Project Description
Annually, the Austrian construction and property industry is responsible for roughly 25 % of CO2 emissions, 40 % of waste generation and approximately 12 % of economic output. It is therefore imperative to establish the endowed professorship for Sustainable Real Estate Development by June 2023.
By integrating innovative governance structures based on the quadruple helix approach, sustainable finance and integral engineering, this chair contributes significantly to the sustainability transformation. Its transdisciplinary research and teaching approach promotes the training of specialists who will be able to utilize sustainable solutions in future practice. In addition, the endowed professorship promotes awareness of the role of the construction and real estate industry as a key player in tackling climate change.
Main Research Areas
Five companies endowed the Chair for Sustainable Real Estate Development:
- TPA Steuerberatung GmbH
- BUWOG Group GmbH
- LENIKUS Immobilien GmbH
- Erste Bank der österreichischen Sparkassen AG
- Raiffeisen Bank International AG
In feedback loops, the endowment holders articulate their individual research needs, which are integrated into the joint research strategy as effectively as possible by the endowed professor. The necessary trans-disciplinary approach is practiced from the very beginning of the professorship. This can already be seen in the composition of the endowing consortium, which brings together different perspectives and issues along the entire value chain.
As TPA, we are very proud to join four other well-known companies in sponsoring the Endowed Chair for Sustainable Real Estate Management at FHWien. It is important to us to support this Endowed Chair because it will train the next generation of professionals and leaders who will drive and accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable real estate industry. The Endowed Chair provides the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the current and future challenges of the real estate industry. As a leading tax advisory firm, we see it as our duty to contribute to the creation of sustainable, environmentally friendly and socially responsible real estate projects. This initiative reflects our values and promotes innovation that will have a positive long-term impact on society and the environment.
As CEO of ÖGNI, I strongly support the establishment of the Endowed Chair for Sustainable Real Estate Development at FHWien der WKW. The university of applied sciences is a committed member of our organization, and we particularly appreciate the contributions of FH-Prof. Deinhammer, who represents the ÖGNI in various European councils.
Sustainability in the real estate sector has already been an issue in recent years; it is crucial for the future. The endowed chair financed by our endowment consortium is a very important addition to the field of study.
It gives our students the opportunity to take a comprehensive scientific look at the topics of climate-neutral, resource-conserving real estate project development when writing their Master's theses. In addition, the endowed chair provides valuable first-hand research contributions that we can implement very well in our practical projects. This will enable our graduates to play a key role in shaping a more sustainable real estate sector in the future.
This strategic focus on sustainability characterizes our university of applied sciences as a whole. We train the specialists and managers of tomorrow to act in an ecologically, economically and socially responsible manner.
I support the establishment of the Endowed Chair with great conviction and I am pleased about the close collaboration in various committees. Sustainable development in the real estate sector is crucial to achieving our global climate goals and promoting a sustainable construction and real estate industry. This chair will not only advance scientific research in this field, but also train the next generation of professionals that are urgently needed to establish sustainable practices in the industry. I am convinced that this initiative will make a significant contribution to promoting sustainable development in Europe.
For BUWOG, sustainability is a central corporate goal and a natural part of our corporate culture. We are therefore very proud to be part of the donor consortium for the Endowed Chair for Sustainable Real Estate Management at FHWien der WKW. Research and science provide us with important impulses for the real estate industry, especially when it comes to the unavoidable aspects of sustainable, resource-saving and climate-neutral development and renovation of real estate.
Project Goals
Sustainability as a key topic in research and teaching
In the context within the mentioned design science approach, the results will be reflected and discussed in close cooperation with the endowing organizations involved. The findings will be published in specialist media, presented at relevant conferences and systematically integrated into teaching. This ensures wide-ranging dissemination and application of the findings.
