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Dispute over Heumarkt: Delays endanger Vienna's culture and jobs!
The Heumarkt project in Vienna is causing a dispute between the city, investors and UNESCO. Impact on local businesses and the environment discussed.
Dispute over Heumarkt: Delays endanger Vienna's culture and jobs!
Current developments surrounding the controversialHeumarkt projectin Vienna are causing excitement among the local companies and the city's cultural workers. The background to the conflict is the dispute between the city of Vienna, the investors from Wertinvest and UNESCO about the necessaryEnvironmental impact assessment (EIA). While Wertinvest and the City of Vienna are of the opinion that no EIA is necessary, NGOs and UNESCO are calling for one due to concerns about the city's historical visual axis. TheAdministrative Courthas now decided that one of the project variants actually requires an EIA.
The affected institutions in the Heumarkt area are particularly interested in the next negotiations, which are scheduled for December. These include thisVienna Concert Hall, theVienna Ice Skating Cluband thatHotel Intercontinental. The latter finds itself in a difficult position: it urgently needs a major overhaul as the infrastructure is outdated and investments have been frozen due to delays. Over 200 hotel employees demand planning security so as not to endanger their professional future.
Impact on cultural workers
The Vienna Konzerthaus is over in the current season900 eventsand about600,000 visitorsto be recorded. Those responsible demand a high-quality public space in order to offer visitors an appealing environment. The condition of the immediate surroundings has been inadequate for years and is in urgent need of improvement. In an agreement with Wertinvest it was also stipulated that the acoustically sensitive game operations should be taken into account during the construction phase.
The Vienna Ice Skating Club has not yet issued a statement on the developments. Meanwhile, Vienna remains at riskUNESCO Red List, which underlines the urgency of reaching an agreement.
A look into the future
An additional negotiation on the EIA process at Heumarkt shows that the patience of the city and the companies affected will be tested. The uncertainty not only affects investors, but also plays a crucial role for Vienna's cultural landscape. Further information can be found on ORF Vienna.