From Thermal Baths to Climate Paths: GreenSPAS in Baden
From 22 to 26 April 2025, the historic spa town of Baden bei Wien (Austria) welcomed partners and stakeholders of the GreenSPAS project, co-funded by Interreg Europe, for the third interregional study visit. Organised by the Municipality of Baden bei Wien, the programme offered a rich combination of policy learning, technical discovery, and collaborative exchange at the intersection of ecological transition, wellness innovation, and thermal heritage.
The official opening was led by Mayor Carmen Jeitler-Cincelli, who emphasised the city’s commitment to sustainable urban development and health-oriented tourism. Participants from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Portugal gathered for a series of thematic sessions and on-site visits, exploring practical solutions to the shared challenges faced by spa towns across Europe.
Exploring Innovation and Good Practices
Over the course of three days, participants took part in thematic sessions and on-site visits that showcased inspiring examples of local policy and technical innovation, including:
- Climate-neutral strategies and sustainable thermal infrastructure, presented by the Austrian Institute of Technology, Baden Tourism, and the Department of Climate and Energy.
- A guided tour of the Römertherme, revealing its unique architectural structure and the ongoing challenges of sustainable energy management.
- A behind-the-scenes visit to Berndorf Bäderbau, where 90% recycled materials are used to produce stainless steel pools, with detailed insights from Reinhard Mosandl and his team.
- A technical and historical visit to Thermalstrandbad Baden, tracing the evolution of the spa complex from its origins to the present day, guided by Harald Gölles, Operations Manager.
Co-Creation and Collective Learning
Each day included structured debriefings and brainstorming sessions, giving partners the opportunity to reflect on what they had seen, exchange insights from their own regions, and co-develop ideas for local implementation.
“These exchanges are at the core of the GreenSPAS project and the Interreg Europe Programme, they’re not just about learning, they’re about creating new ideas together,based on trust, openness, and a shared goal of sustainability.” said Marta Lima (EHTTA), who facilitated the sessions.
Gerfried Koch, Manager of GreenSPAS in Baden and Head of the Department for Energy and Climate, added:
“Baden has 14 years of experience in climate and energy management. At the same time, our spa sector is facing major challenges. The GreenSPAS project allows us to learn from other cities and build on what we’ve achieved. I believe participants were able to take away best practices from Baden, just as we gained valuable input from our European colleagues.”
As GreenSPAS moves into its next phase, the experiences and insights gathered during this study visit will inform regional action plans aimed at strengthening ecological resilience, promoting energy innovation, and advancing sustainable tourism in spa towns across Europe. This visit marked another step forward in building a shared European vision for the future of thermal destinations.