Renovation without renoviction: the green redevelopment of a municipal housing estate in Drewitz, Germany

In this paper I discuss a case of ‘green’ redevelopment of a social housing complex in former East Germany, and unpack the key elements that have led to its comprehensive regeneration without widespread negative social externalities. In Drewitz, a former GDR housing estate in the Berlin/Brandenburg metropolitan region, it has been possible to preserve existing social housing units, achieve high standards of energy efficiency, expand public green space and provide improved opportunities for education and health. I identify the key factors that have enabled this ‘renovation without renoviction’: 1) redevelopment has been undertaken by a municipal housing company under public control; 2) the scheme has benefited from EU, national and local funding; 3) phased retrofit has made the scheme financially viable, while reducing the incidence of forced relocations; 4) community participation has led to greater acceptance and buy-in of the plan. Based on in-depth interviews with longstanding residents and local stakeholders, I assess the community’s response to the regeneration plan.