1945: Reconstruction

The “material” reconstruction after the bombing war mainly took place during the phase between 1945 and 1955, focussing on four areas: infrastructure, industry (e.g. Kaprun), housing and schools.

The importance of zonal boundaries has been overestimated in this context, while the contribution of the Allies (especially the US via the Marshall Plan) cannot be overstated. The reconstruction was, however, also financed by nationalisation (from 1946), pay cuts (wage-price agreement, 1947-1951) and other political initiatives (e.g. the 1948 Residential Building Subsidy Act).

In architectural history, this phase is rather disrespected: design conservatism and historical restoration dominated old and new constructions. Quick construction programmes and the renunciation of consumer goods also shaped housing construction; only occasionally – as in Germany – did the idea arise of using the destruction as an opportunity for modernisation.

In the Austrian memory landscape, the reconstruction period is considered a “heroic phase”, linked to the myth of the “victim thesis” or the “rubble women”.

External Resources (in German only):
Wohnbauförderungsgesetz 1948: https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/BgblPdf/1948_130_0/1948_130_0.pdf
Opfermythos: http://www.demokratiezentrum.org/wissen/timelines/der-opfermythos-in-oesterreich-entstehung-und-entwicklung.html