Neutal, Burgenland, Austria
Neutal has undergone an impressive transformation in recent decades. Originally known as a farming village, the municipality first developed into a commuter and artisan town and eventually into a modern technology and tourism community. This remarkable development is the result of visionary thinking, strategic planning, and intensive citizen participation under the guiding principle of “With the people, for the people“.
Neutal‘s strategically favorable location on the B50 federal highway has significantly contributed to its economic development. Since joining the EU and the subsequent EU enlargement to the east, Neutal has significantly increased the number of businesses and jobs, so that today the approximate 1,100 residents have more than 1,000 jobs available – a doubling since the beginning of the development process in 2001. In particular, the establishment of several service companies and facilities has not only positively impacted the economic situation but also played a key role in achieving the very high quality of life enjoyed by the residents today.
Neutal pursues a holistic development strategy based on the active involvement of citizens and the sustainable use of existing resources. Since 1996, the municipality has relied on continuous participation processes to develop targeted and needs-based solutions for the present and future. This participatory approach has enabled the municipality to successfully implement projects that are extremely sustainable both economically, ecologically, and socially.
Neutal has evolved into a model municipality that demonstrates how innovative village development and sustainable future strategies can be successfully implemented. It is also an outstanding example that transformational processes actively shaped by the community can indeed be highly successful. Through strategic actions and strong participation processes, the municipality has continuously improved the quality of life for its residents while maintaining its traditional identity despite ongoing modernization. Neutal can serve as a model for many communities in Europe, as it impressively proves that even small municipalities can achieve great things.
The flagship project “Lebensraum“ is a central part of village development in the municipality of Neutal and represents a successful symbiosis of preserving traditional village culture while meeting modern needs. The project was developed in several construction phases based on high-quality participatory processes and needs-assessments among the population. It also aligns with the “Neutal 2025 Future Strategy“, developed in 2017, which set ambitious goals, particularly in the areas of public services, local supply, and quality of life. The “Lebensraum“ project is integrative and has a positive impact on various areas of village and municipal development. Existing vacant properties in the center of Neutal were renovated, energetically upgraded to the highest standards, and transformed into a variety of spaces offering diverse services and amenities to the citizens.
For example, the “Lebensraum“ houses the hybrid village shop “Unser G’schäft“. The shop operates as a staffed supermarket during certain hours and is available as a self-service store outside of those hours, with access and payment handled via a bank card. This allows for cost-effective local supply, tailored to the needs of all generations and people in different life situations. The fact that the municipality itself is the majority owner as part of a public-private partnership made it possible to mitigate the price increases of recent years through targeted measures. Other elements of the “Lebensraum“ include a co-working space, a youth center that is also used for joint learning initiatives, a medical practice, and a volunteer-run community library with a reading lounge. A communications center with a conference hall and public restrooms was also implemented in the “Lebensraum“.
The integration of the center into a large green and open space, which promotes biodiversity through climate-resilient planting, also makes the project a model example of ecological village renewal. Short distances and integration into existing cycling and walking paths encourage emission-free transportation. Additionally, the installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof contributes to ecological sustainability and, together with an e-charging station and an e-cargo bike available to residents, supports the sustainable development of the municipality.
In 2020, a compact, well-thought-out, and carefully designed multi-purpose hall made of wood was built on the outskirts of Neutal between a tennis facility and an outdoor swimming pool, significantly enriching the recreational and cultural offerings. The sports and cultural hall was created based on a comprehensive participation process that began in 2017. During this participation process, the citizens of Neutal were able to express their requirements and wishes for the new community building and contribute ideas, which ultimately led to the development of a comprehensive usage concept.
The hall measures 37 meters in length and 18 meters in width. It houses a playing field that meets the standard dimensions of a gymnasium and is versatile. The multipurpose space is suitable not only for sports activities but also for conferences, congresses, concerts, and theater performances. At the front of the hall, a stage can be integrated into the room through a simple conversion, allowing the space to be optimally used for larger events. For smaller events, a mobile partition curtain can be used to create a more intimate and cozy atmosphere of variable size.
The hall was constructed almost entirely using wood. Only the ground-level foundation and the annex built into the slope, which contains the buffet and sanitary facilities, are made of other materials. Cross-laminated timber was used for the interior walls, intermediate ceilings, and roof, giving the building a unique aesthetic and additional ecological quality. The sustainable construction method was recognized with the Timber Construction Award of the State of Burgenland in the category of “public and tourist buildings“, highlighting the building‘s quality and its status as a flagship project far beyond the municipality‘s borders.
The new sports and cultural hall is located about 1,5 kilometers from the municipal office and is closely connected to the nearby JUFA Hotel and other sports facilities. Due to its flexible use, modern technical equipment, and excellent acoustics, the hall has quickly become an important socio-cultural center in Neutal and the entire region. It serves not only as a venue for sports and cultural events but also as a central meeting place for the community, making a significant contributions to the social and cultural vitality of the municipality.
Evaluated: 2024
