Last updated: November 2024
The redesign of Reinprechtsdorfer Street in Vienna is a greening initiative aimed at climate adaptation by reducing local temperatures and increasing green space in a densely built urban area. Implemented within one year, the project included planting trees, adding green beds, and widening the pavement to create a more inviting environment. New seating areas, drinking stations, and water play installations were introduced, providing spaces for relaxation, cooling off during high temperatures, and fostering social interaction. Accessibility and traffic safety were enhanced by leveling the pavement with the street and adopting a one-way system for cars. The project, realized in 2023, was part of Vienna's city-wide "Out of the Tarmac" initiative and was spearheaded by the district and city council. It originated from discussions and a participatory design process with citizens dating back to 2014. Previously, Reinprechtsdorfer Street served as a congested connection between Wienzeile and Gürtel. The plan seeks to transform it into a “climate-friendly shopping street.” The redesign involves planting 32 new trees accompanied by flower beds, plus three standalone flower beds. Sidewalks were widened, and amenities included parking for 36 bicycles, nine benches, and seating for 46 individuals. Cooling features such as two water installations, three mist columns, and two drinking hydrants will enhance comfort. Renovation began in spring 2023, focusing first on the 400-meter stretch between Schönbrunner Straße and Arbeitergasse. A structurally separate one-way cycle path will link Schönbrunner Straße to Bräuhausgasse, while the existing cycle lane against the one-way system remained unchanged. (Ref. 1, 2, 6)
Comparison: before and after the remodelling
WienSchauen
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
- Land use and Socio-economic change
- Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of any other green urban spaces, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities
Project objectives
To improve the quality of life and amenities in the district by reallocating space and expanding pavement areas.
To increase green space within the district.
To decrease local temperatures and enhance the microclimate.
To provide cooling amenities for citizens by widening pavements, installing seating areas, and creating opportunities for social interaction and relaxation.
To involve the local community in the consultation and design process (Ref. 2, 5)
Implementation activities
Initial efforts to renovate the street began in 2014, however the project was not pursued in the planned form due to local elections and personnel changes. (Ref. 1)
In the first construction phase in 2023, Reinprechtsdorfer Straße between Schönbrunner Straße and Arbeitergasse was made more attractive, greened and made safe for traffic over a length of around 450 metres. 32 trees were planted and several green beds implemented. In addition to the greening measures, the pavements were widened and new seating, water features and two drinking stations were installed to provide cooling during high temperatures. The difference in height between the carriageway and pavements - was reduced during the renovation, making the road more barrier-free. The street was changed to a one-way system.
The redesign of Reinprechtsdorfer Strasse was preceded by a long discussion and planning process involving the local population. (Ref. 2; Ref. 3)
Further construction is planned in the coming years to redesign other sections of the street (Ref. 5).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The project was initiated by the district and the city council, who financed the implementation. (Ref. 2; Ref. 6). Citizens were involved in the planning stage regarding the project's design and preferences (Ref. 2). The garden architecture company kramerundkramer planted the trees (Ref. 2).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
("Out of the tarmac" strategy (German: Raus aus dem Asphalt); Vienna's streets and squares are currently being unsealed, cooled and greened - for future adaptation to climate change, to make public spaces in Vienna climate-friendly and to improve the quality of life. The project is featured on the strategy's website. (Ref. 6))
Type of enablers
Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of land
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Achieved lowered local temperature
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
- Achieved increased perception of safety
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Other
References
1.
DerStandard (2022). Wiener Reinprechtsdorfer Straße wird Einbahn – und grüner. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
2.
City of Vienna (n.d.). Reinprechtsdorfer Straße ist klimafitte Geschäftsstraße. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
3.
WienSchauen (2024). Reinprechtsdorfer Straße: Umgestaltung mit Schwächen. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Die Grünen Margareten (n.d.). Begegnungszone Reinprechtsdorfer Straße. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Schuster, B. (2023). Startschuss für die Umgestaltung der Reinprechtsdorfer Straße. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Raus aus dem Asphalt (n.d.). Raus aus dem Asphalt!. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
7.
City of Vienna (n.d.). Margareten in Zahlen. Accessed on September 6, 2024, [Source link];
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße after the redesign
WienSchauen
Vienna’s Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000136161240/wiener-reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-wird-einbahn-und-gruener
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
https://www.wienschauen.at/reinprechtsdorfer-strasse-umgestaltung-mit-schwachen/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.