Austrian Spatial Development Concept ÖREK 2011

This Policy,the Austrian Spatial Development Concept (ÖREK) is a strategic steering instrument for overall spatial planning and development at the national and Länder level as well as for cities and municipalities. An economic spatial development strategy should pursue the following general objectives: -substantially support structural change and promote the competitiveness of the country and its regions; -contribute to the specific and spatially harmonised expansion of regional location qualities (especially accessibility) and secure this sustainably; -reduce the effects of national borders and strengthen cross-border economic relations; -promote research and development, strengthen the innovation capacity of the regions and improve the qualifications of inhabitants.
In order to be able to ensure sustainability in energy consumption and climate protection policy, the following should be done: -realise sustainable settlement and traffic development in order to limit the further sealing of surfaces and ensure resource efficiency; -reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to fight the cause of climate change (mitigation), lower energy consumption and work to achieve a shift from nonrenewable energy sources to renewable resources in the spatial context; -deploy spatial planning measures to help deal with the consequences of climate change (adaptation) and limit the threat to settlements and society (climate change adaptation; -balance the possible negative effects of resource scarcity or higher costs on economic growth and socioeconomic prosperity by greater resource efficiency; -implement the corresponding research and development activities.