“For the Benefit of Seestadt”

What are the main focus topics and what can future residents of the Seecarré quarter expect? A conversation about climate resilience, openness, and an initial conclusion.

wohnfonds_wien is responsible for providing and developing land for social housing. What role do developer competitions play in this?

Gregor Puscher: Since the introduction of developer competitions by wohnfonds_wien in 1995, all housing projects funded by the City of Vienna’s housing subsidy are evaluated based on architecture, economy, ecology, and social sustainability. These competition topics allow us to set targeted priorities that are tailored to the specific needs of the local population in each project. An interdisciplinary and independent jury is responsible for the evaluation. This jury is made up of experts from all relevant fields and assesses projects objectively and critically. Developer competitions are a key steering and quality assurance tool for the city when it comes to creating needs-based and affordable housing.

Dieter Groschopf: We see the open list of criteria—architecture, social sustainability, economy, and ecology—as an invitation to engage more deeply with the qualities of subsidized housing in Vienna. Flexibility is important to remain open to new ideas and concepts. This openness is necessary to respond to social and political developments and changes.

The fifth developer competition by wohnfonds_wien and Wien 3420 is now taking place in Seestadt. It concerns the development of two building sites in the Seecarré quarter. What are the main priorities here?

Gregor Puscher: Seecarré stands out for its innovative green space concept, is being built to the Seestadt building standardaspern climate-resilient, and will have its own anergy network—a particularly ecological type of heating network that operates at low transfer temperatures close to ambient temperature, providing both heating and cooling. The topic of energy and ecology is therefore of great importance—which is nothing new for Seestadt, known as a model climate district. Climate resilience also includes aspects such as climate adaptation and resource protection, with circular construction as a key point. The aim is to design and construct buildings so that their materials can be reused, recycled, or biodegraded at the end of their life cycle.

Dieter Groschopf: Seecarré is also shaped by another major social issue, addressing demographic change. Specifically, it’s about housing options for older people, enabling independent, assisted, and supported living. Easily accessible ground-floor areas for functional encounters also play a role. There is also a focus on housing for single parents and a health emphasis.

With the EVA strategy evaluation, Seestadt has, among other things, taken stock. What is your interim conclusion regarding the development of this new district over the past ten years?

Gregor Puscher: From our perspective, Seestadt is an outstanding example of sustainable and future-oriented district development. This is also recognized by experts, as seen in the feedback from numerous visiting delegations. As a developer, Wien 3420 does excellent work. They are on site, know the daily life of residents and businesses, act as contacts and points of contact, and take care of everything related to Seestadt’s development. This presence guarantees a positive identification for the people who live and work here—and is thus a key success factor. We can now look back on four completed, successful developer competitions, which have implemented suitable affordable housing solutions and urban design highlights. And we are very confident that the developer competition in the Seecarré quarter will make another contribution to the diversity of the extensive housing offer. For the benefit of Seestadt residents. Because that’s what it’s all about in the end.