Too many vacancies

High vacancy rates:

Hannes Lindner cites Weiz (pictured: Cineplexx) as a positive example for the development of the city center.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Sepp Pail, Standort + Markt)

The picture of many city centers is bleak: low footfall, many vacancies. Most shopping takes place in the greenfield centers. This trend can hardly be reversed. Nevertheless, city centers do not have to die, says expert Hannes Lindner. But: "It will be a bloody road."

It was a strong signal on a cold Thursday morning: dozens of entrepreneurs from Graz city center demonstrated for better accessibility to the historic city center, especially by car. The transport policy of the current city government regularly drives traders to the barricades. The recent announcement that Café Sacher in Herrengasse is to close is giving the protest further impetus.