Starting Point / Motivation

Increasing urbanization and demographic change pose major challenges for cities and rural areas. Especially in rural regions, there is a growing need for sustainable, climate-friendly, and socially inclusive living and housing forms. At the same time, it is necessary to conserve resources, minimize land consumption, and reduce environmental impacts. The interaction between urban and rural spaces offers opportunities for sustainable development that connects social, ecological, and economic aspects and effectively utilizes regional potentials.

Contents and Goals

The project aims to develop a climate-neutral and resource-conserving neighborhood with mixed-use forms that meet the needs of different population groups. It relies on the use of ecological and regionally available building materials such as wood, clay, or straw, combined with innovative energy supply solutions, such as energy communities.

Furthermore, sustainable mobility concepts are integrated to reduce motorized individual traffic and offer attractive alternatives. Through participatory planning processes, residents, owners, and relevant stakeholders are involved early to ensure high acceptance and social integration. Additionally, future-proof housing models, such as intergenerational or assisted living, as well as various rental models, are developed to promote social diversity and create new qualities of life.

Methods

• Analysis of local conditions and needs
• Planning examination of existing buildings and properties
• Development and evaluation of usage concepts and construction methods considering ecological criteria (e.g., CO₂ balance)
• Co-creative participation processes with residents, owners, and experts (e.g., co-creation workshops, preparation of an urban sounding board)
• Integration of mobility and energy supply solutions in close coordination
• Planning presentation of the integrated overall concept
• Creation of a practical criteria catalog for transferability to other communities

Expected Results

Concepts and planning documents for the climate-neutral and sustainable neighborhood demonstrate a significant reduction of CO₂ emissions, approximately up to 95% in construction and 60% in operation. Through diverse and inclusive housing forms, the quality of life of residents is improved while simultaneously strengthening local economic cycles and regional competencies.

The project provides a transferable model for sustainable neighborhood development in rural regions, contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the areas of climate protection, sustainable infrastructure, and social participation. Furthermore, networking between urban and rural areas is promoted to ensure balanced and sustainable regional development in the long term.

Project Management

Arch.in Mag.a Jutta Wörtl-Gössler, RfM_Räume für Menschen Architektur

Project and Cooperation Partners

• Arch.in Mag.a Uli Machold, RfM_Räume für Menschen Architektur
• GEA - Graz Energy Agency
• IBO - Austrian Institute for Building and Ecology
• wohnbund:consult - Office for Urban and Spatial Development
• Enlion Energy
• Parish Unterretzbach, represented by Werner Pölz
• Municipality Retzbach, represented by Mayor Roland Toifl and Head of Office Judith Toifl

RfM_Räume für Menschen Architektur
Arch.in Mag.a Jutta Wörtl-Gössler
Wolfganggasse 12/Werkstatt
A-1120 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (680) 122 60 81
E-mail: office@rfm-architektur.at
Web: https://rfm-architektur.at/