One of the biggest streets that was once a red light district is about to get a climate friendly area in Vienna. We are talking about Felberstraße, which has ceased its activities related to prostitution back in 2011. This was due to the new prostitution law coming into effect that banned street prostitution in most parts of the city’s outskirts and industrial areas. A green oasis is about to be created there that will improve the environment to a significant degree.
The initial designs regarding the makeover in Felberstraße are already available. They were provided by the city, which was only the beginning. Now residents are also able to provide their suggestions with the goal to end up with a comprehensive plan.
Vienna is also working with BB Infrastruktur, a company that has worked on creating many climate-friendly districts throughout the years. They are proficient in turning old storage grounds and train station areas into green spaces. This project in particular is located in Westbahnhof and focuses on the Felberstraße area.
“We Want to Take This Historic Potential and Turn it into Green Space” Sima
What they have is a six hectare storage ground, which will be large enough to create a climate friendly area that will make a difference. This will be done while still respecting the continued train operations going on in Westbahnhof.
As a result, the proposals will have no impact on the train hub itself. According to Ulli Sima (SP), one of the planning council members, the project should be all about environmental sustainability.
During her presentation on Monday 7th, November, she stated the following: “Westbahnhof is a heavily populated location where it is mandatory to have big and fresh green areas.
The problem is that there are not many such green spaces in the 15th district. The only ones surrounding Westbahnhof are the Reithofferpark and the Auer-Welsbach Park. Now there is a historical opportunity to create a new one that residents can enjoy. With this, we will achieve that Vienna has another distinctive climate friendly space to offer on its west side. This will make the region significantly more appealing.”
The Project Got its Own Meeting Point in Runstensteg
Town residents of Penzig, Neubau, Mariahilf, and Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus are encouraged to contribute to the project. The city has set aside a whole year to gather ideas with the goal to end up with a thorough plan at the end. During the participatory process, many tours, events, and gatherings will be organized. They already had a big conversation day at the end of November that included neighborhood walks.
The Stadtraum Mitte 15 is another gathering place built on Rustensteg that is temporarily used as an information center. It is one of the many locations that plays a big role in the participation process. The area where the climate friendly green space is planned is populated by over 21,000 people.
The Building Law Agrees about the Site’s Potential for Development
“Even though the Westbahnhof is a crucial transportation center in the city, it has empty operational regions as well. These areas have a lot of potential for growth and we need to exploit them in this regard. The 15th district, on the other hand, is heavily populated. This also means that it is increasingly important to give its residents the green space and open areas they need.” Said district manager Dietmar Baurecht.
BB Infrastruktur also spoke up on the subject. Their board member Silvia Angelo added: “This will be a significant and necessary contribution to the environmental development of Westbahnhof. The public engagement process is a highly effective way to take advantage of this opportunity while providing a source of inspiration for future planning.”
