Austria Halts Eight Highway Projects to Fight Climate Change

Austria's Greens political party has achieved a rare political victory against automobile dependence.

1 minute read

December 13, 2021, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A aerial view of the Lobau floodplain, located to the north of Vienna, Austria and across the Danube River. Vienna is in the background.

The Lobau floodplain to the north of the Danube River and the city of Vienna. | RussieseO / Shutterstock

The Austrian government announced that they would halt eight controversial highway projects in the country, taking a dramatic step in the fight to reduce emissions and slow climate change.

An article by the Agence France-Presse detailing the decision has been picked up widely across the Internet, mostly focusing on the political coalition that achieved the political victory, led by the Greens, a junior coalition partner.

Among the projects halted by the announcement is a planned 8-kilometer highway tunnel under the Lobau national park intended to ease congestion east of Vienna.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in Agence France Presse

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

4 seconds ago - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

20 minutes ago - NBC Dallas

Converted garage to housing unit in London, UK.

Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan

The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.

2 hours ago - Fox 17