The project is no longer happening
Of course, the plan in question isn’t about the slimmed-down version the customer wants Michael Dojner (Wertinvest) recently committed to UNESCO (building heights of 48 and 44 meters), but the RRP is about a variant with building heights of 56.5 and 47.85 meters. But the construction process for the original, larger tower project dates back to 2017 With a height of 66 meters Next to the Hotel Intercontinental was recently still under development.
Although both of these plans are not now in place – at least according to public promises – and would in no way endanger the status of Vienna’s historic center as a World Cultural Heritage Site, the state government has given the green light. The main reason is that they… Neos As a junior partner Resistance was dropped want
“I had a different opinion at first”
Nios was deputy mayor last August Christoph Wiederker State Parliament declared that there was no clear permission for EIA exemption, including blockade, unless the project was UNESCO-compliant – now that doesn’t apply, said a Lilac Urban Development spokesperson. Selma Arabovic Announced: “There is a joint decision of the state government, which has been agreed with the SPÖ. The decision will be taken in the next few days.”
The pink shift of the heart is certainly not justified in terms of content, but rather in formal legal terms – based on recent findings Federal Administrative Court. The need to recognize that UNESCO’s decisions are not binding on the Austrian administration, Arabovic says; At the same time, the report of MA 22 would have shown that the Heumarkt project did not significantly affect the World Cultural Heritage. “Yes, we had a different opinion at first, but we live in a constitutional state. We will comply with it,” explains the Neos politician, and expects the matter to be decided on the content through the objections of civil society.
Is the ECJ judgment overruled?
A major trump card for project opponents was designated by UNESCO Cultural heritage impact assessment (Heritage Impact Assessment) by World Heritage Expert Michael ClouseIt concludes in 143 pages that the construction project will have “major negative visual impacts” on the World Cultural Heritage site. In addition, there is an explosive realization European Court of Justice (ECJ) From May 2023, it can get EIA obligation as it is a project in World Heritage Core Zone.
Christian Schubach The “Alliance for Nature” fought for this decision – and now it can shake its head that it is openly rejected. “For me, the project is subject to EIA and the ECJ says so,” Schubach explains. Legal action Against the conclusion of MA22. These will then have a delaying effect on the construction process and end up back in Luxembourg – thus further hampering the Dojner project. He was disappointed about the political result, because Neos did not have to vote under any circumstances: “Unfortunately, they fell like the Greens did then,” Schubach criticizes. Arabovic sees it differently: “We did everything we could.”
Criticism of the opposition parties
There is also criticism of the state government from the opposition: “The current developments in the Haymark case are the result of a totally confused policy which has always been a common thread. Obviously the city government wants to say goodbye to the world cultural heritage,” said the VP Vienna project spokesperson. Elizabeth called out. and for FPÖ planning speakers Tony Mahtalik The current move will further “sell a UNESCO World Heritage site to a billionaire”.
