Stahlstadt
Re-loaded
Collaborators
City of Linz
Climate Change Center Austria
Location
Linz | Austria
Experts
Prof. Ute Schneider | KCAP
Birgit Hausleitner | Urban Design TU Delft
Dominik Kreil | City of Linz
About the Project
On December 2, 2025, Jakob Pesendorfer, junior scientist with the AG Nachwuchswissenschaft (CCCA Climate Change Center Austria), presented the findings and approaches from his master’s thesis “Re-thinking Steelscapes” at the Wissensturm in Linz. The central focus of his work was the question of how Linz can be re-envisioned and strategically positioned in light of current and future challenges, particularly industrial transformation processes as well as socio-economic and urban development dynamics. He presented both theoretical approaches and concrete spatial perspectives for sustainable and resilient urban development.
To enable a comprehensive examination of these topics, experts from public administration, research, and professional practice were invited to Linz. Participants included Dominik Kreil (Climate Coordinator, City of Linz) as well as external experts with international research and planning experience, such as Birgit Hausleitner (Urban Design TU Delft) and Ute Schneider (KCAP Zurich). Together with them, a stimulating and multifaceted discourse emerged on the future of the city and possible paths of development.
Jakob Pesendorfer, Dominik Kreil, Ute Schneider
1. The need for a citywide and integrated strategic orientation
The necessity of a more integrated and flexible approach to urban planning was emphasized. Issues such as ecological compatibility, social inclusion, and economic sustainability must be considered beyond individual plots of land and administrative boundaries. Only in this way can a robust framework for the future be created that will make Linz resilient and livable in the long term.
2. Linz does not end at the administrative city borders
A key outcome of the discourse was the importance of the metropolitan region “Central Upper Austria” (Zentralraum Oberösterreich). Commuter flows, industrial material cycles, as well as ecological systems such as the Traun and the Danube extend far beyond municipal and provincial borders. Spatial planning and design therefore need to be conceived at a regional, intermunicipal, and supra-local level.
3. Positive examples and best practices
Linz already has strong foundations!
However, these still need to be translated much more clearly into a spatial context in order to create truly tangible, high-quality and inclusive spaces for everyone.