Altenburg is fighting against the collapse of the population dam: trial living is the trend!

Altenburg is fighting against the collapse of the population dam: trial living is the trend!

In Altenburg, a city that is struggling to cope with demographic change, there are considerations about adopting the concept of “trial living” in order to attract new residents. According to current figures from 2024, the city has just 31,093 inhabitants, the lowest number since the 19th century. Experts expect a long-term decline in the population, which will also affect other cities in eastern Germany, such as Eisenhüttenstadt, Görlitz and Guben. These cities have already experimented with successful trial housing programs to counteract population decline, with Eisenhüttenstadt particularly standing out with around 2,000 interested people from all over the world, like lvz.de reported.

The trial living, which has existed since 2015, is particularly popular in Görlitz. It primarily attracts families and older people looking for a quiet way of life. The city of Guben has also introduced such a program, which allows those interested to live for up to a month for 100 euros per week. The aim of this program is to encourage people to settle in the region for the long term. Last year, six of 30 participants moved permanently to Guben, where 16,600 people currently live - half of the previous population 30 years ago. Anika Franze, who manages the trial living in Guben, emphasizes that the quiet life there is a big advantage, as dw.com reports to me.

Challenges and skepticism

However, in Altenburg there are reservations about its own trial housing program. Matthias Blättner from Stadtwerke Altenburg expresses concerns about legal challenges and possible risks for landlords. Thomas Nündel from AWG is also skeptical and fears that the concept could potentially attract the wrong tenants. Nevertheless, the city of Altenburg sees potential in the idea and plans to discuss the topic in discussions with housing cooperatives. Marcel Schmidt, the city's deputy press spokesman, confirms that the discussion about trial living will continue, although there is still no concrete plan as to how [lvz.de].

Demographic change not only affects Altenburg, but also runs as a common thread through many eastern German cities. Large urban housing developments, once both modern and attractive, have often acquired a stamp of stigmatization. Research projects such as “StadtumMig” deal with these developments and attempt to grasp the challenges of change. A look at history shows how these regions are changing and what roles the housing industry and integration policy measures play in this, as explained in a Leibniz-IRS report.

Overall, it remains to be seen whether Altenburg will dare to take the bold step of launching its own trial housing program. The hope for new residents and a breath of fresh air is there - now it's time to dispel the concerns and take the right steps.