Liesing: Report on our district exploration of Alterlaa

KPÖ LIESING| ALTERLAA

→DEUTSCHE VERSION

Our exploration starts on September 26, 2025, at Kaufpark Alterlaa – the shopping center belonging to the housing complex. There, we metWilhelm L. Anděl– a first resident of Alterlaa and long-time tenant representative – who guided us through the housing estate, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first occupancy next year. During the tour, participants received in-depth information about the history and design of the buildings, which were constructed in the 1970s under the leadership ofarchitect Harry Glück, following the concept of stacked single-family homes. Harry Glück’s likeable motto: “Everyone should live like the rich.”

Art in Alterlaa

The first stop of the tour was theentrance hall of staircases A1/A2, which were artistically designed by the communist painter and sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka. At staircase A1, Hrdlicka created a unique fresco – a tribute to the workers’ struggle for liberation. As we continued the tour, we learned that other staircases in Block A were also designed by artists associated with the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ), at the invitation of Harry Glück.

Shared Infrastructure

Reaching the rooftop on the 27th floor – nearly 100 meters above ground – we turned our attention to the striking terraced apartments, the generously designed green and communal areas, and the internal infrastructure of the estate. This includes shopping facilities, kindergartens, schools, sports facilities, and medical services. A central topic of discussion was the then-innovative concept of the “city within the city,” inspired by the Red Vienna superblocks. What makes Alterlaa particularly special are its diverse recreational offerings: saunas, pools, indoor swimming facilities – and, importantly, the vibrantnetwork of clubs and local associationsthat shape daily life.

Decarb Alterlaa

A key highlight of the tour was theupcoming shift toward renewable energy in Alterlaa. In recent years, many rooftops have been equipped with photovoltaic panels – the first step in this transition. With all doors and windows being replaced and a switch to geothermal heating planned for the coming years, Alterlaa is now the largest residential project in Europe to fully transition away from gas.

Democratic Control Instead of Privatization

Another key aspect discussed during the tour was the management model of Alterlaa – a topic often overlooked. Thanks to the efforts of the tenant advisory board, it was possible to prevent the outsourcing or privatization of staff. Today, around 50 employees work directly for the residents of Alterlaa and for the non-profithousing company AEAG(Alterlaa AG). All residents are shareholders in AEAG and are therefore co-owners of the complex. They hold 50% of the seats on the supervisory board alongside staff representatives; the other 50% are appointed by the municipal housing company GESIBA.

International Attention

Throughout the tour, participants gained a vivid impression of how the interaction between architecture and social housing continues to shape life in Alterlaa – and why it’s gaining international attention.

For example,Germany’s Die Linke party recently proposed rooftop pools on public housing buildings, inspired by Alterlaa.Adelegation from the U.S. Democratic Party toured the complexsome years ago, andZohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and mayoral candidate for New York City, frequently references the “Vienna Model”in his current campaign – as our guide Wilhelm L. Anděl pointed out.

Closing of the Tour

After about two and a half hours, the tour concluded with a brief group reflection. Overall, participants found the walk highly informative and insightful, offering a unique perspective on one of Vienna’s most iconic social housing projects. And this won’t be the last tour!

If you’re interested, KPÖ district councillor Rainer Hackauf, a resident of Alterlaa himself, is happy to be contacted at:[email protected]

Wir alle sind Liesing!

Daher treten wir ein für einen Bezirk, in dem sich alle frei und ohne Angst bewegen können, in dem alle Menschen eine leistbare Wohnung haben, in dem alle Menschen Zugang zu einer guten Sozial- und Gesundheitsversorgung haben, in dem es öffentliche Plätze und Grünraum mit hoher Aufenthaltsqualität für alle gibt, in dem Junge und Alte ein entsprechendes Angebot an Freizeit-, Bildungs- und Kultureinrichtungen vorfinden, in dem alle Menschen mitbestimmen können, in dem kein Mensch illegal ist.