5th Impulse Evening, 17.04.2024
“Vacancies as an opportunity for future development worth living in”
A look at the villages and towns of the Weinviertel region makes it clear that vacancy is a universal indicator of change. However, every abandoned building holds enormous potential for innovative (re)use. At the impulse evening of the "Full House Weinviertel" initiative on April 17, 2024 in Hochleithen, the focus was precisely on this topic: "Vacant buildings as an opportunity for future development worth living in".
„How we will live in the future“
Impulse speech Dr. Raimund Gutmann, wohnbund:consult
In his impulse speech, Dr. Raimund Gutmann spoke about future forms of housing and shed light on how housing could be shaped in the future and what demands young people in particular have on their form of housing. The focus was on questions such as: How will people live in the future? What needs and requirements will be placed on living spaces? Gutmann also presented successful examples of how vacant properties can be used sensibly for residential purposes. Some of these examples deal with the conversion of old farmhouses into apartment buildings. These practical examples serve as inspiration and show how vacancies can be effectively combated and at the same time meet the need for contemporary living space.
The aim of this input was to give the participants ideas and suggestions on how a vacant house can be adapted to meet today's living requirements. It should be made clear that vacancy is not only a problem, but also an opportunity to develop creative and sustainable living concepts. Click here for the Handout.
„Dorfplatz St. Andrä-Wördern – a place of opportunities and togetherness“
Impulse speech Barbara Oberndorfer, Geschäftsführerin Dorfplatz St. Andrä-Wördern
The DORFPLATZ project is a socio-economic center for cooperative working, learning and living. Since 2015, the "Dorfplatz" has been created in the former stud farm in St. Andrä-Wördern - a real meeting place with a wide range of opportunities for everyone.
In her impulse speech, Barbara Obendorfer, Managing Director of the St. Andrä-Wördern DORFPLATZ, provided insights into the development of the project. She began by talking about the role of the Dorfplatz for the community, followed by the history of its creation and the former vacancy. Various questions were answered: How did the idea for the new use come about, who drove it forward and what role did the team of initiators play? The financing of the project, who set it up and how it was ultimately implemented were also discussed. The aim of this speech was to give the participants ideas and suggestions on how something new and valuable can be created from a vacant building or area. In particular, it will show how vacancies can be successfully combated through creative concepts and community involvement. Click here for the Handout.