What’s so exciting about community building? A visit to the Rennbahnweg in Vienna often shows that people do not talk to each other enough. A new format for conflict management should also change that. Vice Mayor Kathrin Gaál does not believe that there is more fighting than before.
Every time at 11 p.m. the new tenant would jump loudly on the floor above her to terrorize her, an older tenant of a municipal housing recently complained to Vincent Wohinz, who organizes the dialogue format ‘Respect together, safe’ (see below) for the housing partners . He asked the tenant. It turned out that he goes to bed at 11pm every day and his folding bed was sufficient for him. Now he’s paying attention.
Assumed intentions that are not there
For Wohinz, this is a typical community-building conflict: it’s often about intentions that don’t actually exist – and solutions once people talk to each other. Wohinz estimates that 70 percent of conflicts can be resolved permanently in this way. His colleague Burak Büyük calls these ‘learning conflicts’. He has often had tenants on the floor below listen to what the back of their chair sounds like. “If only everyone would immediately buy felt gliders,” he sighs.
“Three thumbs up” for patience during the pandemic
The two mention that the commotion has been the same for years: mess, arguments between individual parties and arguments about the use of common areas, but in almost all other cases there is noise. Especially there, it often concerns suspected motives behind it. Wohinz gives the example of the few noise complaints during the Corona period, even though everyone was home at the same time: “I say: three thumbs up, the walls are quite thin.”
From the perspective of the tenant council, two things are necessary for peace in community housing: respect – ‘Without respect you are in the wrong place in community housing’ – and dialogue: ‘If I insult the boys in the courtyard, of course I will do so. get a stupid answer. If I say, ‘Come on, can’t we be a little quieter?’, it almost always works.” In general, the rule is: “If you don’t talk, there is no conflict. Conflict is when you talk yourself out of it.”
New dialogue format goes into series production
The new format ‘Together respect, safe’ is also intended to promote dialogue – joint action days of police, housing partners and Vienna Housing in municipal buildings. It should have started before the corona pandemic. Now that crowds are no longer a problem, the time has come. A series of seven dates in the autumn, in addition to the Rennbahnweg also in the Karl-Marx-Hof and at the Schöpfwerk, served as a test balloon for the city hall. Those involved indicated that the response was good.
Therefore, the format must now become a permanent part of the repertoire for conflict resolution in community building. However, conflicts are only resolved on the spot during the action days if “danger threatens”. Especially when there are problems among tenants, quick solutions often make things worse, the housing partners say. During the action days, tenants must have the right person to talk to about their concerns, so that a solution can be found ‘prepared and calmly’.
“Noise is still our biggest problem”
According to housing councilor Kathrin Gaál, Wiener Wohnen wants to use the action days to “set an example and demand the rules of the cooperation game”. For her, it is not just about peace in community building, but about promoting the idea of ’respectful coexistence’, because that is ‘the key to living together in a democracy’. In an interview with the ‘Krone’ she emphasizes that she continues to believe in cohesion in community building.
Crown: Are new formats needed for dispute resolution in municipal construction because there are more conflicts?
Kathrin Gaal: No, not at all. We want to join forces so that residents do not feel that their concerns are being passed around in circles by Vienna Housing, housing partners and the police.
Ethno-cultural differences play the leading role in conflicts today
You would think, but that is not the case. There will certainly be one or two cases, but “children playing loudly in the garden” and noise are still our main topic, and lately there has been an increase in litter.
Are caretakers missing as a commissioning authority?
I can still remember many people complaining about their caregivers. But we responded by mainly switching to individual care. Everyone has their own staircase. And to deal with conflicts, we founded the Wohnpartner. I think we’ve achieved a pretty good balance there. In this way we also create respect in our dealings with each other.
Is the city as a landlord too benign with black sheep?
I think benign is the wrong word. Wiener Wohnen takes its responsibility as a social real estate manager. We won’t be fooled forever, but we also have a job to do.
Do you sometimes think tenants are ungrateful?
I don’t expect thanks, I’m fulfilling a task. We also receive a lot of positive feedback. I believe there is still a special feeling in community building. Those who complain are often louder than those who are happy.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
