Scientists Present Climate Protection Demands to New Vienna City Government: 30 km/h Zones Throughout Vienna and More Expensive Parking Permits

An effective measure would be to limit the speed across the entire traffic network to 30 kilometers per hour, widen sidewalks by narrowing the roadways, and replace the 500,000 gas boilers in Vienna with environmentally friendly heating systems, the scientists explained on Wednesday during an online press conference.

Climate Protection Measures: Fewer Parking Spaces, More Expensive Parking Permits, and Smaller Zones Demanded

Traffic causes 35 percent and thus the most greenhouse gas emissions in Vienna, explained Ulrich Leth from the Research Area of Traffic Planning and Traffic Engineering at the Technical University of Vienna: "This makes it the main concern for the future city government." Car traffic also occupies two-thirds of the traffic areas, although only 25 percent of journeys are made with it. "These areas are missing for safe bike paths, wider sidewalks, recreational areas, and shading, so that Vienna remains pleasantly habitable in the coming years, which will be hotter due to climate change," he said.

The city has set itself the goal of reducing the share of car journeys to 15 percent. There are various measures for this. The expert suggested, for example, a mandatory upper instead of a lower limit for car parking spaces in residential buildings. "This would simultaneously make housing cheaper," said Leth. The zones for parking permits should be reduced, and prices increased. "A comprehensive speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour, except on highways and expressways, would massively increase traffic safety and the quality of life for people in Vienna, while simultaneously promoting pedestrian and bicycle traffic," the expert believes. Public transport should "experience consistent prioritization measures over cars," so that public transport only needs to stop at stations, not at intersections and in traffic jams.

Lobau Tunnel Would Undermine Climate Protection Goals in Vienna

Digging the Lobau Tunnel would be counterproductive, said Leth: "All studies of the past 25 years show that this would cause more car traffic and pump it into the city area." This would undermine the self-imposed emission and mobility goals of the city of Vienna. Buildings also cause many greenhouse gas emissions, namely 30 percent in Vienna, said Constanze Frech from the Renewable Energy Department at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien: "90 percent of those emissions are due to the existing approximately 500,000 gas heaters." By 2040, 31,600 gas boilers would have to disappear annually and be replaced by heating and hot water systems with renewable energy to adhere to the "Vienna Climate Plan," said the expert: "To achieve an increase in the thermal renovation rate, the renovation obligation set in the EU Building Directive for non-residential buildings could be extended to residential buildings." The press conference was organized by "Diskurs - The Science Network."

"Vienna Has Been Successfully Working on Climate Protection Measures in All Areas for Decades"

In response, SP councilor Erich Valentin referred to steps already taken and planned for the future. "Vienna has been successfully working on climate protection measures in all areas for decades and will continue to do so to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2040. Vienna shows that climate protection and quality of life go hand in hand," he stated. He cited Austria's first climate law, tree protection, green spaces and tree planting, or the bicycle path and public transport offensive as examples.

Since 2005, as Valentin explained, climate-damaging greenhouse gases in the city have been reduced by 31 percent. The decline can be seen in almost all sectors. Energy consumption has also been significantly reduced compared to the national average, he explained. At the same time, solar power capacity has quintupled in less than five years. "Of course," the transport sector is also a central focus of urban climate protection, emphasized Valentin. Numerous traffic-calming measures such as bicycle streets or speed reductions have been implemented or asphalt areas have been unsealed. The expansion of public transport is also progressing.

(APA/Red)

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