Another milestone has been reached in the Urban Living Lab by completing the experimental phase with academic collaboration of several university partner groups (TU Wien, University of Applied Science).
Around 70 dedicated students from the Vienna University of Technology and the University of Applied Arts Vienna have been working intensively on their projects over the past few months. With fresh ideas, a critical eye, and a great deal of creativity, the “Circular Natives” have shown how they envision circular planning and construction, or a circular city. From reusing old building materials to innovative building designs and new sharing ideas for urban spaces, these projects demonstrate the possibilities of the circular economy.
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the academic works were presented in a dynamic, interactive exhibition format—together with a diverse group of stakeholders from administration, planning, construction practice, and research.
The following university project groups and their students participated in the research phase of the Urban Living Lab:
- Rehearsals of Sharing & Stroll & Play – Social Design Studio | die Angewandte: How can we strengthen the willingness to share and use? Using participatory methods, students make people’s needs and ideas visible.
- Retrofit Gemeindebau Quartier 3 – Institute for urbanism & landscape | TU Wien: How to transform the existing housing stock of the post modern aera? Strategies for the circular transformation of municipal buildings from the 1950s – with a focus on openness, multiple use, and community.
- Wandelbares Haus & NWB.16 R – Institute of Building Construction & Design | TU Vienna: How can cycles be closed and flexibility in use be ensured? Research into urban mining and the reusability of materials, as well as the transformability of architecture for a resource-efficient future.
Save the Date: 8. October 2025
With the completion of the focus group work and the end of the experimental phase, the findings gained in the project are now the focus of our work. These will be presented and discussed on October 8, 2025, as part of the closing event of the Urban Living Lab. We look forward to the exchange!
Project information:
The “Urban Living Lab Zirkuläres Bauen Wien” project is part of the “DoTank Circular City Vienna 2020-2030” program and is financially supported by funds from the City of Vienna’s internal innovation management, administered by the Department of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Statistics (MA23).
MIA GmbH was commissioned by the City of Vienna (Magistrate’s Office – Buildings and Technology Division) to design, develop the methodology and content, and implement the Urban Living Lab.
For further information: https://viecycle.wien.gv.at
