City of Germany faces imminent exhaustion of sewing capacities

In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, the city of Gelsenkirchen is grappling with a severe housing crisis. Known for its vibrant football culture, home to FC Schalke 04, this city of approximately 262,000 inhabitants is struggling to provide suitable housing for its residents.

The housing crisis in Gelsenkirchen is not unique to the city. Cities like Cologne and Duisburg also face similar challenges, with all three recording relatively low living space per housing unit compared to the surrounding cities and the country as a whole.

The average living space per dwelling in North Rhine-Westphalia stands at 92.4 square meters, but in Gelsenkirchen, this figure drops significantly to 39.4 square meters per citizen, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The city's apartments offer an average of 76.8 square meters per unit, posing particular challenges for families.

This scarcity of living space is causing discomfort for residents, who are finding it difficult to find suitable housing. The housing crisis is leading to a sense of desperation, as residents are left with few alternatives.

The housing crisis in Gelsenkirchen is contributing to the overall housing demand that the country is unable to keep up with. The situation is so dire that residents are considering moving to other areas with more living space.

In contrast, cities like Düsseldorf, with a population density of 2,846 inhabitants per square kilometer within an area of 217.41 square kilometers, offer a more spacious living environment, with an average living space per inhabitant of about 42.38 square meters at the end of 2023.

Even in neighbouring Bavaria, the average living space per unit is higher at 100 square meters, highlighting the pronounced difference in living conditions between regions.

The housing crisis in Gelsenkirchen is a critical issue for the people who live there. As the city struggles to add new properties to its housing stock in recent years, finding a solution to this pressing problem becomes increasingly urgent.