Demolition numbers in Germany are falling: A look at the construction trends for 2025!

Demolition numbers in Germany are falling: A look at the construction trends for 2025!

On May 14, 2025, the research project "Long-Lasting Real Estate (LoLaRE" at the Technical University of Dresden, led by Prof. Jens Otto, presented current results on the development of demolition rates for high-rise buildings in Germany. The study, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB) as part of the Future Construction innovation program, analyzed the building demolitions between 2007 and 2021.

The report shows a significant decrease in demolitions, especially since 2018. During this period, residential demolitions fell by 36 percent and non-residential demolitions fell by 19 percent. On average, almost 12,000 buildings were demolished every year, with the majority of demolished residential buildings being built between 1949 and 1978. Interestingly, 17 percent of the buildings demolished were less than 43 years old.

Reasons for the decline in demolitions

The main reasons for demolitions concern both the creation of new residential buildings and the conversion of land into open space. In order to better understand the decision-making processes for or against demolition, expert surveys were carried out. Various factors were identified that promote the preservation of buildings, such as monument protection and preservation of existing buildings. On the other hand, building regulations and economic considerations often influence the decision to demolish.

High renovation costs and low structural reserve capacities of the building are other key reasons that lead to demolitions. The analysis also showed that the ability of buildings to adapt to new requirements is a crucial aspect of longevity. Criteria such as floor heights, vertical access, load-bearing structures and load reserves play a central role here.

Sustainability through life cycle assessment

In the context of the longevity of buildings, life cycle assessment is also becoming increasingly important. This evaluates greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle of a building - from production to disposal. Experts argue that the observation period for residential buildings, which is usually 50 years, is often considered too short. A recent study found the longevity of brick construction to exceed 50 years. This underlines the need to adapt regulatory requirements to the sustainable properties of long-lasting construction methods.

In 2022, around 19.5 million residential buildings were recorded in Germany, housing around 41.9 million residential units. Over two thirds of the buildings that are more than 50 years old were constructed of brick. This construction method not only shows a long service life, but also a high residual usage potential, which should have been taken into account in existing regulations since 2012.

The BBSR and life cycle assessment

The Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research (BBSR) plays a key role in building life cycle assessment. Life cycle assessment has been established as a central instrument for sustainability assessment in the building sector. It supports the identification of ecological influences and helps with the selection of ecologically suitable materials. The online database ÖKOBAUDAT offers specific data and promotes transparency in life cycle assessment.

In summary, the results of the study show the importance of the longevity and adaptability of buildings for sustainable urban and building planning. The findings open up new perspectives for reducing building demolitions and creating long-lasting, flexible-use structures that meet the challenges of the future.

For further information on the demolition numbers in Germany and the results of the research project, you can view the full reports on the website of the Technical University of Dresden: TU Dresden, as well as information on life cycle assessment in the building sector: Federal Association of the German Brick Industry and BBSR.