Ljubljana and Vienna exchange on social housing

The city workshop on social housing in Ljubljana on 6 November 2024 brought a wealth of expertise and lively exchanges. Two talks, followed by a panel discussion, provided expert knowledge on the subject.

The International Office of the City of Vienna in Ljubljana, in cooperation with Wiener Wohnen (municipal housing in Vienna), the Austrian Cultural Forum Ljubljana and the Municipality of Ljubljana, opened an exhibition "The Vienna Model of Social Housing" in Ljubljana at the beginning of November. The exhibition provides an insight into the strategies that Vienna is successfully using to address one of the biggest challenges of our time - providing affordable and quality housing for all residents. The day after the opening, experts from Vienna and Ljubljana discussed the current housing policy challenges and opportunities in Ljubljana.

Exhibition opening and international dialogue

On Tuesday, 5 November, the exhibition was opened at Ljubljana City Hall by Simon Maljevac, the Slovenian Minister of Solidarity-Based Future, the Austrian Ambassador Konrad Bühler, the Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana, Rok Znidarsic, the Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum Ljubljana, Sonja Reiser-Weinzettel, the Head of the International Office of the City of Vienna in Ljubljana, Anja Slekovec, and the curator of the exhibition and Head of the International Relations Department at Wiener Wohnen, Christian Schantl. All emphasised the importance of the knowledge exchange between the two cities and presented specific housing policy approaches.

On 6 November, the focus was on professional exchange and international dialogue. Experts and politicians were keenly interested in the exhibition "The Vienna Model of Social Housing", acknowledging the importance of dialogue between the two cities and seeking joint solutions to the challenges of modern housing construction. Experts from Vienna also presented innovative approaches, for example in strategic planning, long-term investment in non-profit housing construction and commitment to social integration, which helps Vienna to maintain its reputation as the city with the highest quality of life in Europe.

Expert knowledge on all aspects of housing

The event started with two talks by Viennese experts: Christian Schantl presented the successful Vienna model of social housing. He explained the main approaches that make high-quality housing affordable for all residents. Julia Peterbauer, from the Vienna Social Fund (Fonds Soziales Wien), highlighted the situation of socially disadvantaged groups, in particular older people. She also explained the measures Vienna is taking to improve their living conditions.

The varied programme was followed by a lively panel discussion, which focused on the current challenges and opportunities for housing policy in Ljubljana. Participants included Saso Rink, Director of the Public Housing Fund of the City of Ljubljana, Katarina Konda, Head of the Urban Planning Department of the City of Ljubljana, Anja Planisek from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Ljubljana, and Viennese experts Christian Schantl and Julia Peterbauer.