The Urban Space Central 15 project is an extensive urban development initiative aimed at transforming and enhancing the neighborhood located within the boundaries of Märzstraße to the north, Mariahilfer Straße/Linzer Straße to the south, Neubaugürtel to the east, and Sturzgasse to the west. While primarily situated in the 15th district, it encompasses areas of the 6th, 7th, and 14th districts as well.

The key focus of this project is to incorporate the outcomes of an extensive planning and participatory process into a sustainable neighborhood development concept. This concept aims to address the unique needs of the area while establishing frameworks for future developments that both preserve and enhance the existing quality of life.

Critical objectives include the creation and enhancement of green spaces, the reduction of barriers posed by railway infrastructure, and contributions to climate protection and adaptation strategies. Additionally, the project will explore potential perspectives for the area between Felberstraße and Westbahn.

The holistic approach taken by the Urban Space Central 15 project underscores its commitment to fostering a more sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious urban landscape.

© GB*/Daniel Dutkowski, denn nun ist der Stadtraum belebt/bunter.  


Involved Actors & Resources

Governmental body:No, at least not directly
Other public actors:Yes
If yes, explain by filling in the name(s) of the public actors and describe which sector and explain their role, briefly
  • LOKALE AGENDA RUDOLFSHEIM-FÜNFHAUS consisting of Dialog Plus, Caritas Stadtteilarbeit und Gegenblick (commissioned by City of Vienna)
  • Urban renewal office (commissioned by City of Vienna)
Private for-profit actors:No
Private not-for-profit actors:Yes
If yes, explain by using types of private not-for-profit actors such as associations, informal networks etc.
  • Association (Lokale Agenda) and Arbeitsgruppe (ARGE) consisting of non-for-profit and (for-profit) 
  • SMEArbeitsgruppe (ARGE) consisting of non-for-profit housing developer
Civic actors:Yes
If yes, explain on the heterogeneity of the participants with respect to gender, age, educational qualification, place of residence etc.All residents living in the 15th district / Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
Other actors:Yes
If yes, explainPublic actors, for-profit, non-for-profit in joint alliances for small-scale neighbourhood projects
Funding/Financial resources for the particular best practice example: Yes
If yes, specify e.g. amount of funding/year 

100k€/ year for the duration of 4 yrs.

app. 1.8 Mio. EUR for the duration of 3 yrs.

and the source(s) of funding (if more sources, please specify)a) 50% funded by the district, 50% by the Municipality.
B) through MA25


Type of Governance

Participatory process:Yes
Deliberative process:Yes
Other forms: if yes, specify;
Top-downNo
Bottom-upYes
Others: if yes, specify;Through alliances and collaboration for small-scale projects; or, as first initiative to get started larger (municipality-run) participation and/or urban development process


Specific Features on the Practical Arrangements to Promote Inclusiveness

Cost reimbursement (e.g., for public transport, compensation of working hours): if yes, describeNo
Provision of mediators (e.g., linguistic, cultural): if yes, describe/specifyYes; provided by the multi-disciplinary teams in a) and b)
Frequency of activities within the best practice: How often and for how long did participants involve in best practice (e.g., in general friendly towards employed people or people with care responsibilities)?Unknown


Target groups

External inclusion referring to who is invited or allowed to take part from the invitation = ideal situationEverybody from the 15th district
Internal inclusion referring to the participation of all participants within = real situation Unknown
Internal exclusion referring to certain participants who are overly dominant Unknown
Vulnerable groups were specified in the designed plan of the best practice:No
Did vulnerable groups participate in the best practice:Unknown


Public Information Activities 

Means of Information provided: Website, Newsletter, Social Media

Information documents (e.g., flyer, brochures, invitation letters): ;sometimes for specific initiatives
If yes: multiple languages available:Depends
If yes: non-technical language used:Yes
Social Media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, websites, blog):Yes
If yes: Please specifyhttps://www.facebook.com/Agenda15/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCssFiTxq9XgZHgwbHFv7hkA
https://www.instagram.com/meinlebenim15/
https://www.facebook.com/gbsternwien/?fref=ts
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7JJhYbNjMTHAK8yrbU5kdQ
https://www.instagram.com/gbsternwien/


Ways of Communication 

Website and social media postings:Yes
Information documents distributed in the post box:Unknown
Information documents distributed on streets and public spaces (during events):Depends
Press releases in “traditional” public media (e.g. linear TV, daily newspapers etc.):Yes
Special-target activities (e.g. through gate-openers, community workers etc.):Unknown


Monitoring

Monitoring process on the best practice available?Yes; however: for internal purpose, only
If yes: Continuous information on monitoring results provided to the participants:No
If yes: How? How often?Yearly and at the end of funding period
Integration of participants in the monitoring process?No
Continuous information on monitoring results provided to network partners (public and non-public actors)?No


Impact Assessment and/or Evaluation

Did an impact assessment (e.g., achievements, challenges) or evaluation (standardized success measurement) take place:Unknown


Citizen Empowerment & Representation

Structured Decision-MakingNo
Explanation of objectives and methods, at the beginning of the process?No
Do the participants make final decisions?Unknown
If no: Why? Who decides instead?Alliance of municipal department, urban renewal office and other actors involved
If yes: What kinds of decisions?Unknown
If yes: Is there a veto right by the citizens (i.e. if they are against a specific option this is not implemented?)?No
At the end of the participation process: Final document on the decisions that were taken?Yes
If yes: publication of this document available?Yes
If yes: publication of this document sent to participants and/or affected community?No

Tools to Enhance Citizens’ Empowerment

Clear definition and communication of mutual commitments, decision-making roles and any limits on the decisions?No
Are specific tools available to participants (e.g., regular meetings or training, apps)?Unknown
Integration of empowerment tools in multi-level-governance-system?Unknown


Involvement and Tasks of Participating Groups

Which groups are involved at which stage of the participatory process?Unknown
What are the tasks of the groups? Describe for each group.Unknown
Which groups are underrepresented among the participants? Why?Unknown