How a European Capital Moved Toward Sustainable Transportation

How did Vienna, Austria, substantially reduce car trips while increasing bicycling and trips taken by public transportation over 25 years? A new paper published in the International Journal of Sustainable Transportation provides answers.

2 minute read

January 16, 2017, 8:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Vienna U-Bahn

Martyn Jandula / Shutterstock

"Vienna's Path to Sustainable Transport" examines the politics of implementing sustainable transport policies in Vienna over a 25-year period from 1993 to 2014, leading to a reduction in the car mode share of daily trips from 40 percent to 27 percent while doubling cycling mode share and increasing transit mode share from 29 percent to 39 percent. 

"The key to Vienna’s success has been a coordinated package of mutually reinforcing transport and land-use policies that have made car use slower, less convenient, and more costly, while improving conditions for walking, cycling, and public transport," notes the abstract. 

Two strategies in particular deserve credit, according to researchers Ralph Buehler, professor of Urban Affairs, Virginia Tech; John Pucher, professor emeritus of Urban Planning, Rutgers University, and Alan Altshuler, professor emeritus of Urban Policy and Planning, the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University:

  • Expansion of the U-Bahn or metro, a young system opening in 1978, two years after D.C.'s now-troubled Metro.
  • Parking management

On a political level, the abstract notes two additional factors:

  • "The continuity of social democratic governments in Vienna since 1945 has provided a crucial political basis for long-term implementation. 
  • "The Greens have vigorously pushed for accelerating implementation of sustainable transport policies since becoming part of the ruling coalition government in 2010."

Vienna, as well as other Western European cities, have made great progress in moving toward sustainable transportation patterns. This paper provides lessons for other cities to reduce auto-dependence.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 in International Journal of Sustainable Transportation

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.