“One of the biggest challenges for our city planners and architects lies in the combination of high quality living space and high quality outdoor space with a high level of density” according to Michael Häupl, Mayor of Vienna. In a city with 1.757 million inhabitants, around 85% of the volume of the new homes constructed are social housing projects. These are subject to a competition to receive subsidies in order to encourage innovative architectural techniques and the preservation of the environment. In 2010, 20% to 30% of the new homes were built to passive house standards.
 
Furthermore, Vienna has introduced the SMART-Flats initiative which follows the strategy of providing compact flats with low rents and offering attractive community spaces to compensate. For example, until 2011, 900 flats were built in the area of former railway stations. Because the living space is reduced, the energy consumption decreases as well. At the same time, Vienna is cooperating with private companies in order to reduce its car parking space with 50% to make room for bike facilities.

Finally, the city focuses on wood as a construction resource for housing complexes and meets in this way high environmental standards. The material brings warmth, comfort and sustainability to the residents. An example is the seven storey building located in Vienna, the largest wooden housing complex of Austria.

Further information: http://www.klimabuendnis.org/fileadmin/inhalte/dokumente/2013/Competitive_Europe_local_vision_final.pdf

Covenant of Mayors 2013. Case Study Vienna, 'Green Social Housing for All': http://www.eumayors.eu/IMG/pdf/Vienna_Case_Study_Covenant_Mayors.pdf
The Covenant of Mayors in Vienna: http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/media/videos_en.html?videoid=127