by Mahr
[Title Page and Publication Information]: Title page and publication details for Alexander Mahr's work on suburban settlements (Stadtrandsiedlung) published in Vienna in 1933. [The Economic and Social Necessity of Suburban Settlements]: Mahr argues that suburban settlements (Stadtrandsiedlung) are essential for combating unemployment caused by industrial rationalization and trade barriers. He posits that as industry fails to provide full employment even during recoveries, workers must supplement their income through small-scale agriculture on the city outskirts. He highlights that shorter working hours in industry make this dual-employment model both possible and necessary for social stability and physical well-being. [Technological Unemployment and the Shift to Decentralized Industry]: Mahr analyzes the structural shift in the labor market, citing US data where production increased while employment decreased due to rationalization. He proposes a 'third economic form'—a hybrid of industrial and agricultural labor—supported by industrial decentralization made possible by electricity and modern transport. He references international precedents, including Roosevelt's 'Looking Forward,' Seldte's plans in Germany, and Mullins' vision of decentralized factory-garden communities in England. [Implementation through Voluntary Labor Service and Self-Help]: The author discusses the practical selection of settlers through a voluntary labor service (Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst), which tests their aptitude for agricultural work. He provides a case study of the 'Lobau' settlement in Vienna, where destitute workers successfully built homes and achieved self-sufficiency with minimal state aid. Mahr emphasizes that while self-help is impressive, large-scale success requires organized state support and the integration of labor service into the construction process. [Land Requirements and Cost Reduction Strategies]: Mahr details the technical requirements for settlements, suggesting a minimum of 1500-3000 square meters per plot to ensure subsistence. He proposes radical cost-reduction methods for construction, including using unemployed industrial workers to produce building materials (bricks, timber) in exchange for 'work shares' or future home ownership. By combining tax exemptions, reduced freight rates, and voluntary labor, he estimates the cost per settlement can be reduced to a fraction of market prices. [Financing the Settlement Program and Economic Outlook]: The final section outlines a financing plan using domestic loans and state guarantees. Mahr argues that the 30 million Schillings required for 20,000 settlements is a superior investment compared to traditional public works like road building, as it provides a permanent solution to unemployment and reduces the state's long-term welfare burden. He concludes that suburban settlement should be the top priority of national economic policy to restore hope and productivity to the workforce.
Title page and publication details for Alexander Mahr's work on suburban settlements (Stadtrandsiedlung) published in Vienna in 1933.
Read full textMahr argues that suburban settlements (Stadtrandsiedlung) are essential for combating unemployment caused by industrial rationalization and trade barriers. He posits that as industry fails to provide full employment even during recoveries, workers must supplement their income through small-scale agriculture on the city outskirts. He highlights that shorter working hours in industry make this dual-employment model both possible and necessary for social stability and physical well-being.
Read full textMahr analyzes the structural shift in the labor market, citing US data where production increased while employment decreased due to rationalization. He proposes a 'third economic form'—a hybrid of industrial and agricultural labor—supported by industrial decentralization made possible by electricity and modern transport. He references international precedents, including Roosevelt's 'Looking Forward,' Seldte's plans in Germany, and Mullins' vision of decentralized factory-garden communities in England.
Read full textThe author discusses the practical selection of settlers through a voluntary labor service (Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst), which tests their aptitude for agricultural work. He provides a case study of the 'Lobau' settlement in Vienna, where destitute workers successfully built homes and achieved self-sufficiency with minimal state aid. Mahr emphasizes that while self-help is impressive, large-scale success requires organized state support and the integration of labor service into the construction process.
Read full textMahr details the technical requirements for settlements, suggesting a minimum of 1500-3000 square meters per plot to ensure subsistence. He proposes radical cost-reduction methods for construction, including using unemployed industrial workers to produce building materials (bricks, timber) in exchange for 'work shares' or future home ownership. By combining tax exemptions, reduced freight rates, and voluntary labor, he estimates the cost per settlement can be reduced to a fraction of market prices.
Read full textThe final section outlines a financing plan using domestic loans and state guarantees. Mahr argues that the 30 million Schillings required for 20,000 settlements is a superior investment compared to traditional public works like road building, as it provides a permanent solution to unemployment and reduces the state's long-term welfare burden. He concludes that suburban settlement should be the top priority of national economic policy to restore hope and productivity to the workforce.
Read full text