The Urban Immune System

A connected healthcare offering has always been part of the Seestadt concept: “That was important to us from the very beginning, because Seestadt is not just any urban expansion project, but is meant to take on a relevant central function for the 22nd district and the surrounding areas,” explains Gerhard Schuster, CEO of the development company Wien 3420 aspern Development AG. “This includes not only educational opportunities, childcare, culture, and sports, but also, crucially, healthcare services.” Accordingly, there have been early efforts to network the medical and therapeutic providers based here and to ensure that the primary care structure continues to grow. That’s why the “Stadthaus” in the Pioneer Quarter already houses numerous practices, but the developers want to go further. “For several years, through the ‘gemeinsam gesund’ initiative, with financial support from the federal government and the City of Vienna and based on a resident survey, we looked at what exists, what is still needed, and supported various priorities,” says the CEO. The next step was to monitor how the providers are doing. To continue attracting qualified medical staff to Aspern in the future, it’s important to ask those already here what else is needed. After all, doctors, therapists, and healthcare providers also appreciate finding a well-developed network – from insurance contracts and therapy options to the ability to refer patients to colleagues in other specialties nearby. The aim is to foster “good exchange and togetherness,” Schuster explains. Because a functioning healthcare offering – with an emphasis on “health” – also includes things that don’t treat or cure, but prevent: sports and leisure activities that enable a healthy work-life balance. In Seestadt, you’ll find everything from pole dance studios to equestrian simulators; from baby spas to the boulderbar in the “Am Seebogen” quarter – and new options are constantly being added.

In addition to this project, the real estate service provider, who is also based in Seestadt, is pleased about existing additions in the health sector: “These include the Gate 9 fitness center and the Dormero Hotel, whose guests can use the fitness and wellness facilities at Gate 9. This complements our vision of a holistic and healthy lifestyle.” Tech2People will certainly be among the most spectacular tenants from autumn onwards with their unique therapeutic concept: using an exoskeleton that enables people with paraplegia to stand and walk upright again. The founder and mastermind behind Tech2People is Gregor Demblin, who has been in a wheelchair since an accident at the age of 18 – and despite intensive training, was unable to walk again. That changed in 2017, when Demblin wore an exoskeleton for the first time, allowing him to stand up, walk, and communicate at eye level with others. An experience the researcher wanted to make possible for other people with disabilities – and so the Viennese founded Tech2people, a therapy center offering neuro-, physio-, and occupational therapy at an entirely new level. In addition, scientists here are working on software that will make it possible to better measure the progress of physiotherapy in the future.

The wide range of options benefits not only the people in Seestadt and residents of the surrounding regions, but also the location itself. This is because it is increasingly attracting people who travel to the capital for medical reasons. A key hub is the Dormero Hotel in the HoHo: So if someone seeks treatment in Seestadt in the future, they can spend a few days here, make a quick trip to the city center between therapies, or enjoy an event at the Kulturgarage. With its own conference rooms and the nearby ARIANA event location, the hotel and site also appeal to international medical professionals who attend the annual specialist congresses in Vienna. “What comes to mind are, among others, the radiologists and cardiologists, who sometimes have up to 20,000 participants at their events,” reports Johannes Lutter, Head of Urban Development & Mobility at the Climate and Innovation Agency “Urban Innovation Vienna,” who regularly contributes to the strategy papers on Vienna’s visitor economy, published every five years. A sector that is slowly regaining its former strength after the pandemic, albeit in a changed form: “The conference landscape is naturally changing, not just because of COVID, but also due to compliance rules,” the expert explains. That’s why people no longer stay in the well-known five-star hotels, the supporting program is closely related to the field, and everything is more compact.

A new situation that also opens up opportunities for Seestadt, as the potential to position itself as a new health destination is great. “There is a concentration of innovation and research here, a smart, sustainable district around a lake that also offers work-life balance – and a public space designed by the best minds,” he praises Seestadt. In addition, with three biotech companies already established, Seestadt has gained a certain reputation in the industry. Seestadt also already has everything else needed to become an attractive destination: the so-called five “A”s – derived from Attractions, Activities, Accommodation, Accessibility, and Amenities. “From landmarks like the multitasking HoHo Vienna, to further hotel infrastructure, the highly professional ARIANA event location, and the pleasant atmosphere everywhere thanks to traffic calming,” says Lutter. He also foresees further improvements in accessibility in the near future: “When, in a few years, the high-speed train runs between Vienna city center and Bratislava, and Seestadt is halfway, I can imagine that this could become another factor of attractiveness.” In the meantime, not only is the railway getting faster, but Seestadt is also growing – and with it, the diverse urban offering.

You can find an overview of Seestadt’s health and leisure offerings here.