The next publicly accessible local recreation area, the “DonauGRÜNden”, is emerging in the city of Vienna. On the site of the future Donaufeld urban development area, a large, publicly accessible local recreation area is being built before the first residential construction activities begin, which will offer relaxation and retreat opportunities for people and animals. The new green space directly connected to the Upper Old Danube will initially be 10,000 m² in size and will be accessible to all Viennese as a recreation area from 2025. When completed, around 14 hectares of undeveloped natural space will be dedicated to the public.
Vice Mayor and Housing Councilor Kathrin Gaál, Planning Councilor Ulli Sima and Environment Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky, as well as district leader Georg Papai, gave the starting signal for the expansion of the new natural recreation area in Floridsdorf on August 14th.
“For a growing, vibrant metropolis like Vienna, it is always a big challenge to provide enough affordable living space, without forgetting the urgently needed local recreation areas. This is achieved at the Donaufeld by creating an ever-growing, continuously designed green oasis for the public with the “DonauGRÜNden”. Because not only the current visitors benefit from this, but also the residents of the next generations,” says Vice Mayor and Housing Councilor Kathrin Gaál.
“Trees and meadows in the immediate residential area are important for relaxation and leisure activities and provide cooling, especially on hot summer days. “In addition, new habitats for plants and animals are being created in our city,” emphasizes Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky. “It is particularly important to us that the new local recreation area is accessible to everyone and easily accessible to the public.”
“By creating local recreation areas at an early stage, as in this case with the “DonauGRÜNden”, we ensure that new urban development areas are equipped with optimal green and open space provision. The surrounding areas also benefit from new urban districts. Combined with affordable living space and good public transport connections, a modern and livable district is being created here,” says planning councilor Ulli Sima.
Natural and habitat for people and animals
The landscape will be characterized by extensive meadows, young trees and shrub plantations that will invite you to linger in the cooling shade. In addition, the species-protected native green toad finds a generous natural habitat, which ensures the long-term survival of the Danube field toads.
Successive expansion of “DonauGRÜNde”
A network of paths will gradually enable continuous public use for nature lovers. The design of the “DonauGRÜNde” is being continuously expanded, so that in the final stage a new, consumption-free recreational area close to the water and a central park will be available, as well as attractive cycle and footpath connections to the Marchfeld Canal.
“Until now, this large area was an insurmountable barrier between the residential buildings on Donaufelder Straße and the popular recreation areas of the Old Donau. It was therefore important to us that, at the same time as the dedication for residential development, a 14-hectare central green area with public passages was secured under dedication law in the first development phase at the end of 2017. In this way, a new local recreation area with high-quality green and open spaces is being created here for all Floridsdorf residents,” emphasizes district leader Georg Papai.
Well connected to the public
The extensive local recreation area is publicly accessible via tram lines 25 and 26 and is within walking distance of the U1 subway line. The Donaufeld educational campus is in the immediate vicinity. At the same time, Vienna is continuing to expand the urgently needed affordable housing. Around 2,000 subsidized residential units are being built in the Schanze district, including student dormitories and other residential places. Construction work will begin in October 2024 and completion is scheduled for 2026. The GB*district management has been active in Donaufeld since 2019.