Federal Environment Agency will move to the Danube Canal in 2026: New location in Vienna!

Federal Environment Agency will move to the Danube Canal in 2026: New location in Vienna!

The future of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has been decided. For many employees who were previously spread across four different locations in Vienna, there will soon be a new achievement: In 2026, the 650 employees will move into a shared building in Vienna-Landstrasse. The tender for the new property use was won by Art-Invest Real Estate. The Ministry for Climate Protection and the Environment, led by the Green Party Leonore Gewessler, recently announced this pioneering project.

The entire relocation process does not come without resistance due to the previous plans, which included a move to Klosterneuburg. This original decision, made by former political figures such as ex-environment minister Andrä Rupprechter and Lower Austrian governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, all from the ÖVP, was questioned by many - including other environmental organizations and even the city of Vienna. The withdrawal of Klosterneuburg as a location, which was announced in March 2023, shows that there were both political and social reactions to this decision.

Energy efficiency and accessibility are paramount

The new building at Erdberger Lände 40 will not only be renovated, but also converted in line with sustainable practices. At a press conference to mark the UBA's 25th anniversary, Gewessler highlighted the positive development. The location will be vacated in 2023 and will offer sufficient space on 12,000 square meters for laboratory-based and communal facilities, including catering on the ground floor.

A key feature of the new location is its easy accessibility. Vienna City Councilor for Climate Jürgen Czernohorszky emphasized the advantageous connection to public transport and the bike-friendliness: The building will be equipped with 150 bicycle parking spaces and only offers ten parking spaces with e-charging stations.

UBA managing director Hildegard Aichberger emphasized the ecological aspects of the renovation. The building is being renovated to make it more energy efficient, has a photovoltaic system and old facade elements are being reused. These measures not only contribute to energy savings, but also strengthen the authority's ecological awareness.

Financing and future opportunities

The move to the new location is expected to only incur “slightly more” costs, but there are also expected to be significant administrative savings by merging the previously separate offices. Aichberger explained: “There will hardly be any change in rental prices; we will save some expenses through centralization.” With this strategy, the UBA also wants to create the possibility of having space for up to 800 employees in the future, which will enable moderate growth.

The Federal Environment Agency is essential for the development of sustainable strategies in Austria. It offers monitoring and advice on environmental issues and plays a key role in the transformation of society and the economy with regard to environmental protection and climate change. Gewessler concludes that the UBA is not only a comprehensive knowledge center, but should also be a guide for innovative approaches in environmental policy. These values ​​underline the Federal Environment Agency's commitment to a more sustainable course in society.

More details on this topic can be found in a detailed report on www.diepresse.com.