Graz

1. Cultural Capital: Graz was designated as a UNESCO City of Design in 2011, recognizing its unique contributions to design and creativity, which may not be widely known even among locals. The city hosts various design-related events and festivals that celebrate innovation and artistic expression. 2. Underground Secrets: Beneath the city, Graz has an extensive network of underground tunnels and cellars that date back to the medieval period. Some of these tunnels were used for storage and as escape routes during times of conflict, but they remain largely unexplored by the general public. 3. Green City Initiatives: Graz is one of the greenest cities in Austria, with numerous parks and green spaces, but it also has a surprising number of urban gardens and community farming initiatives that encourage local food production and sustainability. These efforts contribute to the city's commitment to environmental consciousness and community engagement.

Graz, Austria's second-largest city, has a population of 306,068 as of January 2025. The city's housing market is experiencing growth, particularly driven by young professionals attracted to its expanding job opportunities in sectors like mobility, biotech, and green tech. The total housing stock in Graz is approximately 153,000 units. While specific figures for renting versus owning are not available, Austria generally has a high proportion of renters, with about 42% of households owning their homes nationwide. As of 2025, the median price to rent an apartment in Graz is around 13 euros per square meter, while the median price to buy is approximately 4,200 euros per square meter. These figures may vary depending on the specific neighborhood and property type. Public, social, and cooperative housing play a significant role in Graz's housing market. In Austria, about 24% of households live in homes managed by limited-profit housing associations (LPHAs). These organizations provide housing on a cost-recovery basis, offering rents about 25% cheaper than the private sector. The city is actively developing new housing projects, such as the Reininghausgründe area, which aims to add 5,200 units by 2025. This development includes a mix of housing types and emphasizes sustainability and accessibility, reflecting Graz's commitment to balanced urban growth.

The city administration of Graz recognizes affordable housing as a critical issue and has implemented several initiatives to address it. The city aims to provide housing that is accessible, non-discriminatory, and affordable for all citizens. Graz has the right to allocate 11,200 community housing spaces with lower rents to economically disadvantaged citizens. The city has not increased rents for community housing since 2019. Additionally, Graz offers financial aids for citizens who struggle with housing costs, though some groups like asylum seekers are still excluded from certain assistance programs. To create more affordable and sustainable housing, Graz has introduced: 1. Mobility Contracts: These encourage developers to provide sustainable mobility options in new developments, resulting in lower construction costs and more affordable housing. 2. Smart City projects: Initiatives like Smart City Project Graz Mitte and ECR Energy City Graz Reininghaus aim to create energy-efficient, resource-conserving residential areas. 3. Housing First approach: This program aims to provide appropriate housing for people in precarious living situations. 4. Photovoltaic offensive: Large-scale photovoltaic plants are being built to generate renewable local energy, reducing costs and environmental impact. 5. Climate action plan: The city has developed a detailed plan with 400 measures to become climate-neutral, many of which relate to housing sustainability. These efforts demonstrate Graz's commitment to creating more affordable and sustainable housing options for its residents.

Housing cooperatives play a significant role in Graz, Austria's second-largest city. While specific data for Graz is limited, Austria as a whole has a strong tradition of cooperative housing, with approximately 20% of the total housing stock managed by Limited-Profit Housing Associations, which include housing cooperatives. Graz has been actively promoting sustainable and innovative housing solutions. The city is known for its "Smart City" initiative, which focuses on energy-efficient, resource-saving, and low-emission urban development. This aligns well with the principles of cooperative housing. The city supports cooperative housing through various policies and programs. These include providing land for development, offering financial incentives, and streamlining approval processes for cooperative housing projects. Graz also encourages participatory planning processes, which are often a key feature of housing cooperatives. One notable project in Graz is the Reininghausgründe development. While not exclusively a cooperative project, it embodies many cooperative principles. The plan aims to create 5,200 housing units by 2025, with a mix of housing types and a focus on sustainability and community spaces. Another significant development is Habyt's new building in the Lend neighborhood, which, while not a traditional cooperative, offers a modern take on community living with shared spaces and flexible housing options. These projects demonstrate Graz's commitment to innovative, community-oriented housing solutions, which align closely with cooperative housing principles.