NEOS chooses Selma Arapović as the new club chairman: Future Vienna in focus

NEOS chooses Selma Arapović as the new club chairman: Future Vienna in focus

In a constituent session, the NEOS Rathausklub made significant decisions on June 9, 2025. Selma Arapović was unanimously voted as a club chairwoman, which is a striking step for the party leadership in Vienna. Deputy: Inside on their side are Markus Ornig and Stefan Gara. Arapović, who has worked as an architect and since 2020 as a municipal councilor and MP for the Vienna Landtag, has made a name for herself as a spokeswoman for living, urban renewal and urban development. As a member of the NEOS Vienna Landes Team and as a district spokeswoman in Brigittenau since 2023, she has recently brought the party ahead.

Arapović creates Neos from a successful Vienna election in which the party achieved a record result of 10 %. Christoph Return, the state spokesman, emphasizes the importance of a strong club to tackle the challenges of the city. In her speech, Arapović commented on the urgent topics of Vienna and the need to face the challenges in the areas of living space and urban development. Philipp Blass, who has been working as a club director since February 2025, has been confirmed again in this role and brings valuable experience in urban development, mobility, climate and living.

challenges of urban development

Vienna faces significant challenges. The city is growing and there is a growing need for living space, public space, mobility and economic development. According to the expert Arapović, urban development requires new buildings, whereby aspects such as sustainable renovation, clever density and social mixing are central. The topic of social sustainability plays an important role in securing the quality of life of all city dwellers.

In view of climate change, which is one of the greatest challenges for cities, Arapović emphasizes the need for a common consideration of urban development, mobility and climate protection. This is in accordance with the global trends, which according to bpb.de are based on the trending terms such as "smart cities" that promise improved access to income, living space, health and mobility. However, this requires fair balance between the current and future living conditions in the city.

sustainability as a guiding principle

Responsibility for sustainable urban development also lies with political decision -makers who have to take into account the interests of future generations. In recent years, sensitivity to these topics has increased, and the importance of social tolerance is increasingly recognized in urban development projects.

Arapović and her team are required to actively address these challenges in order to establish Vienna as a pioneer in sustainable construction, economic and traffic concepts. The interdisciplinarity and the cooperation between different actors must be strengthened in order to enable innovative solutions and to improve the living conditions of the growing urban population.