Event Review: “Lost Cities? Freedom-Oriented Responses to the Urban Crisis in Europe”

On the evening of October 1, a high-level panel discussion took place in the Wappensaal of Vienna City Hall, moderated by Member of Parliament Lisa Schuch-Gubik. The event was opened by Member of the Vienna Provincial Parliament Mag. Bernd Saurer and, under the title “Lost Cities? Freedom-Oriented Responses to the Urban Crisis in Europe”, addressed the pressing challenges that cities are currently facing.

The debate focused on the causes of the urban crisis and on potential strategies to make cities more livable again. The panel included:

• City Councilor and State Party Chairman Dominik Nepp (Vienna)

• Dr. Kristin Brinker, State Chairwoman of the AfD (Berlin)

• City Councilor Mag. Dr. Michael Raml (Linz)

• Prof. Mag. Bernhard Heinzlmaier

The discussion analyzed how factors such as urban sprawl, infrastructure deficiencies, excessive regulation, and social disparities affect the quality of urban life. Both conceptual ideas and practice-oriented measures were debated — including approaches to inner-city development, efficient urban planning, mobility transition, and the strengthening of municipal decision-making capacities.