Austrian Report on Building Culture

Austrian Report on Building Culture The Austrian Report on Building Culture identifies Austrian specifics in connection with building structures that are under construction or in operation. It is commissioned as an instrument of policy advice on the part of the Chancellor and asks for target scenarios based on an analysis of the status quo. Mostly, national and international property-related case studies are carried out in order to provide concrete evidence that can be catalytic in terms of achieving the target scenarios. According to the revealed expertise the main topics of sustainability, citizen participation and awareness will be awarded to different key personnel. The Department for Building and Environment deals with the main topic of sustainability of built structures. Specifically, two issues are focused: The conflict of aims between thermal refurbishment measures, especially the façade thermal insulation, and the preservation of architectural heritage against the background of the obligation to reduce CO2equ-emissions. The proportionality of construction and subsequent costs of a property in terms of life cycle costs. The relevance of planning decisions for the economic affordability of a property is shown as an example, using the simulation software LEKOS that was developed at the Department. The report is complemented by the presentation of systemic connections of the sustainability dimensions of ecology, economy and socio-culture based on current Austrian trends of development related to the structural use of the environment such as the loss of biodiversity, the misconduct of emission reduction targets, the emerging of structural segregation zones or the change of life income-related expenses for living.