Vienna, Austria ́s capital, has been inhabited (almost) continually for over 2000 years. Wolfgang Förster argues that its development of housing – ranging from the first Celtic settlement to today ́s subsidized housing estates based on the famed “4 pillar model” may well be used to describe the city ́s sociocultural history – better than the usual succession of rulers and battles. At the end of the book, the question arises whether we shall still need traditional housing in the 21st century. Will new housing be replaced by buildings with open functions? Will new types of families have other demands and priorities? Will the climate crisis change our housing systems? Or are we returning to nomadism? Wolfgang Förster ́s book is being launched on September 21. 2020 within the framework of the IBA_Wien Intermediary Presentation (International Building Exhibition on “New Social Housing”).