The Vienna River, or “the Vienna” for short, flows through a total of nine Viennese districts over a distance of around 15 kilometers. The course of the river fulfills an important function for the city of two million people. In the inner city area it serves as an important flood protection facility; in the outer area, extensive renaturation measures have been implemented in recent years, creating a green and leisure oasis for animals and people. Now a further section will be tackled from autumn 2025: over a total length of 1.2 kilometers, the river between the Brauhausbrücke and Zufferbrücke will be restored to its natural state – planning work is already starting now. The corresponding planning services for this are on the agenda of the upcoming planning committee on September 2nd.
“Renaturation is very important in Vienna: whether on the Liesing or the Wienfluss – we have been taking appropriate measures on a large scale for many years and giving nature back to people, animals and plants. The outer area of the Vienna River in particular is a popular local recreation area, and the Wiental cycle path that runs along it creates an important connection to the city of Vienna. With the measures now planned on over a kilometer of river, we are ensuring that this unique leisure oasis is even more attractive,” said Ulli Sima, the city councilor responsible for water.
“The renaturation of the Vienna River is making good progress again – a huge benefit for people and nature! I am looking forward to this and many other renaturation projects in Vienna. Some are already concrete, for others the conditions are currently being created so that we can for future generations Bringing even more nature into the city,” says NEOS Vienna environmental spokeswoman Angelika Pipal-Leixner.
Natural planting and improved fish passage
The redesign work between the Brauhausbrücke and Zufferbrücke ties in with an area of the Vienna River that has already been renatured. The hard-built river bed is being removed, the watercourse is being widened and the banks are being upgraded with plants typical of the water.
“In the planned renaturation of the Vienna River, special attention is also being paid to improving fish passage. By compensating the gradient, fish can also colonize this renatured area in search of suitable spawning places,” said Gerald Loew, head of the responsible Vienna water department, delighted with the impending project implementation. District leader Michaela Schüchner is also a fan of the Vienna River and is pleased about the further upgrade: “The people of Penzing appreciate the leisure oasis on the Vienna River and as a cyclist, I have enjoyed the uniqueness of the Vienna Valley Cycle Path for many years.”
Innovative pilot project: Green walls implemented on the Vienna River
The City of Vienna is constantly planning measures to support the scenic and ecological quality of the Vienna River – without compromising flood protection. Depending on the location, planning renaturation measures on the Vienna River requires very special know-how.
Most recently, as part of a pilot project between Neville Bridge and Wackenroder Bridge the historic Vienna river walls, which limit the course of the river in the city center, are greened. Wild vine and climbing plants grow over a stretch of around 300 meters. The plants are not just a visual eye-catcher, they prevent the stone walls from heating up and have a positive influence on the microclimate.
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