2.2 Ecosystems, natural and recreation areas

The enhancement of ecosystems, natural and recreation areas is embodied in a series of strategic documents that include the Vienna Forest and Meadow Charter (2020), the Smart Climate City Strategy Vienna (2022, German acronym SKCSW) and the Vienna Strategy for Pesticide Minimisation (2022).

Where Vienna’s forests are concerned, Municipal Department 49 – Climate, Forestry and Agriculture has been monitoring the composition of Vienna’s forest stands since the 1990s in order to identify long-term trends and duly adjust forest management methods. For example, reforestation measures favour indigenous tree and shrub species that fit in with a specific location and its climate in order to render the woods more resilient. Instead of large-scale interventions, the forest management measures implemented since the 2000s have been small-scale. A forest manual offers recommendations for environmentally sound forest management methods in compliance with the Vienna Nature Protection Act. Tree planting activities in densely built-up urban areas likewise take account of ensuring heat tolerance. Municipal Department 42 – Parks and Gardens conducts specific selection procedures for tree species. Ten “tiny forests” were planted across Vienna to create more natural spaces within the narrow confines of the city. Reforestation measures are participatory: Every year, Vienna’s citizens can take active part in the “Forest of Young Viennese” reforestation campaign.

Municipally owned agricultural land is cultivated purely organically. With regard to privately owned land, sustainability is aimed for and supported by means of subsidies, lease agreements or the Organic Farming Action Programme 2022+.

Municipal Department 45 – Water Management implements comprehensive renaturation projects. At the moment, the main focus is on Wien River and a brook, the Liesingbach, which is gradually and successfully being returned to its natural state. Challenges result from long-term planning horizons and the necessity to harmonise flood protection and ecological benefits.

Vienna is becoming greener: From 2020 to 2024, the City of Vienna created around 511,390 sq m of new and redesigned parks and gardens for humans, flora and fauna, planted 22,693 trees and unsealed 90,646 sq m of formerly asphalted surfaces. All these measures as well as the networking and safeguarding of green spaces are of central importance for Vienna’s climate resilience but also for the maintenance and strengthening of the ecosystems to ensure biodiversity. At the same time, indicators are developed to assess the overburdening of natural spaces, and studies for the adaptation of ordinances on protected natural areas are conducted as well.

Highlights:

• 14.9% of Vienna’s woods do not undergo any form of silvicultural intervention

• Horses and sheep are at the service of Vienna for eco-friendly forest and meadow management

• 38.4% of Vienna’s agricultural land is cultivated using organic methods; for municipally owned farmland, this rate is 100%

• Renaturation projects for Wien River and the Liesingbach Brook take account of local climatic conditions

• 22,693 trees were planted by Municipal Department 42 – Parks and Gardens; 6,541 of these are in new locations

• 511,390 sq m of new and (quasi-naturally) redesigned parks and gardens were created by Municipal Department 42 (19 new parks, climate-friendly design for 149 parks)

• Launch of construction works for a Biodiversity Park in the 22 ^nd municipal district Donaustadt – 11 hectares of recreation areas and habitats for flora and fauna

• The former Breitenlee marshalling yard is being restored to a natural state and will become a protected area (Natura 2000) and natural corridor between Bisamberg Hill and the Lobau wetlands

• 10 “tiny forests” for Vienna

• “Forests of Young Viennese”: Every year, 10,000 new indigenous tree and shrub species are planted as part of a fun and playful campaign for the whole family