Up First from NPR Two Problems, One Affordable Green Solution
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Jun 15, 2025 
Julia Simon, NPR's Climate Solutions correspondent, explores Vienna's innovative green social housing model that addresses both the housing crisis and climate change. She discusses impressive features like rooftop gardens and solar panels that make urban living eco-friendly. The conversation shifts to Chicago's efforts inspired by Vienna, focusing on new green housing initiatives aimed at affordability and sustainability. Simon emphasizes the importance of community resilience and collaborative efforts to develop climate-friendly housing solutions in the U.S.
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Tour of Vienna's Green Housing
- Julia Simon visited a modern, climate-friendly social housing apartment in Vienna.
- Sebastian Schublach, who lives there, showed amenities like a rooftop garden and sauna to highlight quality of life.
Vienna's Social Housing Scale
- About half of Vienna's residents live in social housing, either city-built or city-subsidized.
- This extensive social housing is central to Vienna's identity as a leader in social and green housing.
Green Features in Vienna Housing
- Vienna mandates solar panels and energy-efficient tech in new city-built social housing.
- Retrofitting old buildings also boosts energy efficiency, aiding climate pollution reduction.