The contents of this page are also available in an other language. Do you want to change the language? Deutsch English This website contains information on countries and markets. For the specific country- / market-specific information, please select the corresponding country website. Country selection

Bits and concrete: Tackling the housing shortage with digital construction

January 10, 2024

Europe is struggling with a housing shortage. In Germany alone, there will be a shortage of 700,000 homes in 2023. This is the biggest shortage in more than 20 years. A ray of hope: Digital Construction.

The reasons for this crisis vary depending on the region: growing population, urbanisation, limited construction activity or legal and regulatory hurdles. According to a study by the Pestel Institute and the construction research institute ARGE, there will be a shortage of 700,000 homes in Germany alone by 2023. This is the biggest shortage in more than 20 years. One of the most common causes is the slowdown in new construction. From 2022 to 2025, a decline in residential construction of up to 32 percent is forecast for Germany as calculated by the Euroconstruct research group in July 2023.

The German government's target is to build 400,000 homes per year. The target was already missed in 2022. In order to counteract this, construction must be accelerated again, and existing housing must be renovated. Quality and sustainability requirements must not be neglected, which is why the use of modern technologies and close cooperation between all stakeholders is required. As one of the global market leaders in the installation industry, Viega has always been concerned with the challenges of the construction sector and sees digitalisation as a key technology here.

Digital Construction as a Game Changer?

The solution for more living space seems obvious: Existing buildings need to be extended and renovated and new flats built. However, the challenges should not be underestimated: The construction industry is struggling with rising costs, a lack of time, resources and skilled workers. This is where digital construction and the sensible use of data come into play. The example of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) working method makes this clear: data is collected in a 3D computer model. This allows all the necessary information about the building to be constructed to be structured and the model to be made available to all stakeholders in equal measure. Integral planning creates the digital twin, the digital image of the future building. Thanks to the model, possible potential is recognised at an early stage, as are inconsistencies and defects that can be avoided in the subsequent construction process, thus ensuring planning quality and reliability. The digital twin can also contribute to maintenance and operation. This saves resources, costs, time and energy.

Viega is already planning and constructing buildings holistically, across all trades and integrally and is committed to ensuring that building with BIM becomes common practice across the industry. Viega World in Attendorn in Germany and the Viega seminar centre at Attersee in Austria have already been implemented using this methodology. In Germany, Viega is particularly strong as an enabler and process driver with its Viega Building Intelligence service offering and provides various services in the digital construction process. After all, digital construction must also be made possible during implementation. This means that it not only requires a regular exchange of knowledge, but also the empowerment of the entire industry.

Strengthening digitalisation in construction

In a study, research group Euroconstruct calculated a 12 percent decline for Europe in new residential construction in 2025. That means massive restrictions in terms of living space for Europe. This is precisely where digital construction can help - but only if stakeholders work together and processes and regulations are set up accordingly.

The "80 seconds - new building" network, which Viega is driving forward as one of the main sponsors, offers an important platform. This is where decision-makers and innovators from the fields of politics, science, construction and the property industry come together to tackle the major challenge of housing shortages. Because it's not just about data. It's also about creating solutions and networking. Only together can we make a difference.

After a successful summit in May 2023, Viega therefore hosted a specialist forum in Viega World as the sponsor for the topic of "Digitalisation/BIM". Here, the possible solutions discussed at the summit were worked on in order to drive forward the digitalisation of the construction industry - and thus continue to set the course for new, digital construction.