2024-02-26 11:48:45
In its position paper, the Federal Chamber of Civil Engineers (zt) calls on politicians and business to make sensible use of already developed areas and to limit any further use of land.
The chamber refers to figures from the Federal Environment Agency, according to which 41 square kilometers of land are used in Austria every year, which is roughly the size of Eisenstadt. A significant portion of these areas will be sealed. Covering the soil with layers that are impermeable to air and water leads to the death of soil life: “Biologically productive soils are permanently lost,” warned the chamber.
Criticism of calls for “home ownership bonus”
The chamber, which represents architects and civil engineers, criticized the social partners’ demand for a “home ownership bonus”. According to the architect and chamber president Daniel Fügenschuh, currently relying on new buildings and therefore on sealing in order to stimulate the construction industry would be like doctors calling for another pandemic in order to be able to treat more patients.
Instead of building new ones, incentives should be created to make renovations and adaptations to existing buildings more attractive. According to the chamber, this is not just regarding “individual buildings” but regarding entire “neighborhoods”.
For the interest group, this includes the “strengthening and densification” of town centers. The concept of the “15-minute city”, in which all everyday journeys can be completed in a maximum of fifteen minutes, should also be formulated as a “binding goal”.
Correspondence between Kogler and Mikl-Leitner
The issue of soil protection has recently caused disagreement between the coalition parties. Last week, Vice Chancellor Kogler appealed in a letter to Governor Mikl-Leitner to have a positive influence on reluctant federal states. The aim is to limit land consumption to 2.5 hectares per day by 2030, as set out in the government program. Mikl-Leitner is currently chairwoman of the State Governors’ Conference.
According to figures from the Federal Environment Agency, Austria is far from meeting the goals of the government program with a daily land consumption of 11.3 hectares for construction activities, transport and operational areas.
Mikl-Leitner also replied to the Vice Chancellor in writing on Sunday. In her letter, the ÖVP politician spoke out in favor of a discussion “within a reasonable framework”. The federal states are ready to “finalize a practical soil protection strategy”. In addition to soil protection, there are “many other legitimate concerns” among the population. Affordable housing, the expansion of childcare and investments in the energy transition are mentioned in the letter.
Binding requirements for land consumption
In its position paper entitled “Climate, Soil & Society”, the Chamber of Civil Engineers called for a “Soil Protection Framework Act” that would create “binding requirements at the federal, state and local levels”. Mandatory nationwide specifications and limit values for states and municipalities would have to be introduced for soil use and soil sealing.
Instead of “quantitative” growth, “qualitative” growth should be rewarded, “for example through appropriate tax measures,” it is said. From the Chamber’s perspective, this requires a reform of financial equalization and local tax. There is also a need for greater support for local public transport, especially in rural areas.
Focus on achieving climate goals
The other chapters of the position paper cover, among other things, the topics of climate protection, energy, raw materials and social and social policy.
Given the fact that 40 percent of the EU’s energy needs come from buildings, civil engineers are calling for a revision of standards and regulations with a view to achieving climate goals. They also advocate the creation of supra-regional and regional energy spatial plans and the acceleration of approval procedures for energy infrastructure projects.
Call for vacancy monitoring
The additional costs for climate-friendly construction should not fall on weaker sections of the population, but the chamber sees the promotion of social housing as an instrument. Also included in the position paper is the call for nationwide vacancy monitoring.
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