from the unused real estate from the period before 1950. These findings illustrate the challenges associated with the vacancy. While the frequency of such urban gaps in the town center is particularly noticeable, the emigration of young people and the aging society is to be mentioned as the main cause.

incentives for nine use

In order to counteract this negative development, Mayor Falco Hönisch would like to create incentives to combat vacancy. For example, the support of a hotel company in St. Goar is specified in applications and permits. This intervention could attract potential investors and contribute to revitalization in the long term. The Federal Garden Show 2029 is also seen as an opportunity to bring about positive changes in the region.

An idea that is discussed is the creation of living space for students in St. Goar, which is only 25 minutes away from Koblenz. This could not only reduce the vacancy figures, but also increase the attractiveness of the region for young people. The citizen scientists who are involved in the project bring further ideas to combat vacancy. These include the use of empty buildings for art exhibitions or co-working spaces.

creative approaches and future visions

A visibly active player in the area of ​​the combination of vacancy is Felix Grün, the first wine king on the Middle Rhine. He plans to open a vinotheque in an empty building in St. Goar. Grün sees a significant opportunity in the Federal Garden Show 2029 and is optimistic about the success of his company.

Overall, the problem of vacancy is seen not only in individual communities, but regionally as part of a larger trend. Significant factors are structural defects, difficulties in renting and unexplained ownership. These aspects not only affect the local real estate market, but also illustrate the structural challenges with which the region is confronted. According to the study by the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research, many cities in Germany are increasingly affected by vacancy, especially in shrinkage regions, which requires long-term perspectives for real estate markets, such as merkurist.de and bbsr.bund.de note.