The aim of the project was the creation of an "Agenda Urban Regions in Austria" in connection with the ÖREK-partnership "Cooperation Platform Urban Region" and the permanent subcommittee (StUA) of the ÖROK. The "Agenda Urban Regions in Austria" provides an orientation framework for decision makers and urban regional actors to support the establishment and further development of urban regional cooperations. Within the framework of the "Agenda Urban Regions in Austria", possible key points and positions for an "Austrian Agglomeration/City Region Policy" were developed as a basis for further political discussions, drawing on aspects of urban-regional cooperation. Based on the results and experiences from the development of the "Agenda Urban Regions in Austria", proposals for the installation of the "Urban Region Day" as a permanent, regular exchange platform were formulated.

Project duration: 05/2014 to 10/2015

Contract research project, commissioned by the Office of the Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning within the framework of the ÖREK partnership "Cooperation Platform Urban Region".

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The project Außilahna and Hoamkema creates inclusive and innovative encounter and work spaces in rural regions to support "locals" and "Zuagraste" alike. Through targeted interventions on site and in the digital space, women, newcomers and anyone who wants to step out of their role are encouraged to leave beaten paths and explore new ways to feel at home (again). The pilot project focuses on three rural regions in Austria and involves a transdisciplinary team with different professional, private and spatial backgrounds. Außilahna and Hoamkema works with local people to sharpen and develop ideas and to develop solutions specific to each region. The experiences in the pilot regions are documented and processed in order to be able to learn from the experiences and to pass them on specifically to interested, future "intervention curators" in rural areas.

Project duration: 08/2022 to 03/2023

Contract research project in cooperation with Korona Mai, funded through the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) by the BML (Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Project website, opens an external URL in a new window

The study examines the spatial impact of fiscal equalization, taking into account specific interactions with climate change and climate change mitigation, as well as land use and urban sprawl. Specifically, the following topics are addressed:

1. Architecture and instruments of fiscal equalization,
2. Fiscal effects of spatial development,
3. Dimensions and theoretical approaches to the spatial effectiveness of fiscal equalization,
4. Spatially relevant indicators of land and resource consumption,
5. Planning systems and planning instruments in spatial planning,
6. Interactions between spatial development and climate change and climate protection,
7. Analysis of the ÖREK 2030 in relation to spatially relevant instruments of financial equalization.

Project duration: 11/2021 to 11/2022

Contract research project, funded by the BMF (Federal Ministry of Finance). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

Vacancies have a negative impact on the townscape of both rural and urban centres, for instance through empty shop windows, decaying facades and building entrances. Outside town centres and on upper floors, vacancies are less noticeable, but have an equally strong impact on the vibrancy of the place. Trends such as digitalisation, multi-locality, resource conservation and the demand for renewable energy sources - coupled with innovative funding instruments - are opening up new potential uses for vacant buildings.

The process aims to convey the complexity of the issue of vacancy in a structured way, to facilitate dialogue and to promote cooperation. The concept development therefore relies on motivating formats that accompany a change in the interpretation of the term "vacancy" towards "potential and future spaces". The concept development process is seen as a networking platform to sensitise stakeholders for the topic of vacancy activation and to bring them together.

Project duration: 06/2023 to 12/2023

Contract research project in cooperation with the municipality of Bad Kreuzen.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

Auftragsforschungsprojekt in Kooperation mit der Marktgemeinde Bad Kreuzen.

Weitere Informationen: Projektdatenbank, opens an external URL in a new window

The Kleinregion (small region) "Römerland Carnuntum" is characterized by a continuous population growth since the opening of the borders and the EU eastern expansion. Due to this dynamic, new challenges for regional development have arisen.

The aim of the one-year project "Dimensions of Action for the LEADER Region Römerland Carnuntum" was to initiate an awareness-raising and reflection process in the region. The focus was not on concrete projects, but on possible dimensions of action and planning processes.

Project duration: 02/2017 to 07/2018

Contract research project, commissioned by the regional development organization Römerland Carnuntum.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The project pursued the primary goal of empowering the Kosovar community of Suhareka to independently shape ongoing spatial development planning processes. The project comprised 6 components:

1. Creation and analysis of planning bases: collection and computerization of the most important decision-making bases.
2. Preparation of a Municipality Development Plan - design and monitoring of the political decision-making process
3. Urban Development Plans for the main town of the municipality - design and monitoring of the political decision-making process
4. Small project: initiation, consulting and monitoring of a small project
5. GIS training: Training and cooperation of the municipality administration in the computer processing of maps and statistical material as a basis for the ongoing task management in the development planning process
6. Geodata management: Elaboration of a concept for the development and organizational embedding of a GIS-instrumentation. The main target group of the project is the population of the Municipality Suhareka (district with approx. 80,000 inhabitants), which will benefit from an orderly spatial and economic development in the medium to long term, as well as the Municipality administration, which will be strengthened by further training measures (training on the job).

Project duration: 11/2006 until 03/2009

Contract research project in cooperation with mecca consulting, Reinberg und Partner OEG and Planning and Urban Design Studio, financed by the Austrian Development Agency GmbH and the Municipality of Suhareka.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

Based on a precisely defined project scope, the two experts Dr. Thomas Dillinger and Dr. Lorenz Riegler, both of whom work in Vienna, were commissioned under an agreement between Ambero and the Center of Legal Competence (CLC) to carry out the project "Drafting of a proposal for the standardization of use categories and planning symbols in municipal land use plans in Serbia" in the period from November 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. Both experts were already significantly involved in the preparation of model laws for the Republic of Serbia in 2006 (Construction and Spatial Planning Law, respectively).

Project duration: 11/2012 to 12/2012

Contract research project in cooperation with Allright Law Office, funded by the Center of Legal Competence (CLC) - Consulting and Research Center for the Promotion of Competence of Foreign Institutions.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

EGTCs (European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation) aim to facilitate cross-border transnational and/or interregional cooperation between its members and to promote economic and social cohesion. EGTCs are a new european instrument introduced in 2006 that has its own legal personality and is established on a voluntary basis.

The starting point for the project is the European Commission's proposal for a regulation establishing a European grouping of cross-border cooperation. The study aims on the one hand to present the ongoing changes of the proposed ordinance up to the final regulation and on the other hand to analyze on the basis of the pilot region EUREGIO "Weinviertel-Südmähren-Westslowakei", which effects there are for Lower Austria. 

Project duration: 01/2006 to 09/2006

Contract research project in cooperation with mecca consulting, financed by the EFRE (European Fund for Regional Development) as well as the province of Lower Austria (RU7) and by the regional organization Europaregion Weinviertel.

Further information: Information page of the European Parliament on EGTCs, opens an external URL in a new window

The ENUR project dealt with spatial and settlement development in Austrian cities in the context of sustainable energy supply and planning. The partner cities that ENUR cooperated intensively with in this process were Feldkirch, Wels and Vienna-Penzing. The research project provided answers and proposed solutions to the following questions, among others:

• How is the (normalized/standardized) energy demand structured in a comparison of cities in Austria? What developments characterize the cities?
• What savings potentials can be estimated on the basis of settlement and development structure characteristics - differentiated by region and at different scale levels?
• Which decentralized renewable energy supply systems prove to be appropriate for ideal-typical settlement structures in terms of the energy-neutral city?
• What willingness do demand and user groups show towards reducing energy costs as well as towards more energy-conscious behavior (energy saving, renewable energy, mobility, forms of housing)?
• How can the energy-conscious city be realized in favor of sustainable development through adequate control approaches?

Project duration: 01/2011 to 06/2013

Single global project financed by the TU (funding priority "Energy-active settlements and infrastructures" and "Competition between cities and governance" of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning) in cooperation with the university research center "Energy and Environment".

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Project website, opens an external URL in a new window

In the nationally funded research project "ERP hoch 3", the thematic focus of integrated spatial and energy planning was examined, investigated and simulated on three levels. While "ERP" stands for integrated spatial and energy planning, the digit "3" stands for three different spatial contexts – urban neighborhoods, public transport axes and inter-communal potential areas for renewable energies (region). ERP hoch 3 was a 2-year fundamental research project, funded by the Austrian Climate Fund. The research team consisted of 14 experts from the Research Units of Regional Planning and Local Spatial Planning (TU Wien, Institute of Spatial Planning) as well as the Institutes of Urban Planning and Process and Particle Technology (TU Graz). 

Three guidelines for action (publications) are the products, which cover integrated spatial and energy planning in...

• Urban quarters
• Quarters along public transport stops (public transport axes) as well as
• Intercommunal area potentials for renewable energy sources

...and show possible solutions. 

The synthesis discusses these individual spatial and energy dimensions, combines them into an integrated action space of the Austrian urban region as a "smart city energy region" and presents them in an overall report.

Project duration: 09/2014 to 10/2016

Research funding project in cooperation with Graz University of Technology, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the "Stadt der Zukunft" program.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window| Final report, opens an external URL in a new window

The project EU.REGIO.NET - strengthening of cross-border initiatives to improve the cooperation of regional and municipal authorities in the cross-border regions of Austria with the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary - consisted of the following five modules:

1. Cross-border information and communication
2. Cross-border working groups
3. Improvement of institutional relations and intensification of regional networks
4. Cross-border qualification (conferences)
5. Cross-border educational offer
6. Ongoing overall coordination

Within the framework of an evaluation of results, the objectives and expected results of the individual modules of the EU.REGIO.NET project were compared with the activities that were effectively carried out.

Project duration: 03/2005 to 05/2005

Contract research project, financed by the European Union (Europaregion Euregio).

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The main objective of the project was to map and calculate the ecological and economic potential of energy planning in a multidimensional way and to show where (which) measures for the use of renewable energies and for increasing energy efficiency are necessary and effective. In addition, research was conducted into how resource, energy and value creation potentials might be leveraged in the process. 

The result of the project is a digital toolbox for the development of integrated energy concepts targeted at municipal and regional officials and planners, containing:

1. a newly developed energy map software for the localization of measures (e.g. energy plants), including the calculation of space requirements and potential energy yields
2. a coupled optimized energy turnaround calculator (REsys) for the comparison of demand and application over time as well as the PNS software for the economic optimization of plants
3. a standardized communication and process design for the economic project implementation under integration of stakeholders in energy transition processes
4. plus: we create and integrate functions for local climate models as well as the determination of costs and benefits of energy transition measures from a regional economic point of view.

Project duration: 10/2019 to 09/2022

Research funding project in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU, Institute IRUB), the Study Center for International Analyses (STUDIA) and several external corporate partners (Akaryon GmbH, STRATECO OG, Borovsky & Duschek GmbH, WIND - Ingenieurbüro für Physik), funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) within the COIN program (funding track "COIN Networks"). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Energy transition calculator, opens an external URL in a new window

ISEK⁴ is a transnational pilot project for the development of a new planning instrument. It addresses two spatial realities that - despite obvious necessity - are rarely considered together in the existing planning toolkit: the inner city and the functional region. In addition to the four inner cities of Bruneck, Hermagor-Pressegger See, Lienz and Spittal an der Drau, ISEK⁴ takes the regional symbiosis as an additional level of action, complementing the classical ISEK approach. This pilot project is based on an interdisciplinary approach and was developed together with four steering groups from the cities: Within eight months, knowledge and needs were collected, recorded and located in different workshop formats.

The ISEK⁴ project is intended to contribute to the development of an intensive cooperation culture between the four cities – despite their differences – and to link them as common anchor points for the formation of a region. The drafts for the individual ISEKs should not compete with each other, but complement one another. The individuality of the inner cities should be taken into account and enhanced . The developed sub-concepts will be put into a regional context and the common effects for the region will be elaborated.

The idea behind the regional cooperation is also reflected in the structure and conception of the ISEK⁴: Regional framework conditions, potentials and goals are constantly considered in combination with local activities and tendencies. Existing feedbacks are taken into account. The overarching framework for action (region-specific spatial guiding principles) forms the basic foundation of ISEK⁴. In the city-specific sections, planning focuses on certain focus areas within the cities in question. Finally, outlines of ideas provide impulses for implementation. The regional symbiosis links the four ISEKs of the individual cities and elevates them to the regional level. The result is an overall picture for the SOUTHERN ALPINE SPACE that is more and – in the sense of sustainable local and regional development – can do more than the sum of four ISEKs. 

Project duration: 05/2022 to 02/2023

Contract research project in cooperation with the municipalities of Bruneck, Hermagor-Pressegger See, Spittal an der Drau and Lienz, co-financed by the European Union (INTERREG program Italy-Austria), the BMK, the BML as well as the province of Carinthia. 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Project website, opens an external URL in a new window | Website SOUTHERN ALPINE SPACE, opens an external URL in a new window

The aim of the project was to develop a master plan on the topics green space, local recreation and tourism for the Burgenland communities Edelstal, Kittsee, Pama and Deutsch Jahrndorf as well as the Lower Austrian communities Berg, Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Hainburg, Hundsheim, Prellenkirchen, and Wolftshal. 

The project was intended to activate the large touristic potential, extending far beyond the existing high-value attractions (Marchfeld castles, Carnuntum, Danube Floodplains National Park, wine routes, Devín etc.). South of the Danube, a green corridor along the border is intended to enhance the scenery, increase the quality of life and create a convergence of the city of Bratislava with the surrounding Austrian communities. The project was to answer the following questions in particular and ultimately lead to spatial specifications in the master plan "Green Space, Local Recreation and Tourism":

Elaboration of measures for the upgrading of the landscape area at the national border in the Petrzalka area based on the surveys of the KOBRA+ project. In this context, the natural priority areas were coordinated, especially for the municipalities south of the Danube.
Development of a path and accessibility concept for individual sub-areas, in particular for tourist attractions in the Marchfeld.
Examination of the construction of a pedestrian:inside and cyclist:inside bridge in the Schlosshof-Devín area.
Taking up the concept "Grüne Mitte", especially for the area north of the Danube
Project sketches for lead projects.

Project duration: 05/2006 until 10/2007

Contract research project in cooperation with mecca consulting and the Weinviertel-Managemend, financed by the EFRE (European Fund for Regional Development) and the federal states of Burgenland and Lower Austria.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The mobility transition in rural areas has been initiated, but still lags behind that of urban areas in some aspects. The intensive utilisation of land due to existing (and planned) settlement development in Austria as well as the low population density contribute to this. In addition, rural areas are characterised by car-centricity and a lack of infrastructure and services. In the face of the climate crisis and changes in society, it is time to mobilise rural areas and connect them sustainably. A regional mobility laboratory provides the framework to support mobility projects in a way that ensures they are not only successfully implemented, but also have a long-term, sustainable impact on rural areas. The networking of stakeholders, the knowledge of regional/local characteristics - perhaps even peculiarities - and targeted, early services prepare the ground for mobility projects and the teams behind them to grow.

Project duration: 02/2023 to 01/2024

Research funding project funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) (funding track "Mobilität der Zukunft"). 

Further information: Project databas, opens an external URL in a new window

The project addressed the reform of land use planning and zoning in Serbia. It was initiated by the Ministry of International Economic Relations (MIER) of the Republic of Serbia and aimed to assist Serbia in strengthening the legal environment for deregulation, urban planning and construction law. The project  should contribute to improving the legal security of transactions and property rights, increasing the transparency of the real estate market and thus bringing the Serbian legal system closer to European Union legislation and international standards.

Project duration: 05/2006 to 12/2006

Contract research project in cooperation with the Verein zur Förderung der rechtlichen Ostkompetenz Österreichs, financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), the German Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The aim of the project was to elaborate concerted development paths and recommendations of action for the future development of the so-called "Kleinregionen" (small regions) in Lower Austria and to point out associated legal aspects. On the basis of existing experiences and considerations, the range of tasks for Kleinregionen in Lower Austria was reviewed, supplemented and specified in order to define core competencies that should be performed by those regions in the future. Based on these results, development paths were outlined to show how the further development of Lower Austrian Kleinregionen could look. To operationalize the development paths, specific recommendations of action were elaborated.

Project duration: 06/2005 to 10/2005

Contract research project in cooperation with mecca consulting, financed by the NÖ Entwicklungsfonds für Kleinregionen.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The Römerland Carnuntum region is attractive for businesses and at the same time offers a high quality of life. In order to maintain these assets in the future, the municipalities want to pay special attention to building culture in the region. With the Pactum Römerland Carnuntum, in which the signatory communities commit themselves, they express: We want to promote the quality of life for ourselves and our descendants by planning and implementing all building activities in a considerate manner. Furthermore, we want to create better framework conditions for future-oriented building and cooperate regionally in doing so.

The 4 most important principles are

1. Preservation and careful development of settlement and landscape areas.
2. Establishment of regionally typical construction and housing
3. Improvement of communication
4. Promotion of attentiveness, awareness and knowledge for building culture topics.

The Pactum Römerland Carnuntum was preceded by an extensive work and discussion process with the population, which was carried out under the project LENA - plan & design our living space together sustainably. LENA was supported by the Regional Development Organization Römerland Carnuntum, the Club of Rome Carnuntum and the Vienna University of Technology.

Project duration: 07/2018 to 06/2019

Contract research project, commissioned by the Regional Development Association Römerland Carnuntum.

Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Website Regional Development Association, opens an external URL in a new window | Folder, opens an external URL in a new window | LENAs Toolbox, opens an external URL in a new window | Pactum RLC, opens an external URL in a new window

For the municipality of Stockerau, the future spatial development of the communal area plays a particularly important role. With numerous initiatives ("Dorf- und Stadt- erneuerung", "Leerflächenmanagement", "STOXI" etc...) the municipality takes targeted steps to remain attractive for its citizens and to meet future challenges with foresight.

Therefore, the municipality is also looking for new innovative ways to use financial resources and personal commitment as efficiently as possible. The "Masterplan Municipal Facility Management Stockerau" represents a new approach: the fusion of a masterplan for the municipality with recommendations for an efficient and target group specific facility management as well as an optimizations of the structure and process organization in facility and real estate management.

Project duration: 12/2011 to 06/2013

Contract research project, commissioned and financed by the municipality of Stockerau.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

"Mobility across city boundaries" was an FFG project as part the RTI initiative "Mobilität der Zukunft". During the approximately one-year exploratory stage, the framework conditions for an urban mobility laboratory were investigated on the example of the urban region of Graz. The feasibility of an urban mobility laboratory was tested (surveys, prototypes) and the findings were made usable for other urban regions. On a thematic level, the research project addressed the topic of urban boundaries and cognitive maps: the goal was to design a mobility lab (living lab) that focuses on the orientation of mobility information to human perception. For this purpose, the project team...

1. processed the existing scientific knowledge on interactions between information, perception/cognitive maps and mobility behavior
2. tested suitable methods for the involvement of actors in mobility laboratories and
3. tested research methods in the domain of cognitive maps.

"Mobility across city boundaries" took stops at three locations in the urban region of Graz. At these so-called "Mobility Meeting Points", the connection between traffic information, " mental maps" and mobility behavior was explored together with the participants - citizens as well as representatives from politics, administration and businesses. Action research methods were used to develop ideas and solutions for the mobility of the future together with the participants. From the resulting recommendations for action, the laboratory outline was created. In this outline,  the central questions of the business model, the content-related orientation, the organizational form and the services were described. The project report defines the tasks of each partner and discusses the roles of the stakeholders from politics, administration and economy as well as of the co-creators and the public.

Project duration: 02/2015 to 12/2016

Research funding project in cooperation with planum and Prisma Solutions, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the RTI program "Mobility of the Future". 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

In the exploratory project "Mobility lab share+exchange", the potential for the implementation of a future "Urban Mobility Lab" in the urban region of Bruck, Kapfenberg and Leoben was explored. The thematic focus of the lab was the development of innovative mobility solutions in the fields of passenger and freight transport. The Urban Mobility Lab understands itself as an open platform in which interested actors from politics, administration, economy and civil society developed mobility solutions for the future together with the researchers.

Project duration: 04/2015 to 03/2016

Research funding project financed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the RTI program "Mobilität der Zukunft".

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The main purpose of the MONO project (reorganizing mobility) was to design two workshops in two different municipalities. The aim of the first workshop was to collect and discuss the mobility needs and mobility resources of the participants. By using the method "Mental Mapping" the current mobility behavior of the participants was collected, consolidated and discussed. The results were then compared with alternative, more resource-efficient forms of mobility. In the second workshop, the identified building blocks (mobility needs, spatial structure, people's resources) were then used to identify and discuss a conceivable organizational structure for the community. The following thought experiment was run through with the participants: What would it take to make dispensing with a (second) car possible. 

Project duration: 07/2016 to 02/2017

Research funding project commissioned by the company UbiGo KG, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the "Innovationsscheck" program. 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The exploratory project MURREAL aimed at creating a development path for a living lab to test the energy transition in the district of Murtal. The following innovations or results where supposed to be generated:

1. Use of tools for an evidence-based, digital, and replicable synopsis to an integrative energy system,
2. Evaluation of scenarios also with regard to regional value creation,
3. Simulation of innovative technologies such as Biomass to Liquid (BTL) and Power to Liquid (PTL),
4. Conception of the living laboratory with qualitative participation, which ensures effectiveness, implementation and long-term sustainability, as well as
5. Transferability to similar regions by generating process guidelines digitally-interactively on a best-practice knowledge platform.

Project duration: 11/2021 to 10/2022

Contract research project in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU, Institute IRUP), Energieagentur Obersteiermark GmbH, the Study Center for International Analyses (Studia), STRATECO OG, Akaryon GmbH and WIND (Ingenieurbüro für Physik), funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) within the thematic program "City of the Future".

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Project website, opens an external URL in a new window | FFG project page, opens an external URL in a new window

The government of the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Supreme Committee of Town Planning, has commissioned an Austrian consortium consisting of the Vienna University of Technology, PRISMA solutions, CEIT (Central European Institute of Technology), freiland CE ltd., IBV Fallast Transport Planning Consultancy together with the Omani partner company Consatt Ltd. to prepare the Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS). The aim is to summarize different development scenarios in the "Vision Oman" based on the current state. This vision is then to be implemented through specific measures and differentiated spatial development concepts for all parts of the country. The time horizon of the OMAN National Spatial Strategy extends over 30 years. It forms the basis for national strategic investment decisions (infrastructure expansion, settlement development, etc.). In addition, targets and measures for 2020 are defined, and short-term measures are developed to respond adequately to medium-term and current challenges. The central activities in the preparation of the ONSS are:

• OMAN National Spatial Strategy: preparation of mission statements, spatial development concepts and plans with a focus on national and regional issues such as e.g. settlement and spatial structure, suitability areas for economic and production locations, provision of social and technical infrastructure, conservation and protection of natural resources and cultural heritage, disaster management and environmental protection, strategies for the development of urban and rural areas.
• Establishment of a National Planning Geo Information System like a geo-database for the evaluation and monitoring of spatially relevant socio-economic trends , infrastructure development or environmental protection
• Screening of the institutional and legal framework of spatial planning as well as recommendations for the optimization of planning processes and laws (Spatial Governance)
• Capacity building of administrative and university institutions with a focus on spatial data management and strategic (spatial) planning.

The OMAN National Spatial Strategy will be developed by experts from different disciplines into a comprehensive integrative implementation concept covering the following areas:

• GIS, data management, e-government
• environment, natural resources, cultural heritage
• population, human resources, social infrastructure
• economy (primary, secondary and tertiary sectors)
• transport, mobility, traffic
• spatial planning and zoning
• nominal and functional spatial planning law
• competence building

The 38-month project duration is divided into the following phases:

1. Analysis and evaluation of the current situation, identification of fields of action relevant to planning, and formulation of initial future models and development scenarios.
2. Call for tenders for regional spatial development concepts in Oman: Integration of Omani experts into the planning process
3. Preparation of regional spatial development concepts by the Omani experts together with the Austrian and international teams
4. Discussion of alternative development strategies and formulation of the OMAN National Spatial Strategy

Project duration: 05/2011 to 05/2015

Contract research project in cooperation with PRISMA solutions, CEIT (Central European Institute of Technology,) freiland CE ltd, IBV Fallast Transport Planning Consultancy as well as with the Omani partner company Consatt Ltd, financed by the Supreme Committee for Town Planning of the Sultanate of Oman.

Further information: Project Database 1, opens an external URL in a new window | 2, opens an external URL in a new window | 3, opens an external URL in a new window | 4, opens an external URL in a new window

PLAT.F.O.R.M. aims at capitalizing previous Alpine Space projects identifying how they dealt with sustainable transport and mobility, focusing on integrating social sustainability into infrastructure planning decision making, so that also economic and environmental aspects become accessible to local communities. As EU policies underline, social impacts and interests of local authorities and civil society, should be taken into account to grant major public projects sustainability. In this policy framework, PLAT.F.O.R.M. intends to develop and explore new methodologies and tools to raise awareness on the importance of communities participation to decision making processes. This will be achieved through a transnational platform containing developed tools to address and involve students, decision makers and communities. Project results will be presented in a final meeting exhibition, representing an inclusive and interactive environment where proposals to face future challenges can be formulated.

Project duration: 10/2013 to 11/2014

Research funding project financed by the European Union (ERDF, ESIF). 

Further Information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

Given the fact that two thirds of the Austrian territory can be described as "alpine" and that about 50 percent of the Austrian population lives in mountain areas, the Alpine Space is one of the geographical focal points of the Institute of Spatial Planning (both in research and practice). Due to the challenges that this sensitive and fragile space is facing (e.g. climate change or large infrastructure projects), long-term visions and strategies that combine aspects of subsistence and mobility with those of sustainability and resilience are of increasing importance in the Alpine Space. 

The innovative approach of the Alpine Space project "POLY5: Polycentric planning models for local development in areas affected by Corridor 5 and its TEN-T impacts" is to exploit emerging opportunities linked to major transport infrastructures. While this perspective is highly relevant, it is often overlooked in planning theory and practice. The Vienna University of Technology aims to contribute by building on its broad interdisciplinary knowledge base (in research and practice) in relation to the planning of the sensitive and fragile Alpine region

Project duration: 09/2011 to 10/2014

Research funding project as part of an international consortium, funded by the European Union (INTERREG, EDDF, ESIF). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

The case study of the City of Vienna shows how overarching planning concepts and strategies, including the gender mainstreaming planning strategy, result in numerous projects. It presents examples of the implementation of those projects that are closely related to the concepts and strategies described.

Project duration: 09/2010 to 12/2010

Contract research project, financed by the Municipal Department 18 of the City of Vienna.

The study aimed at collecting the existing knowledge on the typification, survey and reactivation of vacancies in town and village centers and to make this knowledge accessible in a comprehensive reference book to  active and future vacancy managers in Austrian municipalities and regions. The core of the study was to combine the expertise of the study team with the practical experience of vacancy pioneers and vacancy professionals. Through a clever study process design, the knowledge from research and practice was brought together, reflected upon and improved in several feedback loops, so that an application-oriented handbook could be produced as a study result. The project was set up as a process in which knowledge from research and practice was brought together in several loops, reflected upon and improved in feedback rounds.

Project duration: 06/2021 to 05/2022

Contract research project in cooperation with IIBW (institut für Immobilien, Bauen und Wohnen), Wallenberger & Linhard Regionalberatung KG and Dr.in Elisabeth Leitner, funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Project website, opens an external URL in a new window | Final product: card collection, opens a file in a new window | Booklet: background and instructions, opens a file in a new window

The construction of the S1 and the A5 has greatly improved the locational advantages of the municipalities in the northern Vienna region. Therefore, a significant population increase is predicted for the region until 2030. This will have an impact on settlement development, business sites as well as social and technical infrastructure. In the course of the pilot project "Regional Master Planning", the spatial development concepts of the municipalities are to be coordinated and a joint strategy for spatial development is to be developed. In the sense of positioning the Weinviertel in the international context of the cities Vienna-Brno-Bratislava, a coordination of the results with the neighboring regions is additionally planned.

Project duration: 03/2005 until 05/2005

Contract research project in cooperation with mecca consulting, financed by the province of Lower Austria.

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window

In the course of the transdisciplinary research project, regional processes of self-empowerment and self-organization for future-oriented, transformative learning and action were co-creatively developed, implemented and systematically tested with regard to their transformative learning success. The newly founded Club of Rome Carnuntum, which is dedicated to research, development, education and exchange of experience on the topic of regional transformation and sustainability on behalf of and in cooperation with the regional development association Römerland Carnuntum, served as a case study. The formation of the Club of Rome Carnuntum is primarily based on the experience that existing support programs and "conventional methods" of regional development are not sufficient for the preparation of upcoming changes (e.g. digitalization, globalization, mobility and transport, climate change, demographic change).

The Club of Rome aims to identify key future problems for humankind through systemic, transdisciplinary and long-term research approaches and to create learning spaces for sustainable transformation. In accordance with this approach, the "Club of Rome Carnuntum" was a model of intellectual and sustainably effective European regional development in the LEADER region Römerland Carnuntum, which should enable the derivation of knowledge for self-empowerment and self-organization for future-oriented transformations in other regions.

The methodological basis of the project was a participatory scenario process for formulating a vision of the region as a model region for transformation, the use of serious games for identifying and playfully trying out paths of action, and the implementation of concrete projects within the framework of two living labs. In addition, the project aimed to systematically ascertain the often postulated but empirically hardly explored connection between social learning and transdisciplinary transformation research by means of comprehensive accompanying research.

Project duration: 04/2019 to 09/2022

Research funding project in cooperation with BOKU and the Regional Development Association Römerland Carnntum, funded by the Science Fund of the Province of Lower Austria. 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Website RLC 2040, opens an external URL in a new window

The future Smart City Ebreichsdorf (SMCE) is a rapidly growing urban municipality in the city-region between Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. The twin-track extension of the Pottendorf railroad line and the resulting improvement in the connection of Ebreichsdorf will further accelerate this growth process. A new railroad station will be built "on the greenfield" between the neighborhoods of Ebreichsdorf and Unterwaltersdorf. The existing railroad line will be abandoned.

The exploratory project "Smart City Ebreichsdorf" elaborates dimensions of action for four thematic focal points: Planning and Processes, Rail Station, Neighborhood, Energy and Resources. They form the foundation for a subsequent implementation in a tangible urban development project. Criteria are worked out on how a Smart City Ebreichsdorf should be developed in the future. The insights gained are intended to trigger learning processes in politics, the planning administration and the scientific community and to prepare the concrete submission of a Smart City demo project in Ebreichsdorf.

The innovation content of the present project compared to the state of the art consists in the early linking of the following three components in the exploratory project:  

• Timing-Process Rhythm: The new station or railroad line is scheduled to start its full operation in 2023. Therefore, now is the right time to address what is "conceivable" and "possible" and to bring it into a dialog between politics, administration, the public and science. The participation and involvement of the population in the planning process is paramount for bringing the concept of the smart city "to the people".
• Political/administrative anchoring: The province of Lower Austria, the regional stakeholders (such as the Regionalmanagement Wien Umland Süd, NÖ Energie und Umweltagentur, Stadt- und Dorferneuerung) and the city of Ebreichsdorf are already actively involved in the project. This early anchoring is a basic prerequisite for a later implementation of the research results.
• Interdisciplinarity: The interdisciplinary structure of the research team – consisting of scientists from the fields of regional planning, architecture, urban planning, landscape planning, mobility planning, as well as energy and resource planning – enables transdisciplinary thinking and working and therefore ensures integrated overall solutions.

Project duration: 02/2016 to 02/2017

Research funding project in cooperation with the Municipality of Ebreichsdorf, the Lower Austrian Energy and Environment Agency (eNu) and with the Energy Park Bruck, financed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the program "Smart City - 6th Call Demo 2015".  

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | Website of the Municipality of Ebreichsdorf, opens an external URL in a new window

The study commissioned by the BMWFJ encompassed five key perspectives 

• Competitiveness / economic viability,
• Society and culture / social justice,
• Ecology / sustainability / resilience / healthy environment,
• Policy / institutions and
• Technology / innovations

A set of recommendations for action form the central result of the study. They are based largely on the results of expert workshops on four scenarios, which in turn were based on an analysis of the economic, social and ecological framework conditions, existing tourism and mobility strategies, as well as an analysis of good practice examples and an evaluation of existing statistics. The scenarios depict possible future images, allow for – thinking from the future into the present – the central challenges to be identified and lead to the development of options for action.

Project duration: 10/2012 to 03/2013

Contract research project, funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth (BMWFJ). 

The National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) is the central political instrument for ensuring the achievability of the five target dimensions in the Energy Union by 2030.

The importance of renewable energy for achieving the energy and climate targets is obvious. With regard to the availability of renewable energies, there are spatial dependencies and thus possible conflicts in the use of space, for example with regard to nature conservation and the preservation of biodiversity. Challenges for spatial planning arise, especially as a result of the division of responsibilities between the federal government, the provinces and the municipalities in Austria. If one looks at the Austrian NEKP, spatial planning is mentioned as an important instrument. The central question is how the current situation could be improved with regard to the link between the national planning and reporting level of the NEKP and the local project implementation level.

The aim of the transFORMAT-LINK project is to make a contribution on the way to climate neutrality. Therefore, the following NEKP-relevant aspects are addressed:

Facilitating project implementation at the municipal level by reducing barriers resulting from insufficient transparency (presentation and accessibility of information)
Creating a consistent approach to avoid maladaptation to climate change by setting minimum requirements for community development concepts

First, the responsibilities or liabilities in fulfilling the NEKP requirements (e.g. reporting of implementation successes) between the federal, state and municipal administrative levels will be investigated, the possibilities for taking energy and climate objectives into account in the local development concept (ÖEK) will be analyzed and recommendations for action will be derived. For this purpose, a catalog of minimum requirements and criteria will be developed, which should then be applied in revisions of local development concepts. This catalog is intended to support the development of renewable energy projects and to simplify planning and reporting with regard to NEKP implementation. A selection of case studies – six municipalities with  less than 50,000 inhabitants – is presented, in which the local planning instruments (in particular the local development concepts) are analyzed with regard to their energy- and climate-relevant statements and specifications. The aim is to be able to assess possible effects with regard to the achievement of the NECP goals. In addition, interviews with experts from the federal government, the provinces and the municipalities as well as stakeholder discussions will be conducted. Approaches and recommendations for municipalities will be derived from these interviews and discussions. The findings will be incorporated into the so-called "LINK guideline". Positive examples can be used as a template for developing and achieving the goals in individual municipalities.

Project duration: 10/2022 to 04/2024

Research funding project in cooperation with SERA global GmbH and Kleboth und Dollnig ZT GmbH, financed through the Austrian Climate Research Programme (ACRP). 

Further information: Project database, opens an external URL in a new window | webinar about the KLEXI tool (in German), opens an external URL in a new window