Economy Of Linz
The third largest city in the country and capital of Upper Austria, Linz is a major economic center with a rich and varied past of commerce, industry and invention. From conventional sectors like metallurgy, paper and chemicals to modern sectors like logistics, e-commerce and research, Linz can boast a diverse and dynamic economy. Linz, a renowned conference city, attracts thousands of people every year to its numerous venues and events.
Linz’s strategic location on the Danube, which has been a main trade route for millennia, has directly shaped the history of its economy. Originally, Linz was primarily a market town and a business center, particularly for salt and textiles. Linz has also become known for its artistic and cultural events, including literature, theater and music. But during the Nazi era, when the city developed as a center of heavy industry and arms manufacturing, Linz’s economic scene underwent radical changes. Established in the eastern part of the city, the Hermann Göring factories, later renamed Voestalpine, as well as the nitrogen factories, later renamed Chemie Linz, generated thousands of jobs and attracted workers from all over Europe. Allied bombings, which targeted industrial installations in Linz, also caused significant damage. Rebuilding its economy and image after World War II as well as adapting to social and environmental problems resulting from its industrial past presented challenges for Linz.
Linz’s economy today stands out for its diversity and creativity. By retaining its industrial core, Linz has effectively transformed from a city of heavy industry to a city of modern services and technology. Among the largest and most powerful companies in Austria, Linz has Voestalpine, Chemie Linz, Haribo, Spitz and Amazon. Especially in the areas of steel, chemistry, biotechnology, mechatronics and software, Linz is also a leader in research and development. Leading institutions promoting cooperation between universities and businesses include the Tech cEnter Linz Winterhafen, the Linz Institute of Technology and the Johannes Kepler University Linz. Linz’s four Danube ports, international airport, rail system and motorway connections contribute to its economy. The city features a rich cultural and social scene as well as a green and healthy environment, which allows Linz’s economy to also contribute to its high quality of life.
Linz’s varied and dynamic market is one of the main characteristics of its economy. As well as the entertainment and festive atmosphere, Linz offers a range of markets offering fresh, locally produced produce. In addition, Linz has several streets and shopping centers that appeal to all tastes and inclinations. Another important part of Linz’s economy is its tourism industry, as it generates money and creates jobs. From four-star hotels to unrated businesses, Linz offers a variety of accommodation choices, and domestic and international visitors spend many nights here.
The Industrial Backbone of Linz
With almost 40% of the city’s gross value added coming from a robust industrial sector, Linz’s economy is one of the most unique. Among Austria’s largest and best-known industrial companies, the city has Voestalpine AG, a global leader in steel manufacturing and processing, and Chemie Linz, a former chemical conglomerate diversified into plastics, fertilizers , pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Originally referred to as “Führerstadt” or “City of the Führer,” Voestalpine and Chemie Linz trace their roots to the Nazi era, when Linz was strategically located for war-related businesses. Founded in 1938 as “Hermann-Göring-Werke”, a state-owned steel company using slave labor and exploitation of resources from captured areas, the former was founded in 1941 as a division of IG Farben, the famous chemical union responsible for Zyklon B gas used during the Holocaust.
Both companies were nationalized and rebuilt after the war, and they gradually developed into contemporary and creative companies making major contributions to science and technology. For example, Voestalpine is best known for creating the LD- (“Linz-Donawitz”) steelmaking technique, a revolutionary method using pure oxygen to reduce the carbon content of pig iron, thus producing a better quality and less carbon. expensive steel. Conversely, Chemie Linz participated in numerous joint studies and projects, notably on the first synthetic insulin developed in 1978 and the founding of the Johannes Kepler University of Linz in 1966.
Both companies have expanded internationally in their respective sectors, surpassing Linz and Austria and becoming global players. With more than 500 companies in more than 50 countries, Voestalpine employs approximately 49,000 people and projects a turnover of more than 12 billion euros in 2020. The main supplier of polyolefins and basic chemicals Borealis and the aluminum products producer AMAG were spun off from Chemie Linz as separate independents. entities.
The Logistic and Trade Hub of Linz
Thanks to its strategic location along the Danube, one of the most important rivers in Europe, Linz’s economy also depends crucially on its function as a logistics and trade hub. With one of the four Danube ports (Donauhäfen) in Austria, Linz handles around 4 million tonnes of cargo and 200,000 passengers annually. Among the many services and amenities offered by the port are cold storage, intermodal transport links, warehouses and container terminals.
Besides the link to the Black and North Seas, the port also serves as a portal to the markets of Central and Eastern Europe. As part of the TEN-T (trans-European transport network) corridor, which aims to improve the mobility and connectivity of the European Union through roads, railways, rivers and airports, Linz Linz is also connected to China’s New Silk Road project, which aims to resurrect historic trade routes linking Asia to Europe.
Linz’s logistical and commercial advantages, especially in the areas of e-commerce, distribution and retail, have attracted many companies and investors to the city. For example, the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, opened a fulfillment center in Linz in 2021, increasing its delivery network in Austria and generating almost 500 jobs. With 13 shopping centers and numerous boutiques and specialty stores, Linz is also a frequent destination for consumers. With an average of more than 230,000 passers-by each week, the main shopping street in the city center, Linzer Landstraße, is the busiest shopping street outside of Vienna.
The Congress and Culture Hub of Linz
Linz Congress and Culture Center
A third dimension of Linz’s economy is its position as a conference and cultural center, which reflects its growing reputation as a creative and innovative city. With around 7.4% of all congresses, conferences and seminars held in Austria, Linz is the third most important congress destination in the country after Vienna and Salzburg. From industrial sites and historic buildings to cultural institutions and modern hotels, Linz has more than sixty conference and event venues. Among the most notable venues are the Design Center, a multifunctional hall that can accommodate up to 3,000 people; the Ars Electronica Center, a museum and research center dedicated to art and digital media; and the Tabakfabrik, a former tobacco factory transformed into a creative and cultural place.
In addition, Linz created the original idea for organizing conferences: the Blue Meeting®. Local tourism agency Linz Tourismus developed this idea in order to improve the sustainability and quality of gatherings and activities. By applying ideas from green meetings, such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, climate-neutral travel and regional added value, the Blue Meeting® focuses on the particular needs and preferences of participants. The Austrian Congress Bureau and the Global Destination Sustainability Index have both recognized the Blue Meeting® as an example of best practice.
Linz’s active and diverse artistic and creative community adds to its conference and cultural scene; In 2014, the city was named a UNESCO City of Media Arts. From the Ars Electronica Festival, the world’s largest and most powerful celebration of digital art and culture, to the Linz Festival, a celebration of music, theater and dance, to the Klangwolke, a incredible outdoor multimedia event attracting hundreds of thousands of people. participants, Linz hosts several festivals and events throughout the year. Linz’s many cultural venues and attractions include the Lentos art museum, the Brucknerhaus concert hall, the national theater and the Pöstlingberg hill with a panoramic outlook over the city and the Danube.
Tourism In Linz
Linz, a popular tourist destination, attracts visitors from all over the world. In addition to a contemporary and creative sector, Linz has a rich cultural and historical heritage. From museums and galleries to celebrations and events, Linz has a lot to offer visitors.
The Ars Electronica Center, sometimes called the Museum of the Future, is one of Linz’s most popular attractions. Facing the junction of art, technology and society, the Ars Electronica Center is both a museum and a research center. The Ars Electronica Center offers laboratories, exhibits and workshops covering the latest advances in digital media, interactive art, robotics, biotechnology and other fields. Among the largest and most important celebrations of digital culture in the world, the annual Ars Electronica Festival is also organized by the Ars Electronica Center. Exhibitions, performances, seminars and awards recognizing the most beautiful and creative works of digital art and media abound at the Ars Electronica festival.
On a hill above the Danube and the city, Linz Castle is another attraction. Built in the 9th century, the architectural and historical site known as Linz Castle has been rebuilt and renovated several times over the ages. It currently houses Austria’s largest universal museum, the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum. The collections and exhibitions of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum cover the history, art, culture and landscape of Upper Austria as well as those beyond. In addition to a tower, courtyard and terrace offering panoramic views of the river and the city, Linz Castle features
Rising 539 meters above sea level, Pöstlingberg Hill on the north bank of the Danube adds yet another attraction to Linz. Offering a range of events and sights, Pöstlingberg is a popular spot with locals and visitors alike. The Pöstlingbergbahn, the steepest adhesion railway in Europe and one of the world’s first mountain railways, provides access to the Pöstlingberg. Stretching from the main square to the top of the hill, the Pöstlingbergbahn passes through tunnels and breathtaking scenery. Among the many attractions of Pöstlingberg is the pilgrimage church built in the 18th century with a baroque style and a golden dome. Besides the Pöstlingberg, there is the fairytale-themed Grottenbahn amusement park with a puppet theater, a dwarf village and an underdeveloped dragon train. In addition to a botanical garden, a zoo and an observation deck offering breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings, the Pöstlingberg also boasts.
As Linz’s tourism industry generates income and employment, it is of considerable importance to the local economy. From four-star hotels to unrated businesses, Linz offers a wide range of accommodation choices, and domestic and international visitors spend many nights here. With 2,302 of them in the ten four-star hotels, 1,226 in the nine three-star hotels, 472 in the seven two- and one-star hotels and 544 in the unclassified commercial establishments, Linz has 4,544 beds overall . There are no five-star hotels in Linz.
Linz recorded 647,482 overnight stays in 2004. 775,397 overnight stays occurred in 2013. With 1,012,470 overnight stays in 2018, a record for the city, among the overnight stays in 2018, 604,399 came from outside Austria and 408,074 from Austria. Germany (170,518) recorded the highest number of overnight stays among foreign visitors; followed by Italy (24,534); China, Hong Kong and Macau (23,256); Switzerland (20,821); and the United States (19,857).
Linz’s travel industry reflects the city’s appeal, diversity and inventiveness. For visitors who can savor the city’s industry, history and culture, Linz presents a singular and unforgettable experience. Combining modernism and history, art and technology with nature and urbanity, Linz is a city.
Shipping and Ports in Linz
Since Roman times, when it was a strategic outpost on the Danube, Linz has a long history of maritime and port activities. Handling millions of goods each year, Linz is still an important port city today. The city’s two main port facilities are the municipal port of Linz AG and the factory port of the large steel and technology company Voestalpine. Located near the city center, on the left bank of the Danube, the two ports
Linz AG, one of Austria’s four Danube ports, has the largest and most contemporary port in Upper Austria. It is made up of four sections: the commercial port, the tank port, the container port and the passenger port. The commercial port handles machinery, metal, wood, paper and general cargo. The tanker port handles liquid cargo including biofuels, chemicals and mineral oil. Intermodal containers, which can be moved to trucks or trains, are handled at the container port. Cruise ships and excursion boats, which offer scenic tours of the Danube, terminal at the passenger port.
Austria’s largest private port, Voestalpine Factory Port, is the main access point for the company’s raw materials and finished products. In addition to steel products such as slabs, coils and pipes, the port handles bulk cargo including iron ore, coal, coke, limestone and scrap metal. A conveyor belt system connects the port to the company’s integrated steel mills, delivering materials directly to production sites.
Situated on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which connects the Black Sea and the North Sea and constitutes a continuous waterway across Europe, the ports of Linz provide, in addition to the growth of tourism and culture, a link essential for the movement of people and products. . The benefits of the canal help the ports of Linz in terms of reduced transport expenses, reduced emissions and increased safety.
To meet growing demand and competitiveness, the ports of Linz have recently undergone several developments and expansions. A major overhaul project to increase the capacity and efficiency of the municipal port began in 2012. The project included using reclaimed land for warehouses and administrative buildings and filling in some of the unnecessary port basins. New cranes, docks and terminals have helped modernize and redesign the remaining part of the port. Calculated in 2018, the project increased the port’s annual handling capacity from 7.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes.
Another initiative launched in 2015 aimed to make the port area a cultural hotspot. The project included the construction of a new level above the commercial halls, up to 18 meters high, and the destruction of some of the unnecessary silos. Designed to host cultural events and exhibitions, including concerts, celebrations and art exhibitions, the new level was Along the harbor basin, the project also included the design of a public space including stairs, benches and vegetation. Completed in 2019, the project produced a new attraction for the city’s residents and tourists.
To cope with the growing container traffic in 2020, a second container crane was built in the commercial port. The new crane can lift up to 45 tonnes and handle up to 40 containers per hour. Since the new crane can load and unload containers from both sides of the river and from several types of ships, it has also improved the port’s connectivity.
Social and Security Services in Linz
Linz has a comprehensive social service network covering many areas of life, including:
- Senior care: Linz has 14 retirement homes with 2,070 care places, 3 day centers for the elderly with 110 care places, 144 serviced apartments and 19 senior clubs (known as Club Aktiv) offering leisure and training for the elderly.
- Child care: Linz has 85 kindergartens with 5,287 childcare places, 9 daycare centers with 212 childcare places, 90 childcare places, 39 after-school daycare centers with 3,409 childcare places and 13 youth centers who supervise, guide and entertain children and adolescents.
- Family support: Linz has ten parent-child centers, fifteen parent and mother counseling centers, a family center in the solar town of Pichling, a mother-child home with eight care places and a women’s shelter with fourteen care places offering counseling, an education and a family. support, particularly for families in need or at risk.
- Homelessness and poverty: Linz has 6 homeless shelters with 245 places, 1 SOMA social market (private), 5 social posts and 3 Compass social advice centers providing shelter, food, clothing, hygiene and social work to people living in poverty or homelessness.
- Integration and inclusion: Linz has 120 supported social clubs, 3 youth information and advice centers, 3 street work projects, 1 children’s and youth home with 24 places and a SISAL youth residential community with 8 sites that support integration and the inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. , capacities and needs.
Additionally, Linz has a top-notch security system that guarantees the well-being of its residents through:
- Healthcare: With seven hospitals, 170 experts, 37 pharmacies and two emergency departments offering medical treatment and care for a range of health problems and crises, Linz delivers. Comprising four campuses: Med Campus III, the general hospital; Med Campus IV, the public clinic for women and children; Neuromed Campus, Wagner-Jauregg National Psychiatric Hospital; and the accident hospital, one of the hospitals, Kepler University Hospital, is the largest in Upper Austria.
- Rescue: Linz has two major rescue organizations that also perform other tasks: the Red Cross and the Samaritan Workers’ Association. For Linz residents, these groups provide ambulance, first aid, disaster relief, blood donation and social services.
- Fire: Linz has both a professional fire brigade and several volunteer fire brigades that protect the city from other disasters, including fire threats. For the general public, the firefighters also organize public fire prevention, education and training courses.
- Police: Linz has a police force responsible for maintaining public order, crime prevention and investigation, and law enforcement. Alongside other security agencies and companies, the police department also works with the federal police, the criminal intelligence service and the municipal security service.
Libraries and Adult Education in Linz
Linz has a well-stocked and widely used library system providing the public with access to many media and services. The source’s claims indicate that the city owns:
- The main library and ten branches: The largest public library in Upper Austria is the Main Library with ten branches. In addition to numerous magazines, the library has a collection of 220,000 media, including around 60,000 audiovisual media. The library also provides computers for browsing and public Internet access. The promotion of reading is in the spotlight at the municipal library. Regular events include readings, seminars and e-reading consultation hours. The main library is located in the 15-story Wissensturm building which also houses the adult education center. Ten other branches of the library are located in several districts of the city: Ebelsberg, Franckviertel and Urfahr.
- The state library: The Upper Austrian National Library is the central scientific library. Books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers and digital media, among other media, abound in the library. The library also provides online access and databases for research and study. On Schillerplatz, a historic square in the city center, is the National Library. Originally built in 1895 and expanded in 2007 to provide more facilities and space.
Linz’s adult education system is also rich and varied, offering adults a range of courses and initiatives. Sources indicate that the city has:
- The adult education center (VHS Linz): With 1,710 courses with a total of 15,891 participants and 606 individual events with 13,883 participations in the 2021/22 course year, the adult education center (VHS Linz) is the largest adult education provider in Linz. The center offers courses and activities covering, among other areas, languages, culture, health, society, politics and technology. For special groups, including women, seniors, immigrants and refugees, the center also offers specialized courses and programs. The center is housed in the 15-story Wissensturm building, which also houses the main library.
- The vocational development institute (BFI): The BFI professional development institute is one of Upper Austria’s leading providers of vocational education and training. The institute offers courses and programs covering business, administration, healthcare, social work, technology and security, among other areas. To obtain professional qualifications, the institute also offers diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships. Among the many locations that the institute has in Linz are the BFI Technology Center, the BFI Health Academy and the BFI Center.
- The economic development institute (WIFI): The largest provider of economic education and training in Upper Austria is the Economic Development Institute (WIFI). The institute offers courses and programs covering, among other disciplines, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, tourism and commerce. The institute also offers testing, counseling and business and personal coaching. The institute is located in the modern industrial building known as the WIFI Center in the industrial district of Linz.
- The training center of the security executive (BZS) Linz of the security academy: The Upper Austrian Regional Training Center for security forces, i.e. police, fire and emergency services, is the training center for the security manager, BZS Linz, of the Security Academy. The center offers courses and programs covering, among other disciplines, law, tactics, communication and leadership. For actual training, the center also offers simulations, challenges and scenarios. The center is housed in the BZS Linz, a former dam station outside Linz.
Sports in Linz
Most sports teams in Linz are linked to one of the three main umbrella organizations: ASKÖ (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Sport und Körperkultur in Österreich), UNION (Österreichischer Betriebssportverband) and ASVÖ (Allgemeiner Sportverband Österreichs). In addition to planning multi-level events, these groups support, fund and coordinate their member clubs.
The most recent figures show that ASKÖ has 108 clubs with almost 48,500 members; The UNION has 67 clubs with nearly 40,500 members; ASVÖ has 49 clubs with almost 19,000 members in Linz. Among the many sports covered by these teams are football, ice hockey, volleyball, basketball, handball, swimming, rowing, fencing, horse riding, triathlon, rugby , snooker, fistball, floorball, etc.
Among the many sports teams in Linz, some, notably those in football and ice hockey, have become known nationally and internationally.
Founded in 1908, LASK (Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub) is the oldest and most successful football team in Linz. Having won the Austrian football championship in 1965, LASK has participated in numerous European competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Currently in the Austrian Bundesliga, the highest level of Austrian football, LASK has its stadium at the Raiffeisen Arena in Pasching, a suburb of Linz.
Founded in 1946 as a sports section of the VÖEST steel company, SK VÖEST Linz (Sportklub VÖEST Linz) was another well-known football team from Linz. In addition to participating in several European events, including the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, SK VÖEST won the Austrian football championship in 1974. But financial problems and restructuring led to the section’s closure. football team of SK VÖEST in 1997; the club now offers football only as a leisure activity.
Founded in 1997 by former SK VÖEST players and supporters, FC Blau-Weiß Linz (Blau-Weiß Linz fußball club) is considered the ideological successor of SK VÖEST. Currently representing the second tier of Austrian football, the Second Austrian Football League, FC Blau-Weiß Linz has its stadium at the Hofmann Personal Stadium in Linz.
Established in 1992, EHC Black Wings Linz (Eishockeyclub Black Wings Linz) is the best-known and most successful ice hockey team in Linz. The Black Wings have regularly competed in the Austrian Hockey League, the highest level of Austrian ice hockey since 2000, having won the Austrian Ice Hockey Championship twice, in 2003 and 2012. In 2014 and 2015, the Black Wings Wings have also participated in the Champions Hockey League. , the highest level of European club ice hockey. Black Wings lives at the Linz ice rink in Linz.
In addition to being a home for sports teams, Linz offers sports facilities and hosts sporting events. Among the many important national and international sporting events recently organized by Linz are the Fistball World Championship, the European Swingolf Championship, the European Figure Skating Championship, the European Table Tennis Championship and the Austrian Tennis Open.
In August 2011, the Fistball World Championship was held in Linz; the Askö Movement Center Linz hosted the preliminary rounds and quarter-finals, while the Waldstadion Pasching hosted the final. The Austrian national fistball team, second runner-up, lost to Germany in the championship match.
Held in Linz in September 2011, the European Swingolf Championship attracted 160 competitors from ten countries, all played on shorter courses. Swingolf is a variation of golf using a single club and a softer ball.
Held in Linz in January 2016, the European Figure Skating Championship attracted more than 200 skaters from 37 nations to the TipsArena Linz, the largest sports and event venue in Linz. Located on the “Gugl” hill, the TipsArena Linz, with a capacity of 6,000 spectators, can host other sports, including basketball, handball, volleyball and tennis, in addition to events and concerts.
Organized in Linz in September 2019, the European Table Tennis Championship brought together nearly 300 players from 44 nations at the TipsArena Linz. With three medals, including a gold medal in the men’s team event, the Austrian national table tennis team achieved a great event.
Held annually in Linz, usually in October, the Austrian Tennis Open attracts many elite players from around the world. The tournament is part of the second tier of men’s professional tennis, the ATP Challenger Tour. The TipsArena Linz hosts the event on indoor hard courts.
Linz is also a city that hosts unusual sports, including floorball and track cycling. Opening of the Hello Yellow Velodrome, the only velodrome in Austria and the first in Europe with a yellow track in 2022, Linz Located in the industrial sector of Linz, the velodrome has a 250 meter wooden track with an inclination of 45 degrees and can accommodate the public for classes and training as well as national and international track cycling events.
Played on a wooden or plastic floor with a plastic ball and sticks, floorball is a fast, dynamic sport that resembles ice hockey. Thanks to UHC Linz (Unihockeyclub Linz), the first and only floorball club in Linz, established in 2004, floorball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is quite common in Linz. Competent in the Austrian Floorball League, the highest level of Austrian floorball, UHC Linz consists of several teams for different age groups and skill levels.
