Out of the Asphalt: Starting Signal for the Redesign of Simmeringer Hauptstraße

Now, work continues on the Simmeringer Hauptstraße in the section between Litfaßstraße and Zippererstraße – the "Gateway to Simmering" is to be greened, cooled, and made even more livable.

"This part of the Simmeringer Hauptstraße is particularly heavily sealed and thus a heat hotspot in the district, as last summer clearly showed. The redesign offers many opportunities for greening, cooling, and a better microclimate. The entire neighborhood can benefit from this in the future," says Vienna's City Planning Councilor Ulli Sima. "Moreover, narrow sidewalks, lack of shade, and few seating options make the street unattractive for everyone walking there. There are also many opportunities for improvements here. That's why I'm pleased that we will soon continue and, after the start last fall at the Simmeringer Entrance, we will now take the next step together with the residents - true to our motto 'Out of the Asphalt'," says Sima. As early as October 2024, the start of the redesign was set at the height of Litfaßstraße - with four new plane trees, a green area, improvements for the existing trees, benches, and a drinking hydrant.

In the coming days, the City of Vienna will send information brochures to households in the project area. These brochures provide information about the project and invite participation in a survey. "It is important for us to hear the concerns of the residents. We therefore invite them to tell us by March 26, 2025, which topics are important to them for the design of the Simmeringer Hauptstraße in the section between Litfaßstraße and Zippererstraße," explains District Chairman Thomas Steinhart. "Participation is possible online or via a card included in the folder - I am already looking forward to active participation." The results of the survey will be incorporated into the planning. In the summer, interested parties will have the opportunity to get an impression of the redesign: In an exhibition at the district office, the planning team will present the plans and receive further feedback. After the completion of the detailed planning, the redesign is scheduled to begin in 2026.

100 million euros in funding for greening and unsealing projects in Vienna's districts during this legislative period: This was the goal of the City of Vienna to promote greening and unsealing in the city with two million inhabitants in times of growing heat periods. This ambitious goal has already been achieved: Since the beginning of 2021, a total of 320 projects have been implemented or initiated in the districts. Projects were funded with 100 million euros, triggering investments of over 142 million euros. The current figures from the balance sheet of the "livable climate model city" clearly show this success:

• Greening of more than 74,000 m² in the streets and squares
• 3,004 new trees on streets and squares
• More than 2,500 additional seats
• More than 1,930 m² of new water features

The most extensive initiative for unsealing and greening in the city's history is in full swing, many projects have already been realized, and numerous others are currently being worked on. The focus is on shade-giving trees, extensive green areas, cooling water elements, and many seating options. Unsealing measures, which prove particularly effective during increasingly frequent heavy rain events, are also of central importance. With the planned redesign of the Simmeringer Hauptstraße, the next project for the removal of asphalt is now being tackled.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here .