During the session of the Permanent Representation of the Polish Builders’ Congress which took place on May 31st 2010 in the Column Hall of the Polish Seym, Kazimierz Kirejczyk delivered a lecture entitled “Current situation and predictions for the Polish residential construction: the post-crisis landscape”.

– In terms of residential construction, the year 2009 was slightly worse from the previous one. Approximately 160,000 residential units were delivered to the market – less by 3.1% from the result noted in the year 2008. Circa 90-95% of all dwellings were constructed in the proprietary sector, owing to the implementation of residential buildings by private investors, developer companies and housing co-operatives, and only the remaining 5-10% - in the non-proprietary sector, – said Kazimierz Kirejczyk, Chairman of REAS advisory company. – Among characteristic features of the current model of residential construction, we should also mention the lack of private rental projects, featuring the construction of buildings designated entirely for rent on free market rules. Moreover, in recent years no less than 2/3 of new usable floor area in residential units has been constructed in the private construction sector.

The lecture concerned private construction and developers’ sector, housing co-operatives’ output and construction supported from public funds. Kirejczyk described the most significant consequences of the crisis, which in his opinion include such phenomena as considerable reduction of the scale of multifamily construction combined with a revision of prices as well as banks’ more cautious approach to the risks connected with foreign currency mortgages and appraisal of real estate value.

– We may assume that in the coming decade, the market will be characterized by increased demand for a higher ratio of usable floor space per 1 person in the largest agglomerations and mid-sized cities. This will result from such factors as improved financial situation of the society as a consequence of convergence occurring within Europe – emphasized Kazimierz Kirejczyk. – In addition, we cannot disregard the growing problem of the need to adjust the residential stock to the requirements of the aging society.

During the session, other papers were delivered by Roman Nowicki – Chairman of the Polish Builders’ Congress, Sławomir Najnigier, former Chairman of the Office of Housing and Urban Development and REAS advisor, Olgierd Dziekoński – Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure, as well as Jacek Furga – President of Real Estate Financing Committee of the Polish Bank Association.