The city of tomorrow communicates and grows with its residents. Urban researcher Cornelia Dlabaja is convinced of this and explains on a walk through Seestadt how and why this works so well here.

Where the U2 line ends, the anonymity of the big city also fades: Here in Seestadt, people know and greet each other, and you can escape the noise of the urban jungle for a short while. Yet, this district has been sown with urbanity and carefully nurtured: Modern residential complexes rise tall in the north of Vienna, but there is still plenty of space for urban development and early summer strolls. “You know what?” says urban researcher Cornelia Dlabaja. “When I first visited Seestadt in 2014, there were only fields all around.” Today, just a few years later, you’ll find cozy restaurants and fashion boutiques here, as well as a ceramics workshop or a dog salon. For the researcher, this is the best proof of how Seestadt continues to develop.
Dlabaja is a sociologist and cultural scientist specializing in housing and urban research, social inequality, migration, protest research, and urban development. Her studies took the Viennese to Paris, Darmstadt, and back to Vienna—and also to Seestadt: “As part of my research, I lived in Seestadt for several months. In total, it was five months.” Why? “To explore the everyday life and internal perspectives of the district.”

There from the very beginning

Since 2008, when Cornelia first held the master plan for Seestadt in her hands, the researcher has clearly developed a passion for this district. “I wanted to know how this master plan would be implemented, how a new district would emerge from the ground, and how contemporary urban development would unfold. And I wanted to research who would live here and what life in Seestadt would actually be like.” No sooner said than done. Dlabaja took over the operational management of the Seestadt aspern settlement monitoring and, together with her team, has been scientifically accompanying the settlement process of a new urban area for the City of Vienna since 2015.

But what is it that makes life in Seestadt so attractive? “On the one hand, it’s the chance to move into a new district,” says Dlabaja, “on the other hand, it’s the desire to live surrounded by greenery and, above all, with a view of nature.” People were promised more nature combined with urbanity, based on the renderings—the promotional images of urban development. “What was overlooked at the time,” the urban researcher points out, “was the fact that Seestadt was, of course, not yet finished at the beginning, and the first residents moved in while construction was still in full swing.” Trendy cafés or great shops? Of course, those didn’t exist back then. The result: expectations of a green, urban oasis were not immediately met. Criticism of Seestadt slowly began to emerge.

People often forget the factor of time, which plays a crucial role in urban development, Dlabaja emphasizes: “This district is still in the making!” Urban planning is comparable to freshly sown grass. “It simply takes time to grow, just like the city itself and the neighborhood,” she explains as we pass Hannah-Arendt-Platz.

The sociologist points to the restaurants across the street: “You simply have to give this project time.” Until 2017, there was criticism that there were too few dining options. Today, attractive restaurants like Portobello or See22 next door invite you to linger.

This district is still in the making. City and neighborhood need time to grow.

Cornelia Dlabaja

Thinking Ahead

But, the expert reveals, there was one special feature right from the start—the managed shopping street. “Residents were provided with everyday essentials from the very beginning. There was a mini-supermarket, which has now become the popular Leo bakery (1). But also the bank and other shops where you could always find daily necessities.” According to Dlabaja, this forward-thinking approach to planning should always take precedence over simply achieving sales targets in urban development. “Setting up something like this, for what was then only about 500 people with little prospect of high turnover, isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to attract more residents and businesses.”

Engagement. Seestadt residents sometimes work with planners in building groups for years. © Patricia Weisskirchner, Luiza Puiu

For Dlabaja, Seestadt is a district that is constantly evolving and also learns from its residents and users. After all, they are the ones who help shape the district. “There are residents who have really worked together with planners in building groups for years,” she reports. Top of the to-do list: sustainability and environmental protection. This is immediately noticeable when strolling through the various residential buildings. Everywhere you look, things are growing and thriving, and “up on the roofs of some buildings you’ll find communal raised beds,” Dlabaja explains, pointing to the top floor of a building.

Looking around the neighborhood, you might almost feel a touch of village romance. Children playing in their sandbox, cats roaming free, and elderly ladies happily gardening in the community garden behind the house. Speaking of gardens – that’s our next stop. “The Seestadt Garden (3) actually existed before the district was even settled.” Since 2011, organic gardening has been practiced there, ensuring biodiversity in the urban district. Due to construction work, the garden had to move to the southwest in 2014. “Another thing that defines Seestadt today and in the future: its mobile infrastructure,” Dlabaja explains.

Here Today, There Tomorrow

“What’s typical for this district is that many businesses first appear as small pop-up stores before developing into larger enterprises,” the researcher explains as we spot the previously mentioned Leo bakery in the distance. A prime example of how mobile infrastructure works. “Initially conceived as a mini-store, it’s now one of the main meeting points for Seestadt residents.” Or “the student dormitory, which was intended as a temporary solution for a specific area.” If these spaces are needed elsewhere, the facilities are relocated to another site. According to the urban researcher, this preserves so-called opportunity spaces, which can be used flexibly as needed. A promising approach that, according to Dlabaja, will serve as a model for future urban development projects. Above all, it should give new businesses the chance to establish themselves here.

Entrepreneurial spirit. The Seeseiten bookstore has been part of Seestadt from the very beginning. © Patricia Weisskirchner, Luiza Puiu

Next stop: Business

We are currently talking about Seestadt’s economic development as we pass the Seeseiten bookstore (2). “A prime example of Seestadt’s entrepreneurial spirit,” the expert enthuses, briefly reminiscing, “because this bookstore has been part of Seestadt from the very start.” Once ridiculed for their courage, the seemingly modest shop has become probably the most media-savvy institution in Seestadt – it has received and continues to receive a lot of coverage.

Growth. The greenery, like the residents and infrastructure, is also steadily increasing. © Patricia Weisskirchner, Luiza Puiu

After all, readings are held here regularly and even well-known authors enjoy presenting their works. “It’s exactly these small businesses that are so important – for the neighborhood and the social fabric.”

Dlabaja calls these businesses pioneers of Seestadt. “They encourage others to settle here as well.” But how did they become so successful? “Because they are constantly growing with the city and its residents.” And here we are again – with the learning city. Our walk ends where this learning and growth becomes obvious – right by the lake. Even Seestadt expert Cornelia Dlabaja is always surprised at this spot during her walks: “Do you see the houses on the other side of the shore? Not so long ago, there was nothing here but fields.” So Seestadt is constantly evolving. Will it ever stop learning? Even Cornelia Dlabaja can’t say. But the city will surely teach us more.