German states Hamburg and Brandenburg advance building reforms for heat transition

Hamburg is continuing its own approach to modernising existing buildings as part of the nation’s heat transition, demanding greater flexibility from the federal government. The city’s coalition, consisting of the SPD, Greens and CDU, argues that the current framework should allow more rapid retrofitting and energy‑saving upgrades.

In Brandenburg, the governing coalition of the SPD and CDU plans to amend the building code by removing the mandatory installation of solar panels on new residential projects. The change, promoted under the “Bauturbo” initiative, aims to speed up the construction of new homes and renovations by reducing regulatory burdens.

Both states are seeking to adapt building regulations to accelerate housing supply while supporting climate goals, albeit through different measures – Hamburg by seeking more autonomy for modernization, and Brandenburg by easing solar‑panel requirements.