Court stops Heumarkt high-rise: focus on the environment and Viennese citizens!

Court stops Heumarkt high-rise: focus on the environment and Viennese citizens!

Now it's official: The Heumarkt high-rise project in Vienna has suffered a serious setback. On November 4, 2025, the Federal Administrative Court ruled that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) is necessary before construction can move forward. This decision, as by ad hoc news reported, could lead to significant delays or even a complete redesign of Wertinvest's ambitious project.

A hotly debated point of contention is that the high-rise could impair the Canaletto view of the city center from the Belvedere. This was taken up not least by UNESCO, which is calling for a reduction in the building height in order to protect the World Heritage status of the historic old town. Citizens' initiatives and monument conservationists are relieved by the verdict and are now hoping for a broader debate about the future of Vienna.

The plans for the Lobau Tunnel

But while the Heumarkt project is stalling, the Lobau tunnel project is continuing happily. Transport Minister Peter Hanke has approved the construction of a 2.7 billion euro tunnel that will be 8.2 kilometers long and cross the Donau-Auen National Park. The declared goal is to relieve the congested south-east bypass A23. However, there is also slight criticism here.

Experts from the Vienna University of Technology express concerns that the tunnel will not bring any measurable economic benefit and, in the worst case, could even increase car traffic, which counteracts the desired effect of relieving congestion. They advocate investing in public transport instead in order to find more environmentally friendly solutions. There is a clear area of ​​tension between different interests in the city.

Citizen participation and environmental protection

It is obvious that there are increasing conflicts in Vienna due to rapid growth. Citizens and initiatives are active against densification and the loss of green spaces, as shown by the resistance to the four-track expansion of the southern railway line. Here, residents fear noise, vibrations and a deterioration in their quality of life. The fundamental question is: How do you find the balance between creating living space and quality of life?

In addition, the discrepancy between urban development plans and the wishes of the population cannot be overlooked. Critics often criticize the late involvement of citizens who have the feeling that their voice is not being heard. Information about ongoing environmental impact assessments can be found on the website Vienna Environmental Protection Action Group be read. There, citizens have the opportunity to actively participate in the approval process.

What happens next remains to be seen. The possible introduction of lawsuits and protests against the Lobau Tunnel is in the offing and the dangers of Vienna losing its World Heritage status if the high-rise plans at Heumarkt are continued should not be underestimated. It remains exciting to see how the city will tackle the challenges.