Introductory remarks by Kathrin Gaál

Dear citizens of Vienna,

For more than a century — since the interwar "Red Vienna" era — Vienna's focus has been on people and humanism. Affordable, high-quality housing remains the centrepiece of our vision of a liveable city to this very day. All international comparisons attest to the success of this policy, which has also delivered economic prosperity and climate-friendly development.

For over 50 years now the City of Vienna has been committed to "gentle urban renewal", an approach that has earned it an internationally respected reputation. Here too, the focus is on people and local residents. The result is superlative quality of life and attractive living environments in a city that transforms and evolves, yet always remains liveable — and, above all, affordable. Thanks to this policy, dilapidated 19th-century apartment blocks now exude the feel-good factor and entire urban neighbourhoods have been transformed into vibrant places where communities come together.

With WieNeu+, we're building on this successful trajectory — with innovative, climate-proof measures for the future. We're bringing people together, promoting new ideas and showcasing exemplary projects so that their reach and impact can extend far beyond the individual neighbourhood. Because climate change doesn't stop at the city boundaries. It has a huge impact on all spheres of life — and all of us can do our bit to make Vienna strong and resilient for generations to come.

Every WieNeu+ urban renewal project is a step in this direction: enhancing home comfort, creating greener courtyards and facades, improving the microclimate, and frequently also fostering social interaction — because attractive new shared spaces are places where people enjoy coming together.

None of this happens by itself. That's why I'd again like to take this opportunity to say a special thank-you to everyone involved: to the WieNeu+ team, the Urban Renewal Office, the many stakeholders who roll out measures at neighbourhood level, and to the large numbers of local residents participating in "Grätzlmarie" projects to enhance quality of life in their neighbourhood for the benefit of the local community.

This report on three years of WieNeu+ in the Grätzl 20+2 programme area in Vienna's municipal districts of Brigittenau and Leopoldstadt vividly illustrates how local dedication and drive bring about exemplary changes — and how they can provide impetus for the city as a whole.

I hope you'll all find this report an inspiring read.

Yours, Kathrin Gaál

Deputy Mayor and Executive City Councillor for Housing, Urban Renewal and Women's Issues