How well is Vienna prepared for the next heat summer? This question was the focus of a special session of the Vienna City Council on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The Greens had requested the session and accused the city government of not doing enough to protect against extreme heat. The situation in schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and public transport was particularly discussed. In the end, the opposition motions were rejected. A motion for heat protection in public transport was referred to a committee.

The session began at 9 a.m. and ended at 12:06 p.m. Instead of the usual question time and current hour, the discussion focused solely on heat protection in the federal capital. Five topics were particularly in focus.

The dispute was particularly evident on the topic of schools and kindergartens. ÖVP councilor Harald Zierfuß criticized that at 173 out of 408 compulsory school locations in Vienna, there were no heat protection measures at all. This corresponds to about 42 percent of the mentioned locations.

The ÖVP therefore demanded effective measures at all schools and kindergartens. The Greens also see a great need for improvement. Councilor Felix Stadler pointed out that kindergartens are particularly affected because they remain open during the summer. Additionally, children cannot always move to cooler rooms.

The NEOS rejected the criticism that the city was inactive. Councilor Stefan Gara explained that cooling measures are currently being examined in 80 kindergartens and classes to determine which are sensible.

The FPÖ, on the other hand, advocated for comprehensive air conditioning of schools and kindergartens.

Result: The opposition motion for heat protection in schools and kindergartens did not receive a majority. A new comprehensive obligation was not decided in this session.

Another focus was the greening of the city. The Greens demanded that around 100,000 additional trees be planted in Vienna by 2030. The background is the demand for more shade in public spaces.

According to Green councilor Judith Pühringer, currently only about 15 percent of Vienna is shaded by trees. She stated a goal of 30 percent tree coverage. New trees should primarily be planted where streets are already being torn up or rebuilt.

SPÖ and NEOS, on the other hand, pointed to greening measures already implemented. SPÖ councilor Nina Abrahamczik mentioned around 4,500 newly planted street trees annually and a green space share of 52 percent.

The NEOS referred to the program „Out of the Asphalt“, under which, according to councilor Angelika Pipal-Leixner, nearly 7000 new tree locations have been created.

The parties were fundamentally in agreement that more shade and greenery are important. However, opinions differed significantly on the speed, scope, and previous implementation.

Result: The demand for 100,000 additional trees was not approved.

The so-called Cool Zones were another point of contention. These are publicly accessible, cooled spaces where people can find relief during extreme heat. The Greens criticized that some of these facilities were closed on weekends during the heatwave in the summer of 2026. Judith Pühringer therefore demanded longer opening hours and better access for particularly vulnerable people. Additionally, the Greens proposed opening Vienna’s outdoor pools for free during extreme heatwaves.

The ÖVP supported the criticism of the restricted opening hours of the Cool Zones. The SPÖ, on the other hand, referred to existing offers. According to Nina Abrahamczik, these include around 1800 public drinking fountains, the Cool Zones, and extended opening hours of Vienna’s pools. The city has also established a heat action plan and a heat task force that continuously reviews the measures.

Result: The requested additional opening hours and free pool entries were not approved in the special session.

Heat protection in healthcare facilities also occupied the city council. Green councilor Barbara Huemer reported from an on-site inspection at the Donaustadt Clinic on July 14, 2026. She measured a temperature of 33.4 degrees on one ward. Such conditions are problematic for patients and medical staff, criticized Huemer. The Greens therefore demanded more effective protective measures in hospitals, nursing homes, and mobile care.

The FPÖ also demanded a comprehensive air conditioning initiative. Councilor Michael Stumpf advocated for significantly increased use of air conditioning in schools, hospitals, and retirement homes. The governing parties, however, emphasized that long-term structural solutions are also necessary. NEOS councilor Stefan Gara referred, among other things, to heat pumps that can be used for both heating and cooling.

Result: A new comprehensive air conditioning initiative was not approved.

Public transportation was also part of the debate. The Greens demanded continuously air-conditioned public transport as well as better-shaded stops. Especially during longer heatwaves, passengers at unprotected stops and in overheated vehicles are exposed to high temperatures.

The governing parties referred to ongoing investments in public transport as well as greening and redesign projects in the street space. In the final vote, the proposal for heat protection in Vienna’s public transport did not receive immediate substantive approval. Instead, it was assigned to the Committee for Urban Development, Mobility, and Vienna Public Utilities.

Result: The proposal will thus continue to be processed. No new binding regulations for air conditioning or shading were decided in this session.

The debate made it clear that all factions fundamentally consider protection against extreme heat an important issue. However, there is disagreement about which measures should be prioritized, how quickly they can be implemented, and what the financing should look like.

While the Greens are calling for a binding heat protection plan with specific responsibilities, timelines, and budgets, the SPÖ and NEOS refer to existing programs and already implemented measures.

ÖVP and FPÖ also demand stronger protective measures, but they focus on different priorities.

No concrete new heat protection measures were decided in the special session. The opposition motions did not find a majority, and the proposal for heat protection in public transport was forwarded to the responsible committee.

This leaves the question of which additional measures Vienna will actually implement before the next summer still open for now.

(Red)

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