Mission

The vision of our city

Leoben is appreciated as a livable and lovable city; as a green centre of knowledge in the heart of Austria. Tradition coupled with innovation make Leoben a great place for living and working. It’s a city of education and research, where all age groups can feel at home. And with its extensive range of leisure and cultural activities within an environment of economic and ecological stability, Leoben is well positioned as the capital of Upper Styria.

The four strategic mainstays

Living, housing and leisure in Leoben

Living

Leoben offers a range of appealing recreational areas, beautiful natural environments and green spaces. A special focus has been given to developing the area along the river Mur as a local recreational space for the people of Leoben. Care has been taken to preserve natural resources and biodiversity. Green areas in the city, such as parks and playgrounds, provide urban space for leisure activities and fun. The well-developed network of cycle paths extends out into neighbouring communities.

Housing

The city attaches great importance to the attractive and sustainable design of residential areas, combined with the creation of high-quality but affordable housing for everyone in Leoben. The gradual expansion of local public transport ensures safe and convenient connections to the conurbations of Graz, Vienna, Linz and Salzburg.

Leisure

Facilities such as the Municipal Theatre, the KulturQuartier and the Live Congress conference centre demonstrate Leoben’s position as the cultural centre of the region. A diverse programme at the KulturQuartier includes everything from readings to contemporary art exhibitions, while concerts and theatre performances are staged at the Live Congress and the Municipal Theatre. Leoben also offers a number of modern sport and leisure facilities for a wide range of sports. And with its delightful shops and restaurants, the lively city centre is a lovely place to stroll, linger and shop.

A healthy, social, people-centred city

Social

We promote social equality and inclusion and support people in difficult life situations. Targeted measures are taken to prevent situations of vulnerability that can lead to poverty. We are dedicated to equal opportunities and support initiatives working in this direction. We also provide social services for all of the different groups of people living in our city – women, men, families, young people and senior citizens.

People-centred

The participation of our citizens in various projects for the common good is important to us. We provide up-to-date, relevant and reliable information through all of our municipal channels. At our community centres, we promote a sense of community and invite people to participate in a variety of activities and initiatives.

Health

We promote a healthy lifestyle through a diverse range of pathways. The farmers’ market in Leoben offers access to regional and fresh food while supporting agriculture. Healthcare is a major concern for us, which is why we encourage the establishment of health centres and service providers in this sector.

We provide stimulus for the economy, education and digitalisation

Economy

Leoben is the home and seat of numerous groups and companies that operate internationally. A priority for us is close cooperation and support within the scope of our capabilities. The joint effort to preserve jobs represents an essential aspect in this. The establishment of new companies and the creation of new jobs are also part of the city’s services. Our “LE Kompass” relocation management service makes it easier for skilled workers to settle in Leoben.

Education

Leoben offers a broad and high-quality range of educational institutions. As the authority responsible for schools, Leoben provides the necessary infrastructure. Modern educational centres provide the training for highly qualified workers in a variety of fields. With its globally unique expertise, the renowned University of Leoben and many associated research centres make Leoben an internationally recognised centre of education and knowledge.

Digitalisation

We are promoting broadband expansion throughout the urban area, ensuring that Leoben is fit for the challenges of a digitalised world. The digital services of the Municipality cover all areas and departments; they offer outstanding user orientation and corresponding added value to the people of Leoben.

Climate, infrastructure and the environment

Climate

As far as key issues such as sustainability and climate protection are concerned, Leoben takes on the responsibility of enabling measures and initiatives within our means. An example is the promotion of renewable energy. We are a KLAR! region. KLAR! stands for “Klimawandelanpassungsmodellregion”, which means model region for climate change adaptation. We are also a KEM region (“Klimaenergiemodellregion”, a climate energy model region). As a KLAR! and KEM region, we deal with adjustment strategies, engage in climate protection and focus on energy supply that takes climate protection into account.

Environment

Sustainable waste and waste water management is one of our key concerns. This is why we work continuously on increasing our citizens’ awareness for sustainability and environmental protection. We also promote environmentally friendly mobility and are gradually expanding our cycle path network.

Infrastructure

Strategic urban planning is a crucial element for sound infrastructure and a livable city. We consider both the conservation and the optimum use of the existing infrastructure. The resource-saving handling of land is a top priority in urban planning.

Video statements on our mission

I really appreciate Leoben and its cultural venues – especially the Municipal Theatre, the oldest continuously operating theatre in Austria that still shines in all of its well-preserved splendour. The openness of the people here and their friendliness touch me; as does the wonderful nature in and around Leoben.

Nazanin Aghakhani

Conductor & composer

I would like to appeal to all the dedicated people working in the social sector – only when we all join forces can we achieve something. Social cohesion is essential, because only by helping each other can we look to the future with confidence!

Dr. Erika Augustin

Expert for intercultural projects

There are great start-ups in Leoben, fantastic small, medium and large enterprises that all have innovation inscribed in their DNA. Leoben offers excellent education and training opportunities with its Higher Secondary Technical School and Leoben University. These factors provide the perfect conditions for the “Logistiksommer” event.

Kajetan Bergles

Knapp AG

The municipal area of Leoben consists of 80% forested land; this is very important for the adjustment to climate change. To preserve the woodland and make it climate-fit, the City of Leoben cooperates with the surrounding communities to develop adjustment strategies.

Bernd Cresnar

Forest expert

Some 4,000 students from 90 countries enjoy the excellent education at MUL and bring life to the city. Leoben University is also the employer of around 1,300 people. The wide range of leisure and cultural activities and the beautiful surroundings of Leoben guarantee that both students and our employees feel at home in the city.

Dr. Wilfried Eichlseder

Forner rector of Montanuniversität Leoben

“Greentec Steel” is our shared approach to a green future. voestalpine has set itself the goal of making steel production CO2-neutral by the year 2050. In Leoben we find the ideal conditions to achieve this.

Mag. Paul Felsberger

voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH

A citizen-centred approach is an important issue in modern and forward-looking administrations. With this in mind, Leoben Municipality has set up community centres in large residential areas in the past few years. These centres are points of contact for neighbours and organise a varied programme of activities.

Mag. Barbara Hammerl

StadtLABOR Graz

With its plan to establish a primary care centre, Leoben plays a pioneering role in the healthcare provision in the region. This is an important contribution to ensuring comprehensive and state-of-the-art medical care for the citizens.

Josef Harb

Chairman of the regional office of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund

We set ourselves very high standards in order to provide our citizens with a clean and livable environment.

Ing. Christian Huber

Head of the Public Works Unit

Leoben is a city of football! We look forward to working with Leoben Municipality on our way to our Mission 28. In order to live up to the mission, we also need the city.

Carsten Jancker

Trainer DSV Leoben

We particularly appreciate the Municipality’s forward-looking approach to urban planning, which ensures both the availability and the affordability of building land.

Ing. Bernd Kohlbacher

Kohlbacher GmbH

The whole world is facing the major challenges of environmental and climate protection. And we also have to act regionally and locally here in Leoben. I think it is great that Leoben has committed itself to protecting our environment and the climate in its strategy for the future.

Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Roland Pomberger

Montanuniversität Leoben

GO TO VIDEOS (in German)

17 goals for sustainable development

The projects and initiatives described on the following pages are examples of the approach that the City of Leoben is taking to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the benefit of the population.

Cover of the mission folder of the City of Leoben; Picture: BüKo

Download mission folder (in German)

You can download the folder on the current mission statement of the City of Leoben here in pdf format:

Leitbild (pdf, 1.68 MB)

Any questions?

Alexandra Janze

Abteilung Soziales und Gesellschaft: Leiterin der Abteilung

+43 3842 4062-375 organisationsentwicklung@leoben.at

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