A new natural area is being created in the heart of Floridsdorf – a public recreation area for sustainable living in the future Donaufeld urban district
The next publicly accessible recreational area is growing in the city of Vienna with the “DonauGRÜNden”. A large publicly accessible recreational area is being created on the site of the future Donaufeld urban development area even before the first residential construction activities begin, offering people and animals opportunities for relaxation and retreat. The new green space directly adjacent to the Upper Old Danube will initially be 10,000 m² in size and will be accessible to all Viennese as a recreational area from 2025. When fully developed, around 14 hectares of undeveloped natural space will be dedicated to the public.
On August 14, Deputy Mayor and Housing Councillor Kathrin Gaál, Planning Councillor Ulli Sima and Environment Councillor Jürgen Czernohorszky, as well as District Mayor Georg Papai, gave the starting signal for the expansion of the new nature-based recreation area in Floridsdorf.
“For a growing, vibrant metropolis like Vienna, it is always a great challenge to provide enough affordable housing without forgetting the urgently needed local recreation areas. At Donaufeld, this is achieved by creating an ever-growing, continuously designed green oasis for the public with the “DonauGRÜNden”. This will not only benefit current visitors, but also residents of the next generation,” says Deputy Mayor and Housing Councillor Kathrin Gaál.
“Trees and meadows in the immediate residential area are important for recreation and leisure activities and provide cooling, especially on hot summer days. In addition, new habitats for plants and animals are being created here in our city,” emphasizes Climate Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky. “It is particularly important to us that the new local recreation area is accessible to everyone and easily accessible by public transport.”
“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 an optimal supply of green and open spaces. The surrounding areas also benefit from new urban quarters. Combined with affordable housing and good public transport connections, a modern and livable district is created here,” says City Councillor for Planning Ulli Sima.
Nature and habitat for humans and animals
The landscape will be characterised by extensive meadows, young trees and shrub plantings that will invite you to linger in the cool shade. In addition, the protected native green toad will find a spacious natural habitat, which will ensure the survival of the Donaufeld toads in the long term.
Gradual expansion of the “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 water-side and consumption-free recreation area and a central park will be available, as well as attractive cycle and pedestrian connections to the Marchfeld Canal.
“Until now, this large area was an insurmountable barrier between the residential buildings on Donaufelder Strasse and the popular recreational areas of the Alte Donau. It was therefore important to us that, at the same time as the designation for residential development, a 14-hectare central green belt with public passageways was legally secured 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 for all Floridsdorf residents is being created here,” emphasises District Mayor Georg Papai.
Excellent public transport connections
The extensive recreational area can be reached by public transport 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 housing units are being built in the Quartier an der Schanze, including student housing and other residential places. Construction work will begin in October 2024 and completion is planned for 2026. The GB*District Management has been active in Donaufeld since 2019.
