Uncovering the enigma of Burgenland's "concrete mystery"
In the heart of Burgenland, two large concrete structures - the Oberwart Shopping Center and the Ex-Zielpunkt Hornstein - have fallen into disuse. These once symbolic landmarks of modern shopping and urban development now stand as reminders of a bygone era.
The Oberwart Shopping Center, built in 1984, was a testament to the advancements of the time. However, today, its more than 2,000 m² parking lots are sparsely used, and almost all business spaces within the centre are now empty. The Ex-Zielpunkt Hornstein, despite its insolvency at the end of 2015, remains unused, with its generously sealed outdoor area going untouched.
Greenpeace has not overlooked these concrete giants. They describe the Kindergarten Stadtschlaining, another concrete structure in the region, as a "heat-trapping, lifeless place." The Kindergarten, built at the end of the 1960s in a style influenced by brutalism, covers an area of 1,200 m².
Greenpeace's "Austria's 9 Concrete Jungles" campaign aims to raise public awareness about urban green spaces and promote ecological improvements in Austrian cities and regions. The campaign includes a voting phase where citizens can participate online to select among nominated urban or regional sites. However, specific details about the final voting timeline, voting process, and the contenders in Burgenland during August 2021 are not available from the current search results.
Meanwhile, the Oberwart Shopping Center and the Ex-Zielpunkt Hornstein share a common characteristic: they are all large structures primarily made of concrete. Despite their vacancy, there is no mention of any plans for a revitalization project of either structure from Greenpeace.
On a brighter note, one of the contenders for the title "Burgenland's Concrete Treasure 2025" is EKO Oberwart, a location that has seen an increase in baby births in the region. The voting for the winners of each federal state runs until August 26.
As the campaign continues, it remains to be seen how these concrete structures will be integrated into Burgenland's future green spaces and how the community will vote to transform these "jungles" into vibrant, eco-friendly spaces.
Environmental science suggests that concrete structures, such as the Oberwart Shopping Center and the Ex-Zielpunkt Hornstein, often contribute to climate change due to their energy-intensive production and heat-trapping properties. The lifestyle of sustainable living encourages the re-purposing of these structures towards home-and-garden projects or other eco-friendly activities, like the Kindergarten Stadtschlaining which Greenpeace labeled as a "heat-trapping, lifeless place." As part of Austrian environmental movements like Greenpeace's "Austria's 9 Concrete Jungles" campaign, citizens can vote for sites like EKO Oberwart, promoting sustainable living and the transformation of concrete structures into green spaces, such as parks or community gardens.
