Progress needs space.

 

Economic dynamism arises where urban development, innovation and entrepreneurship are considered as a whole. Spaces are essential for collaboration, creativity and value creation.

Economic dynamism does not arise in a vacuum. lt thrives where businesses, talent, research and infrastructure come together and work together. Linz has a compact urban layout, good transport links to other regions and a strong industrial base. At the same time, analyses show that economically significant areas need to be developed more specifically and better linked with one another.

Venues such as the Tabakfabrik Linz, the Linz Institute of Technology (LIT) und das Open Innovation Center (OIC) at Johannes Kepler University, Tech Harbor or the DIGITAL MILE - a community comprising 110 tech companies - demonstrate the importance of physical proximity for successful collaboration. To enable future growth, it is important to systematically develop these existing locations whilst creating new ones at the same time. Hubs - as places where companies, start-ups, one-person companies, research institutions, talented individuals and investors come together - are becoming increasingly important, particularly in future-focused sectors. They create spaces in which innovation, cooperation and new value creation can flourish.

Linz at a glance:
Spatial strengths and areas for action

What works well?

  • Compact urban structure
  • Easy accessibility
  • Successful flagship projects (Tabakfabrik, DIGITAL MILE)
  • lndustrial base & culture of innovation
  • A high quality of life, affordable and close to local recreational areas

What we are working on:

  • Greater economic dynamism in neighbourhoods
  • Stronger integration of economic regions
  • More flexible workspaces & innovation spaces
  • Greater visibility for economic centres outside the city centre
  • Expansion of student accommodation

Why this is decisive for businesses, skilledworkers and investment

Spatial quality influences specific business decisions:

  • ➔ Location decisions - where should a business set up shop?
  • Retaining skilled staff - where can companies find workers and skilled staff?
  • Innovative capacity - where can established practices be combined with new ideas?
  • Start-up dynamics - where are new ventures emerging?
  • Attractiveness in an international comparison - where are the best and most affordable conditions for working and living?

Companies, start-ups, one-person companies and innovative organisations need flexible work-spaces and development areas, good accessibility, and places for exchange, collaboration and networking. Business hubs and innovation-driven neighbourhoods, in particular, create the physical conditions for this and thus become an important tool in modern location development. Business hubs are a key tool for economic development.

Our role

  • Motivator
  • Service partner
  • Enabler

Strategic measures for space management

Securing space, activating potential

Linz is a city of work and innovation. Space is a scarce resource. That is why we want to continue to identify, secure and develop areas that are relevant to economic development at an early stage.

  • A proactive land policy to safeguard business sites
  • lncorporating economic requirements into the local development plan - assessing and utilising the potential for rezoning and land decommitment to revitalise and enhance the quality of the area
  • Targeted land-use development for regeneration areas along public transport routes, e. g. along the regional light rail line linking the railway station Tabakfabrik - DIGITAL MILE - JKU
  • Revitalisation and transformation of existing buildings and regeneration areas (e.g. the transformation and repurposing of old office space)
  • Development of an economicallyoriented 'checklist for urban development projects' to ensure that economic functions are systematically taken into account right from the planning stage

Promoting mixed-use development and more concentrated development

Concepts such as 'New Work' and the 'city of short distances' are bringing work and home closer together. Our aim is to develop modern working and living environments:

  • lncreased mixed-use development in new and existing neighbourhoods
  • Integration of economic functions into infill development projects
  • Promoting co-living and innovative, affordable housing models for employees (e.g. in regeneration areas)

Strengthening and expanding business hubs

Hubs provide a fertile microcosm for exchange, networking, and cooperation. Our goal is to systematically expand the use of hubs as an instrument of economic policy:

  • Strengthening and further developing the Tabakfabrik as an internationally recognised flagship project
  • Continuation of measures to reduce barriers to entry for hubs, in particular rental subsidies for hub premises
  • Development of business hubs along key public transport routes (regional light rail, four-track expansion of the Westbahn line towards Ebelsberg)
  • Promote targeted collaboration with other national and international deep-tech hubs (e. g. Cambridge Innovation Centre)
  • Highlight business hubs as beacons of innovation in the city's external communications

Snapshot summary: Economic dynamism arises where spaces, networks and governance interact. Linz is weil placed to achieve this. Our task is to develop these elements so that they are fit for purpose and innovation, growth, and jobs are created and flourish in the Greater Linz area.

Disclaimer: English content translated with AI assistance.

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