Seestadt expansion in Vienna: Environmentalists accuse Sima of disinformation!

Seestadt expansion in Vienna: Environmentalists accuse Sima of disinformation!

Vienna is facing a significant upheaval in urban development: the city government is planning to expand Seestadt after the S1 northeast bypass was recently approved by the federal government. Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) has already given the green light for the realization of the S1. The planning councilor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) sees this decision as an opportunity to further develop the district. But not everyone is convinced by this argument.

The environmental organization VIRUS makes allegations against Sima and speaks of targeted disinformation. Wolfgang Rehm, spokesman for VIRUS, emphasizes that the expansion of Seestadt is possible without building new roads. Rehm is particularly critical of the fact that a decisive court ruling from August 12th was not sufficiently communicated, which made the expansion of the Seestadt possible. “The operating company Vienna 3420 aspern development AG has not made this information public,” he criticizes.

A central point of contention: the environmental impact assessment

Meanwhile, VIRUS also raises questions about the environmental impact assessment (EIA). These procedures are important for large infrastructure projects and enable citizens to actively participate. In Vienna, environmental impact statements (EIS) are constantly available for inspection. Citizens can submit comments and raise qualified objections to protect their rights during the six weeks of the requirement. Citizens' initiatives in particular have a relevant role here and must collect 200 signatures to submit their statement.

Another controversial topic is the Lobau Tunnel, which is also in the context of this traffic planning. At a recent press conference in Vienna, VIRUS presented a follow-up to the legal opinion that brought the Lobau Tunnel before the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It remains to be seen how legal questions regarding the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will develop, since according to legal requirements, permits based on inadequate SEAs are invalid. Dr. Thomas Müller from the University of Innsbruck has made it clear that no further steps are permitted without a proper SUP.

The political framework and next steps

The political landscape is paved with contradictory decisions that look back on historical precedents, such as those of Werner Faymann and Doris Bures. These variations in handling by transport ministers have a significant impact on the approval processes. At the moment, Peter Hanke, who is responsible for the S1, has limited freedom of decision due to the existing legal framework, and starting construction before 2031 is hardly realistic.

In summary, it remains exciting to see what development the Seestadt and the surrounding projects will develop in the next few years. While the city government is resolutely sticking to its course, environmental organizations and citizens' initiatives are warning of possible legal and ecological consequences. The dialogue between the city, the authorities and the affected citizens will play a central role.

Further information on current EIA procedures can be found on the official website of the City of Vienna: [Vienna Environment Agency](https://wua-wien.at/buerger Beteiligung/aktuelle-uvp-verfahren).

The development of the Lobau Tunnel will be particularly interesting, as it will not only influence Vienna's transport policy, but could also have supra-regional effects. The VIRUS team is staying on the ball and calling for more transparency in the decision-making processes. Current details can be found at lobau.org.

Thanks to the reporting by oe24.at the waves have passed and the topic remains on the urban development agenda.