Development of a Climate Neutrality Roadmap for the City of Leoben

Leoben, the second largest city in Styria with a population of around 28,000, is a traditional industrial location and faces the challenge of becoming climate-neutral by 2040.

With the Voestalpine plant, Leoben is an important location for the Austria iron and steel industry, and the Montanuniversität also lends the city scientific significance. However, declining population figures, high numbers of commuters, vacancies and industrial wastelands pose major challenges.

Leoben wants to counteract the population decline - a drop of 8% is expected by 2040 and as much as 14% by 2060 - by improving the quality of life. A central goal is a car-free city centre by 2040 – a major challenge in view of the high proportion of private cars and a very high number of commuters. Alternative parking options outside the city centre, attractive footpaths and sustainable transport alternatives are exemplary measures that should contribute to achieving this goal.

The problems of vacancies and industrial wastelands are to be countered with new utilization concepts, and vacant areas are to be greened as an alternative.

Through synergies between industry and the city, sustainable renovation concepts and renewable energies, Leoben is to become a model city for climate neutrality.

• City Leoben