Wie cool ist denn diese Straße?!

Abstract

Prioritizing motorized traffic for decades, we are faced with the spatial consequences today: rural and urban areas were optimized for cars and, therefore, paved. Currently, urban public space is zoned to accommodate cars first. Under threat by the effects of climate change, officials and planners are looking for ways to adapt city spaces to ameliorate heat and extreme weather conditions. While the range of suggested possibilities is substantial, ranging from greening walls and green roofs, changing surfaces from sealed to resorbing much-needed groundwater and planting more trees, public space is limited and already in multiple uses. Lacking public space and therefore turning to urban streets, Zieglergasse, a street adaption project was commissioned by the city of Vienna and the 7th district, entailing a water supply restoration. In balancing the multiple interests, limited space and place, a range of micro adaptions along the street of trees, water diffusers, bike racks and reduction of stationary traffic towards more public space were put in place. This was one of the first of many adaptions of urban streets in Vienna to ensure a long-term, gentle renovation towards a climate-resilient and livable cityscape.Die Straße ist in der Tat ein hartes Pflaster – und heiß umkämpft obendrein. Die Straßen nehmen im 7. Wiener Gemeindebezirk 25 Prozent (!) der gesamten Bezirksfläche ein. Das ist eine nicht zu unterschätzende Freiraum-Reserve, in der die dringend notwendigen Klimawandelanpassungen von der öffentlichen Hand umgesetzt werden können. Die möglichen Maßnahmen sind bekannt, die Wirkungen untersucht – jetzt geht es darum, aus ersten Schritten zu lernen und ein umfassendes Programm für die Gesamtstadt zu entwickeln.