Transferring experiences of post-war West Germany in social housing to reconstruction strategies after the war in Syria

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the post-war housing reconstruction strategy in Syria. It addresses the possibility of finding a suitable solution to the problem of lack of home resulting from the war and presents the deficiencies in the policy of housing before the war. The thesis suggests that this aim can be supported by analyzing the successful experience of the post-WWII social housing strategy in West Germany and investigating the possibility of transferring the characteristics of the German experience into the Syrian context. To reach this objective the present research followed a stepwise approach: First, the general context of the common problems of largely destroyed post-war cities was studied with special respect to the case of Germany. Secondly, a detailed data-based analysis on the situation in pre- and expected post-war Syria, with a special focus on social housing approaches and the cultural, social, and economic aspects of housing, was performed. Thirdly, in a comprehensive synthesis of the first and second case studies, the basis for a comparative evaluation on whether the lessons learned from the German experience can be transferred to the Syrian context was elaborated. In this process, the present study was focused on finding new perspectives and solutions for the problem of the destitution of housing units after the war. Putting the results together, it proposes scenarios for the post-war housing situation and a list of recommendations to solve existing problems and improve conditions using the developmental process in Syria. This includes a comprehensive database on the housing situation in post-war Syria as the starting point in the development of an integrative social housing strategy. The need to implement adapted legal and legislative bases supporting the development of the residential sector and improving the Syrian housing situation is discussed. In this regard, it is regarded as critical for the success of a future post-war housing policy that a specific law concerning post-war housing problems should be enacted. Furthermore, the target group for “social housing” reconstruction programs should be specified based on income level and to what extent they have been affected by the war.