Vienna Urban development issues and concerns Urban Sprawl

Vienna – Urban development issues and concerns: Urban Sprawl: an ecological, economical and social problem

TREND: Urban Sprawl decrease in population in urban city centres

Growing number of shopping malls in central areas as well as in the suburbs harms local shops, negatively affects the quality of living areas and produces anti urban situations in the next years 400. 000 m 2 of shopping malls are planned in Vienna

Urban development policies are still based on mobility with individual transport instead of focusing and encouraging other modal split options and ecological means of transport

The realisation of many important projects is dependent on private investment. The current City government fails to define and assert public interest against investors

Top-down urban planning measures: general public does not have sufficient access to information or genuine participation options concerning new projects in their neighbourhood

Lack of serious measures against gentrification and rising social segregation

Green projects, initiatives and ideas: Demonstrative measures against information politics of the city government Models – brochures - information platforms and support for independent initiatives of local groups

Green projects, initiatives and ideas: proposal for a more comprehensive concept against unplanned, profit focused developments

Green projects, initiatives and ideas: green ideas realized in cooperation with the city government (so called red -green projects) aiming at participative, ecological and innovative models of planning Car-Free housing project – Terassenhaus - Generationen Wohnen

Green projects, initiatives and ideas: Wiental – Highway: direct highway for bicycles along the river ‘Wien’ – to encourage ecological mobility

Green projects, initiatives and ideas: Green‘Balkony’ initiative – acting against futile building regulations, which prohibit balconies. Asserting the importance and qualities of compact ‘private free-spaces’

Resolution - Green Urban-Planning Concepts Introduction: The majority of the European population lives in Cities and urbanized areas. Cities of all sizes are valuable and irreplaceable economic, social and cultural assets. European cities are facing a growing number of challenges such as demographic changes, social inequality, migration, social exclusion of specific groups, increasing economical competition, as well as environmental problems.

Resolution - Green Urban-Planning Concepts Networking and Cooperation Cross-border cooperation, exchange presentation of best-practice projects. of experience and knowledge and

Resolution - Green Urban-Planning Concepts Making greater use of integrated urban development policy approaches Integrated urban development policy is a process in which the spatial, sectoral and temporal aspects of key areas of urban policy are coordinated. The involvement of economic actors, stakeholders and the general public through different cooperatives and participation models is essential.

Resolution - Green Urban-Planning Concepts Paying attention to social dimensions in urban planning Providing affordable housing for social groups with low income, ensuring social diversification and working towards upgrading and reintegrating disadvantaged areas into the city.

Quality of built-environment Stressing upon the role of built-environment on the quality of urban life and therefore, establishing high standards in the fields of urban design and architecture. Creating and ensuring high-quality public spaces Public spaces play an important role on the quality of living conditions of urban population. Therefore, free and non-commercial spaces for activities of different social and age groups should be provided and maintained.

Ecological Aspects Calling for city governments to set an example by adapting ecological forms in public buildings, facilities and services. Transport and traffic Encouraging and providing infrastructure for environmental friendly modes of transport: walking, cycling as well as affordable and comfortable public transport.

Thank you for your attention ! Looking forward to an interesting discussion on different experiences about urban planning policies in your cities and on the drafted resolution on Green Urban-Planning Concepts!