That is, in fact, one of the neat facts about Strassburg/Strasbourg - the Neustadt (lit. New Town) built during the German occupation of Alsace Lorraine between

That is, in fact, one of the neat facts about Strassburg/Strasbourg - the Neustadt (lit. New Town) built during the German occupation of Alsace Lorraine between the Franco-Prussian War and WWI was designed specifically as a capital of the west and outfitted with the latest technologies - as a result it's one of the oldest european city districts constructed entirely with in-building heating via distributed radiators connected to central boilers. This isn't at all a counter to your statement, just an interest fact nugget.