Nationwide potential site map using AI
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Austria has significant potential in industrial and commercial brownfield sites. These are previously used and infrastructure-equipped locations that are currently unused or not utilised in accordance with their site potential.
They represent a significant land reserve, as do already designated commercial sites, known as zoning reserves. Compared with new zoning designations, these areas can be made available more quickly because the rezoning process has already been completed.
The reuse of these areas can make a major contribution to reducing soil sealing and therefore play an important role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.
Using an AI model, areas that are highly likely to be unused or only partially used have now been identified nationwide for the first time. The analysis was based on geodata, aerial imagery, and satellite images. The identified areas are divided into previously used potential sites and undeveloped potential sites (developed and undeveloped areas).
The potential site map makes already developed and quickly usable locations visible. The map creates transparency, facilitates planning decisions, and helps to use existing resources efficiently and sustainably.
All industrially or commercially zoned areas of at least 1,000 square metre were recorded if they are neither used for agriculture nor covered by forest and were identified as potential sites by the AI model.
With this initiative, the Federal Ministry of Environment also supports the government objective of using land and soil sparingly and prioritising brownfield redevelopment over new land designation.