290057 EX Field Trip (2023S)

Vienna is considered an international showcase for inclusive, social and sustainable living. With social housing, the city provides affordable living spaces for broad sections of the population. At the same time, mixed-use new quarters with social infrastructure, space for trade and companies, jobs and leisure opportunities are to be created as part of integrated quarter development. Aspects of social sustainability receive a great deal of attention, especially in new construction projects of urban expansion within the framework of urban development processes. But also the ecological and economic dimensions of sustainability are explicitly (more) demanded in Viennese housing - not only in the urban development areas, but also in the historic building stock.

As part of the excursion, we want to get to know the different segments and forms of the Vienna housing market and work out their characteristics. On the other hand, we want to discuss the challenges of sustainable urban development in the various segments: To what extent can an ecological energy supply succeed in historic buildings? Does social housing offer an affordable and accessible form of housing for low-income groups? To what extent is it possible to plan socially sustainable city districts in such a way that, for example, social infrastructure can also be financed?

During the excursion we will look at the current processes in Vienna in the area of ​​communal, cooperative, privately financed, and jointly initiated (e.g. building groups or allotment garden settlements) housing and discuss their contribution to ecological, social, and economic sustainability.

Participant target group:
The course is primarily aimed at students of the master's degree in "Spatial Research and Planning" and "Geography" with a focus on urban research and interested, advanced bachelor's and teacher training students. Extensive preparation, asynchronous content acquisition, and active participation during the excursion are required.

General prior knowledge and research interests of urban housing markets and urban development are a basic requirement for this excursion, in order to be able to embed the content in a meaningful overall scientific context. Basic literature will be provided.

Course objectives:
As part of the excursion, we look at the Viennese housing market in its entirety using example properties. In addition to the recording of epochs, construction methods, and ecological building (material) specifications, the development of conclusions from visible buildings on individual forms of living and the social living environment are in the foreground. In addition to getting to know ideal/typical housing projects, information about the actors involved, about the supply and demand side, political framework conditions (such as the climate timetable of the City of Vienna, Smart Climate City strategy, as well as national and EU level), objectives and motivation should be experienced be brought and thus a critical reflection of the past and current practice of housing construction succeed. The participants will be able to embed individual buildings in the big picture of urban sustainability transformation processes and to make derivations at the level of the residents, the immediate neighborhood, and the city as a whole. In addition, the various segments of the Vienna housing market are specifically evaluated based on the three dimensions of sustainability.