The project deals with the idea of reclaiming public space for people instead of cars.
The basic idea* deals with the growing city and the demand for densification. Hence the question of the quantity and, above all, the quality of the public space. Dealing with this space between the islands of (structural) densification generates a basic idea of the urban and the utopia of the ›good‹ city of tomorrow. Starting point is the transformation of public space, which must be made accessible again for people. Currently, the public space is an oversized parking lot landscape. This contradicts the basis of the typology of the european city, whose quality is based on the accessibility on foot. Assuming a maximum walking distance of two to three blocks, this represents a strategic approach to freeing an area of four to six blocks from traffic - especially in Vienna, the next public transport stop is with a certain degree within reachable distance. The relationship between the availability of parking spaces and the volume of traffic is given and must be viewed critically.Starting with a construction site of 120 blocks, the principle of the garden city can be merged with the existing urban structure. At the beginning a new tram-section must be built along Gablenzgasse, what creates a tram ring around the target area. This ring connects the U6 with the U3 or S-Bahn. Park-and-Ride-opportunities are to be made available to private transport as a temporary solution for parking. As a further step, a conversion of the existing streets into residential streets or shared spaces was planned. Whereby alternating residential streets and green spaces are to be implemented. This means that each block still can be reached by the vehicle from at least one side. At the same time, garden apartments, playgrounds, community gardens etc. could be made possible in the newly created green corridors on the ground floor and children could play safely in the new green spaces again.
The principle of the commons serves as a strategic tool for implementation. This provides interesting organizational approaches, particularly based on the perimeter block development. Starting with the findings of Elinor Ostrom on the principle of the commons and Georg Franck, who transferred these findings to urbanism, the principle of the commons not just offers a new way of urbanism, but also a democratic debate on the use of public space, which in turn is fundamental for the typology of the European city.
* The Project is Part of the Book: Neue Wiener Dichte. Städtebau im Zeitalter der Stadt.
