At the brownfield summit in Salzburg, Greenpeace warns of the devastating ecological consequences, as in some cities almost 20 percent of commercial and industrial land lies gaping empty!
About 11.2 hectares of fertile land is developed every day, much of which is used for new logistics centers and industrial estates. At the same time, many commercial and industrial buildings are abandoned, says Greenpeace boss Alexander Egit. The core point of the new requirement: that new construction may only be started if old buildings have been inspected in advance. The states should also introduce a regionally adjusted vacancy tax on properties that have not been used for a long time.
Soil protection expert Melanie Ebner: “Hectares of nature and agricultural areas are currently being constructed and sealed, while large industrial parks elsewhere are falling into disrepair.” It is an important step that there is an instrument for registering commercial vacancies throughout Austria at the brownfield top.
The current system is inefficient. If new buildings were always built instead of using existing structures, valuable space would be lost. The new construction also required a lot of construction resources. Vacant industrial buildings and business parks also affect the social fabric of entire communities, often contributing to downtown decline, migration and job losses.
Experts argue for vacancy tax
Although there is currently no systematic monitoring in Austria, individual studies by the trade association point to enormous dimensions: In smaller towns such as Bruck an der Mur or Horn, vacancy rates are sometimes 20 percent or more. Crystal clear solution presented by the environmental organization: the federal states will have to register vacancies in the future, says Egit.
The existing infrastructure must also be checked before each recommissioning and each new building. Conclusion of Greenpece, which Dr. Kurt Weinberger, director of hail insurance, agrees: the states should introduce a regionally adjusted vacancy tax for buildings that have been vacant for a long time.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
