Fight for green spaces: Linz 'tree offensive divides city politics!

Fight for green spaces: Linz 'tree offensive divides city politics!

Linz, Österreich - City of Linz relies in the Green future! A remarkable tree offensive begins in Linz Bürgerstrasse this week, in which 58 new tree locations are to be created in the densely populated Neustadtviertel. City councilor Eva Schobesberger (Greens) emphasizes that this initiative is urgently necessary to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, including extreme heat and heavy rain. "The tree offensive helps for both problems," she explains proudly (OE24.at). But the joy of new city green is overshadowed by serious concerns of urban politics.

Mayor Martin Hajart (ÖVP) criticizes the lack of real citizen participation in this project. Many residents and business owners were not included in the decision -making process, which leads to massive tensions. "A yes to more trees must not be no to practical urban planning. We need solutions that work for both the climate and people," emphasizes Hajart (OE24.at). In the meantime, the FPÖ brought an urgency application to the local council to clarify the parking situation due to the construction offensive in the city center. Instead, Hajart calls for a model based on Erfurt model that wants to raise the utilization of parking spaces to find effective solutions (tips.at).

parking debate sparked

The parking situation in Linz is again at the center of the political discussion. "We are aware of the problem. However, a citizens' survey only took place in the city center in 2017 - a renewed questioning will hardly deliver any other result," explains Hajart, who sees the need to create more quality of stay in public space. Inspired by a survey in Erfurt, which has captured the occupancy of parking spaces, Hajart advocates a strategic review to reduce the pressure on the streets (tips.at). These measures are intended to ensure that the interests of the residents are balanced and Linz remains both green and livable.