Centennial celebration and showcase at Bremen City Hall honoring 100 years of Gewoba
A century ago, Gewoba Aktiengesellschaft Wohnen und Bauen was founded with a mission to create affordable housing for workers and employees. Since then, the company has played a pivotal role in shaping the housing landscape in Bremen and Bremerhaven, making it the largest real estate company in the state.
On October 1, 1987, Gewoba experienced a turning point when the Bremen Senate acquired its housing units and properties from the economic decline of the trade union-owned Neue Heimat. This marked the beginning of Gewoba's transformation into a modern housing company.
Gewoba manages approximately 42,000 to 43,000 rental apartments, making it the biggest landlord in the region. Around 85% of these apartments were built before 1970, reflecting a significant footprint in the historic housing stock. The company is committed to evolving the city's residential options, with over 700 new apartments under construction as of 2018.
Beyond mere housing management, Gewoba embodies a philosophy of creating livable quarters that go beyond buildings and green spaces to foster community and social engagement. The company has initiated and supported numerous integrative and social projects at the neighbourhood level, focusing on respect, acceptance, and equal opportunities for residents.
Since 1999, the Gewoba Foundation has supported educational and social projects involving schools, teachers, and students in both Bremen and Bremerhaven, contributing to the broader social fabric of the cities. Gewoba also emphasises corporate governance and employee protection, having implemented one of the first comprehensive compliance management systems among German housing companies in 2009.
After World War II, Gewoba played a significant role in the reconstruction of Bremen, with projects like the Gartenstadt Vahr and the Neue Vahr creating thousands of new apartments and setting urban planning standards in the 1950s. The 1960s and 1970s saw urban densification with significant projects like the Osterholz-Tenever settlement and the Columbus Center in Bremerhaven.
In the 1980s, the concept of large-scale settlements came under criticism. However, Gewoba continued to adapt and innovate, as seen in projects like the "Bremer Punkt" and the "Gartenstadt Werdersee" quarter, which reflect Gewoba's efforts to meet the needs of a growing city while being a pioneer in climate protection.
Gewoba's history has significantly shaped the housing landscape in Bremen and Bremerhaven over a century. To commemorate this milestone, an anniversary exhibition is open in the Lower Town Hall until October 12, 2024. The top image for the article features the Gewoba anniversary exhibition in the Lower Town Hall. Admission to the exhibition is free.
The celebration took place in the Upper Town Hall, with guests including Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte and Senator for Construction, Mobility, and Urban Development, Özlem Ünsal. Mayor Bovenschulte praised Gewoba for standing for lived solidarity, strong neighborhoods, and livable districts. Senator Ünsal emphasised the importance of maintaining the 30% social housing quota in new construction.
As Gewoba Aktiengesellschaft Wohnen und Bauen celebrates its 100th anniversary on October 10, 2024, it continues to uphold its founding principle: creating housing for all. The company's significant contributions to Bremen and Bremerhaven's housing sector, urban development, and community wellbeing are evident in its century-long presence and continuous development efforts.
- As it celebrates its centennial, Gewoba Aktiengesellschaft Wohnen und Bauen remains committed to expanding its affordable housing options, with over 700 new apartments under construction.
- The company's real estate portfolio also includes investments in the finance sector, aiming to provide accessible home-and-garden and housing-market solutions for its residents.
- To further enrich the lifestyle of its residents, Gewoba supports several social projects and initiatives, fostering community and promoting respect, acceptance, and equal opportunities in Bremen and Bremerhaven.
