Climate change significantly influences our living environments and urban planning. Recognizing this, NPR is dedicating an entire week to highlight innovative solutions for adapting to a hotter planet. One exemplary model can be found in Vienna, where modern architecture meets sustainability in a way that benefits the community and the environment.
At the heart of Vienna, nestled beside a sprawling park, lies a contemporary building characterized by abundant windows and a stylish wood facade. For the past six years, Sebastian Schublach and his family have resided in a bright, four-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor. The building showcases numerous sustainable features, including rooftop solar panels that mitigate climate pollution and a rooftop garden filled with rosemary, which aids in cooling the structure during the hot summer months.
Schublach’s apartment boasts thick, insulated walls that significantly reduce the need for both heating and cooling. Remarkably, the apartment functions without an air conditioner. "It’s not cold in winter times. It’s not hot in summer times," Schublach states. "It’s very comfortable." This kind of climate-conscious living is, unfortunately, a rarity in the United States, where such high-quality, climate-friendly apartments tend to be both scarce and expensive, as noted by Daniel Aldana Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
In contrast to the U.S., Vienna's sustainable housing projects, particularly those classified as social housing, are not only widespread but also affordable. Approximately half of Vienna's 2 million residents live in social housing, which is either built or supported by the government. Gerald Kössl, a researcher at the Austrian Federation of Limited-Profit Housing Associations, reveals that average rents for social housing hover around $700 for a spacious one-bedroom apartment. Schublach pays approximately $1,700 monthly for his four-bedroom unit, which he considers affordable.
In stark contrast, the U.S. is grappling with a housing crisis, where over 22 million renting households are burdened by spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, as per the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. With climate change exacerbating the housing crisis through extreme weather events, the need for affordable, climate-resilient homes has never been more pressing.
Vienna's leaders are leveraging their extensive social housing program as a critical tool in their ambitious climate action strategy. City council member Nina Abrahamczik emphasizes the city’s commitment to transitioning its buildings away from climate-damaging fossil fuels, starting with the 420,000 housing units they own or subsidize. "If you have these buildings, you can make choices regarding those buildings," she explains.
This spring, Vienna passed a groundbreaking climate law with a goal of achieving zero climate pollution by 2040. The city is focusing on its vast social housing stock, which includes 220,000 city-owned units and 200,000 city-subsidized apartments, many of which were built during a postwar housing crisis between 1919 and 1934.
As part of its climate strategy, Vienna is investing in advanced technologies such as electric heat pumps and geothermal systems to heat homes, moving away from fossil fuels. Recent mandates require all new buildings to incorporate rooftop solar panels, and existing structures are undergoing retrofits to enhance energy efficiency.
Veronika Iwanowski, a spokesperson for Vienna's municipal housing company, Wiener Wohnen, highlights the importance of upgrading older buildings with new insulation and windows to combat energy loss. "The sun, he says, doesn’t send an energy bill," Czernohorszky notes, emphasizing the financial benefits of energy-efficient housing.
Schublach’s residence, known as Gleis 21, exemplifies how Vienna utilizes city-subsidized housing to inspire innovative climate-friendly designs. The city organizes competitions for developers to win land and low-interest loans, ensuring that submissions align with the city's main ecological goals. These competitions have increasingly prioritized sustainable features, rewarding developers for energy efficiency and the use of green materials.
The land that now hosts Schublach's apartment was once an old rail yard. A decade ago, a group of friends and acquaintances, led by architect Markus Zilker, submitted a proposal focused on sustainable building practices, which ultimately secured them the plot. The integration of climate-friendly elements into the design played a pivotal role in their success.
Vienna's future planning also includes new developments like Seestadt, which emphasizes climate change resilience. This project incorporates the "sponge city" concept, designed to minimize flooding risks through innovative landscaping. Sunken planters help absorb excess rainwater during storms, alleviating pressure on the sewer system.
Hofstetter emphasizes the importance of holistic climate resilience in social housing. Features like trees for cooling, bike lanes for reduced pollution, and pedestrian-friendly streets create a dignified living environment for all residents, making it easier to adapt to climate challenges.
While the U.S. federal government grapples with climate policies, local governments are taking the lead in addressing both the housing crisis and climate change. Cities like Chicago are exploring funding options for climate-friendly housing, drawing inspiration from Vienna's model of social housing. The city plans to allocate $135 million towards affordable, sustainable living spaces.
Local leaders recognize that retrofitting existing housing and constructing new, climate-resilient buildings will play a crucial role in reducing emissions, as 70% of Chicago's emissions stem from buildings. Yoon notes, "We can't reduce emissions without building much more sustainable housing." The intertwining of housing and climate action is becoming increasingly evident.
Vienna's social housing model emphasizes the importance of mixed-income communities, providing residents from various social classes with equal access to high-quality amenities. This inclusive approach not only fosters community but also enhances the system's long-term viability.
As cities in the U.S. look to implement similar models, the lessons from Vienna underscore the need for balance in affordable housing strategies. Mixed-income housing is integral to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, benefits from sustainable living opportunities.
As climate change reshapes the landscape of homeownership, many Americans are finding the traditional dream of owning a single-family home increasingly unattainable. Schublach echoes this sentiment, likening the dream of a home in the countryside to the American dream. However, he believes that Vienna's climate-friendly social housing offers a new vision of community and sustainability.
In his building, neighbors support each other, creating a sense of belonging that transcends traditional notions of home. "If somebody needs a banana at 8 p.m., you get a banana within one minute," Schublach shares. As climate challenges continue to loom, he remains optimistic that the principles of Vienna's housing model can inspire similar initiatives across the U.S. "If it can be done in a city like Vienna with 2 million inhabitants, I see no reason why this cannot be done in any major or smaller U.S. city," Schublach concludes.
