Jena creates clarity in the application of the "construction turbo"

How can the federal government's so-called "Construction Turbo Act" be implemented without losing sight of urban development goals? The city of Jena answers this question with framework guidelines and decision criteria. These clarify the conditions under which construction projects can receive general approval from the city under the new federal regulations. The Jena City Council adopted these municipal guidelines by a large majority at its meeting yesterday (01.04.2026). Prior to this, three readings took place in the urban development committee in February and March.

"We are consciously taking a step forward and see the implementation of the Building Turbo Act as an opportunity for Jena," explains Dirk Lange, Head of Urban Development and Environment. "It is important that we use the guidelines to create clear and reliable rules at an early stage so that those willing to build can assess which new opportunities for housing construction are available in Jena. The construction turbo can help to speed up approval procedures."

Guidelines for more residential construction in Jena

The aim of the city's guidelines is to promote housing construction in Jena and at the same time ensure orderly urban development and a uniform decision-making process. Construction projects under the "Bauturbo" regulations can generally receive the city's approval if the guidelines are adhered to. Above a certain size and in the case of projects requiring planning, the decision on municipal approval is to be made by political bodies as before.

The decisive factor for processes according to Bauturbo is that they do not contradict the city's urban development goals and organic settlement development and that development is secured. In inner areas, i.e. in already built-up districts, for example, limited overruns of the previous level of building use are possible. In commercial and industrial areas, on the other hand, residential construction should not be promoted so as not to restrict existing commercial uses. Planning procedures will continue to be necessary for more extensive projects in so-called outdoor areas.

In order to clarify the requirements for municipal approval, it is necessary and advisable to coordinate construction projects with the city administration at an early stage. This ensures that it is clear at an early stage whether there is a case for using the construction turbo and which issues need to be considered in this context.

"The city of Jena is creating another instrument to promote housing construction in Jena with the regulations for the construction turbo. However, it is not yet possible to estimate the extent to which applications will be submitted, processed and approved under Bauturbo," says Head of Department Lange. "That's why we want to evaluate after a year how many applications have been submitted and how the time required for the procedures has developed. On this basis, we can make adjustments if necessary. With the guidelines, we want to make something possible and tap into meaningful potential."

The federal government's Construction Turbo Act

On October 30, 2025, the "Act to Accelerate Housing Construction and Secure Housing" passed by the Bundestag and Bundesrat came into force. The amendment to the Building Code is intended to facilitate housing construction by extending the scope for deviations in planning law.

The newly introduced Section 36a BauGB also introduced an approval procedure: Building projects that are to be approved in accordance with the regulations of the so-called "Bauturbo" require the approval of the local authority. If no decision is made within three months, approval is deemed to have been granted under building planning law. With this in mind, the city of Jena is now specifying the application of the new regulations and wants to allocate responsibilities in a way that is close to the citizens.