THE CITY OF TOMORROW – A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, INNOVATIVE, PRODUCTIVE AND SOCIALLY JUST

AN INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA NOVAK WITH BARBARA TÓTH AND ANNA THALHAMMER

Vienna is one of the most liveable cities – this is by no means a given, and it does not make the challenges any easier: the transformation of the economy and the world of work, digitalisation, climate change, the management of energy and water resources, and demographic shifts resulting from global crises and changes are presenting Vienna and cities worldwide with new and more complex challenges. New technologies (keyword: Smart City) and innovative concepts have contributed to Vienna’s impressive urban development – as has a consistent policy of social responsibility. What decisions must be taken today to ensure that Vienna remains a great place to live, economically successful and socially just in the future?

Major cities such as Vienna are also faced with a key question: what does security mean in the 21st century? Security is not solely about military defence capabilities; a functioning critical infrastructure, reliable public services and trust in institutions are also core elements of security. In the face of geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts in Europe’s neighbourhood, this is one of the central issues in urban development. However, the fact that Vienna has positioned itself since the 1970s as a centre for international dialogue and mediation, and as the host city for international organisations, also contributes to security. The current global situation makes a neutral, professional venue such as Vienna all the more essential for mediation in international conflicts. 

Like other major cities and regions, Vienna faces the challenge of having to cope with increasingly limited financial resources. Austerity measures and necessary reforms raise the question of how the city can maintain its capacity to act whilst investing in its future.

And finally: urban policy is always also district and neighbourhood policy, because that is where people first experience whether their city is working. Barbara Novak was born in Vienna’s 19th district and grew up in the Karl-Marx-Hof; she still lives in Döbling today, where she serves as the SPÖ district chair. What does social democratic politics mean in a diverse district that is not one of the SPÖ’s traditional strongholds? And what lessons can be drawn from this for the democratic and social development of the city as a whole?

We would like to discuss these and other issues with Barbara Novak, who has been Executive Councillor for Finance, Economic Affairs, Employment and Digital Affairs in Mayor Dr Michael Ludwig’s team since 2025, and who has served as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Governor since 2026.

Moderation
Barbara Tóth, born in 1974, is a historian, author and journalist: she has been writing for the FALTER, where she also heads the media department. 
Anna Thalhammer, born in 1985, has been editor-in-chief of the magazine since 2023 profile and editor since 2025.