Petition to Change Construction Laws
– a good idea?

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I guess in your European country you have similar laws and problems as we have here in Germany. It is much the same in Spain and the UK, but let me explain…

Is your law similar?

There are building laws and town planners have to see that they are carried out. All buildings must first be approved based on architects plans and if it does not fit the town planners concept then it will not be built (lobbying and corruption aside).

Do you have this problem?

Most of the housing that is built these days is far too expensive for the average person. My son has a good job but very high rents in the city, so he will never be able to save enough to buy a house. They are too expensive and the down payment is too high. He is one of many. But there are many more people, families, who earn much less and have to struggle to feed their children and pay their rent and have no money left for a holiday. They all deserve a better life. So! Why do our governments not help them? If they did, they would get a lot more votes in the next election!

There is a simple solution.

Town and country planning permission needs to be simplified with a new set of guidelines. When a developer applies for planning permission, they must show that their architectural plans include the following…

at least 33% of their planned housing (appartments & houses) must be affordable for the less privileged – social housing.
the second 33% of their housing must be planned for the better paid workers . These are not rich people. This housing must be affordable to the everyday family.
And the remaining third can be luxury homes at various levels for the wealthy to the extremely rich.
AND… all housing must be designed and built using renewable, sustainable energy systems.

This could mean that these upper class construction companies may have to combine their plans with companies more familiar with low-cost construction. It could also spark new ideas about how to build more economical houses and apartments.