Essen

Country

Population

590,695

Renting

3 Things...

1. Essen was designated a European Capital of Culture in 2010, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene, which includes numerous museums, theaters, and events throughout the year. 2. The city is home to the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which was once one of the largest coal mines in the world and is now a symbol of industrial heritage, featuring museums and cultural institutions. 3. Essen has a unique culinary tradition that includes dishes such as "Currywurst" and "Pfefferpotthast," showcasing the city's local ingredients and traditional German cuisine, often enjoyed in its many local eateries and markets.

Inspiring Projects

Qville

Unlisted Orgs

Population (AI)

583,109

Enrich by AI!

Last edited

Sep 30, 2024 6:49 PM

Category

Local programs

Housing Market

The city of Essen in Europe is currently experiencing a housing crisis, characterized by a shortage of affordable housing and rising rents. Approximately 30% of EU residents, including those in Essen, rent their apartments, while the remaining 70% own their homes. The city faces challenges such as high demand for housing, particularly in urban areas, and limited availability of affordable options. This has led to overcrowding, with about 17% of residents living in overcrowded conditions. To address these issues, Essen, like other European cities, has implemented various measures. These include housing allowances, social rental housing, and rent regulations to ensure affordable housing options. Additionally, the city focuses on increasing the supply of social housing, which constitutes a significant portion of the total housing stock in countries like the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark. Efforts to support affordable housing also involve public, cooperative, and social housing providers, policymakers, and researchers advocating for a new housing paradigm and addressing the root causes of housing exclusion.

Further Actors?

Cooperatives

Housing cooperatives in Essen, Germany, play a significant role in providing affordable housing and managing residential properties. These cooperatives are part of a broader trend in Germany where they have been in high demand, especially in large metropolises. The city of Essen, like other major German cities, benefits from the cooperative model, which offers stability, affordability, and democratic participation for residents. While specific data on the market share of housing cooperatives in Essen is not provided, it is known that housing cooperatives in Germany as a whole manage 2.2 million apartments, housing five million people, with one in ten rental apartments being part of a cooperative. New housing cooperatives have emerged in recent years, reflecting a renaissance of the cooperative idea. For instance, the Baakendocks project in Hafencity, managed by traditional cooperatives and newer ones like Baugemeinschaft Tor zur Welt, exemplifies the trend of cooperative housing in urban areas. The city promotes cooperative housing by supporting new projects and collaborations between traditional cooperatives and smaller building communities. This cooperation allows for the development of large-scale projects that are financially viable in competitive markets. The city's support for cooperative housing is part of a broader strategy to address housing shortages and provide affordable housing options.