Converting historic buildings into modern living space

In the towns and villages of the district, there are large stocks of historic buildings, some of which are unused and in danger of falling into disrepair. However, urgently needed living space could be created there if investors could be found who would take up and implement such projects.

Burkhard Okel, an entrepreneur from Diemelstadt, owns several historic half-timbered buildings in the old town of Rhoden, which he is currently having renovated and converted into living space. First district councillor and head of the building department Karl-Friedrich Frese, Susanne Paulus, head of the district building department, and Antje Paul, monument conservator, were informed about the plans at a site visit.

"In principle, the upgrading of historic buildings is a good and purposeful approach," says Frese. "Something is actively being done against the desolation of town and village centres and further urban sprawl is being prevented". The creation of building plots in the outskirts of the villages is now hardly justifiable, he said, because more and more soil is sealed as a result. In addition, the entire supply and infrastructure would have to be newly created, whereas this was already available in the historic centres.

Burkhard Okel explained that his main concern was to create smaller housing units. "We often have the situation that, for example, companies or enterprises are looking for flats for trainees who come from further away; for them we would have tailor-made manageable offers". Professionals who work temporarily in the region on a project basis also prefer individual housing options instead of hotels or guesthouses. But the small units, which are fully equipped with kitchens and sanitary facilities, are also conceivable as holiday flats.

Susanne Paulus, head of the district building authority, also sees the right approach here. "Living on a small and manageable scale is the model of the future, and there are already some exemplary projects in the district. Together with heritage conservationist Antje Paul, she will work on feasible concepts for the reuse of historic buildings.

The First District Councillor pointed out that the new federal government had announced that it would launch funding programmes for the creation of affordable housing. "I will work to ensure that these funds do not only flow into the urban conurbations, but also into rural areas, where there is also a need for housing, especially for young or low-income people," promised Frese.