Tulln embarked on its journey toward climate neutrality by 2040 with its “Climate-Manifesto” back in 2019. The town is an e5 municipality– part of Austria’s national programme for energy-efficient and climate-active communities – and has also anchored climate protection as a central topic in its Local Development Concept (ÖEK). The strategic objectives and necessary measures for the transformation process were laid out in its Climate Framework Strategy.
Deputy leader of the town’s Environment, Energy and Water Management Department Ingrid Scharf explains: “Important topics such as energy-related spatial planning and CO2 monitoring have already been incorporated into our development concept. We were able to use this as a base. The major topic areas were broken down, ongoing and planned projects were summarised and the necessary measures developed to allow us to achieve our climate targets.” The Pioneering city project provided important support in this regard.
“Lively exchanges take place with other towns and cities as part of the accompanying support process. We have seen lots of other good examples and have been able to take away some insights for our own process,” reports project manager Ingrid Scharf.
Driving the energy and mobility transformation forward
The town’s wholly-owned energy company, Tulln Energie GmbH, is actively committed to transforming the energy system. It supports, for example, the creation and operation of renewable energy communities such as the Tullnerfeld Energy Community and the Wagram Energy Community, in both of which the town holds a stake. The storage of renewable energy sources for the future is an important topic. Innovative solutions (such as a combination of a PV system and a storage system) are currently being examined for the municipal waterworks. Tulln is focusing on attractive and environmentally friendly services when it comes to mobility. These include the nextbike bicycle sharing system and the LISA Tulln project, an e-shuttle service with more than 50 stops in the town, which also connects to Tullnerfeld railway station.
Urban densification policy
“Careful use of the land is a very important aspect for us when it comes to urban development”, says Ingrid Scharf. “This is a policy that has already been laid down in the climate manifesto and the development concept, and which we are currently pursuing with various redensification building projects.” One successful project aimed at making the town centre more attractive included the redesign of Nibelungenplatz. The town’s residents were able to help shape plans for restoring permeability and greening of the central square, which has now become a popular meeting place and venue for events.
klimaneutralestadt.at/en/projects/pioneer-cities/tulln-2040.php