Urban Development Projects - Erdberger Mais / Aspanggründe

Urban Development Zone Erdberger Mais / Aspanggründe

Planning area with key zones (Photo: MA 21A)

Key concept |
Original situation |
Project objectives |
Implementation |
Panoramic photos

Key concept

The Erdberger Mais area combines high-quality infrastructure and ample space with a high development potential, thus offering ideal prerequisites for focused improvement measures. Cooperation projects in urban development coordinated by the City of Vienna's Chief Executive Office for Urban Planning, Development and Construction are providing basis for achieving maximum effect with regard to general urban planning objectives while offering potential investors the security and flexibility they need.

Original situation

The infrastructure and general attractiveness of the Erdberger Mais has been enhanced considerably by the extension of underground line U3 to Simmering (2000), and will be boosted even further by the upgrading of rapid transit line S7 scheduled for 2003, when a new stop will be added at Sankt Marx to provide a direct link to the line serving Vienna International Airport at Schwechat. The area will thus become the centre of the Simmering-Schwechat development axis. Moreover the conversion projects scheduled for the Gasometer buildings and the premises of the former city abattoirs are bound to trigger a number of follow-up projects.

Existing development concepts for this area, which do not take into account the obvious increase in attractiveness, therefore need to be revised.

So far ideas for the area's future development objectives focus on a mixed structure with a population density suited to the urban location (i.e. a minimum of 200 inhabitants or workplaces per hectare) and a structural mix that mainly consists of commercial space and service enterprises but is supplemented by residential space in order to revive the area at all times of the day.

Project objectives

Based on a practice-oriented planning approach the following objectives are to be implemented for the urban development zone Erdberger Mais /Aspanggründe.

developing a comprehensive planning strategy,
while simultaneously translating this development strategy into a consensus-based guiding concept that provides answers to key questions regarding functionality, legal framework, timescale, institutions and financing;
starting project development in parts of the area which are in urgent need of action, notably including the zone north of the gasometers as well as the Sankt Marx and Aspanggründe areas.

This will contribute decisively to implementing several objectives of the Vienna Strategic Plan:

Establishing the Erdberger Mais area as a modern business location that is supplemented by dwellings in an urban setting and located in the immediate vicinity of the city centre, the Prater recreation area and Vienna International Airport, thus ensuring that the business location Vienna will continue to offer high-quality locations to potential investors in the medium term.
Concentrating technology start-ups and businesses close to the Arsenal research centre and the Rennweg biotechnology centre in order to facilitate transfer of knowledge.
Combining a high-capacity bus and tram system with a convenient and comfortable network of footpaths and cycle paths. Given that population and workplace density is set to increase considerably, these elements are to supplement the underground line U3 and the rapid transit lines in order to keep the car traffic down to a minimum.
Creating high-quality modern architecture as an example for innovative comprehensive solutions.
Taking into account investors' requirements at an early stage in order to guarantee a high degree of security in project planning and implementation.
Jointly coordinating public relations measures in all project phases.

Implementation strategies, partners, timescale

Since September 1998 a planning team coordinated by the Municipal Department 21A (District Planning and Land Use Central West) has been working on the area's future development. The work of the planning team is focused on utilisation types and densities, traffic and transport, planning law, open spaces, land management, and developing infrastructure for land resources within the competence of the Vienna Public Utilities (Wiener Stadtwerke). By now it has become clear that service-oriented land management and professional marketing measures are needed to ensure progressive development of the area.

A maximum period of three years is scheduled for the following tasks: drawing up the development strategy, developing the guiding concept, and starting the first project developments.

In the meantime a new land use and development plan has been adopted for the zone north of the gasometers, which serves as a pilot zone.
A guiding concept for urban development in the Sankt Marx area has been formulated as a basis for the ongoing development of a land use and development plan. Facts have been collected and analysed to facilitate the decision on the future of the central meat market.
As for the Aspanggründe area, London-based architect Lord Norman Foster has been commissioned by the Eurogate Consortium with developing a master plan based on a task list established by the Urban Planning Department of the City of Vienna.
These measures are complemented by a variety of individual projects, such as the planned building above the future U2 underground garage at Erdberg or the office complex termed "Adler und Ameise" (Eagle and Ant), which is currently under construction.