Vienna Urban Development Plan 2035: Green Light or Standstill?

Vienna Urban Development Plan 2035: Green Light or Standstill?

Wien, Österreich - On March 24, 2025, Peter Kraus, City Councilor of the Green Vienna, commented on the new draft of the city development plan 2035.

Heidi Sequence, planning spokeswoman for the Green Vienna, joined this criticism and criticized the lack of proven concepts for green spaces, public spaces and mobility. According to Kraus, there are also serious defects in the mobility area, in particular the lack of concrete projects such as 17 new tram lines and 9 extensions in Vienna Plan, which exacerbates the stagnating modal split developments in the transport sector.

criticism of the development process

The lack of ambitious projects is considered worrying. Kraus called for clear strategies for the energy transition in municipal buildings, since only one percent of the municipal apartments currently obtain electricity from solar energy. The development process of the plan was also heavily criticized. Sequence found that there was no involvement of experts: inside, NGOs or the civilian population, which negatively influenced the transparency and quality of the plan.

The Vienna Plan, which acts as a central control element for the spatial and structural development of the city, is revised every ten years. The current version contains stipulations on settlement borders, a strategy for public transport links and a superordinate cycle path network. Mayor Michael Ludwig emphasizes that the city's relaxation space will be laid down to at least 50 percent in the next ten years.

environmental and quality of life in focus

The plan comprises eight subject areas, including settlement development, the social city and the energy transition. Ulli Sima, planning councilor, describes the Vienna Plan as a simplified and compact guide that continues existing success measures and introduces new rules. In this way, new urban centers are to be created with a wide range of offers, and the accessibility of urban centers is optimized.

Scientifically sound strategies for sustainable urban development based on social, economic and environmental sustainability are becoming increasingly important. The focus is on the integration of these goals and citizen participation in order to ensure actual acceptance and feasibility of the projects. Innovative approaches in the green infrastructure, such as urban green roofs and city gardens, play an important role in the implementation of sustainable concepts.

In April 2025, the Vienna Plan will be presented to the local council for resolution and should be valid for the next ten years after approval. However, the Greens are calling for a more ambitious approach with binding goals and clear announcements in order to optimally prepare the city for the challenges of the future.