About the report “Three years of WieNeu+ in Grätzl 20+2”

The report "Three years of WieNeu+ in Grätzl 20+2: Integrated urban renewal in Leopoldstadt and Brigittenau, 2023–2025" showcases projects and activities implemented as part of the WieNeu+ urban renewal programme in the municipal districts of Leopoldstadt and Brigittenau. The Grätzl 20+2 neighbourhoods are the second to see the roll-out of the WieNeu+ urban renewal programme, following Innerfavoriten in the 10th district (2021 to 2023).

WieNeu+ generates important impulses for climate- and future-proof neighbourhoods, which immediately benefit local residents as well as making a long-term contribution to the positive development of the city as a whole. The programme focuses on the following key fields of activity:

• Buildings & energy,
• Community-building, and
• Neighbourhood development.

The above are backed up by a cross-cutting knowledge and innovation management segment to embed the resulting lessons and insights within the municipal administration and develop solutions for long-term implementation.

WieNeu+ is a roll-out programme involving numerous stakeholders from the municipal administration and its associated enterprises as well as businesses, local initiatives and residents, who all work together to develop, pilot and implement forward-looking ideas for urban renewal.

The Grätzl 20+2 programme area comprises the part of the 20th district bordered by the Danube Canal and Stromstraße together with the Volkertviertel and Alliiertenviertel neighbourhoods in the 2nd district, with Nordwestbahnstraße linking the two areas.

The Volkertviertel, Alliiertenviertel and Wallensteinviertel neighbourhoods have a combined population of 44,000 (as of 2021). The programme area is very densely built up, with a high population density, a characteristic late-19th-century built structure and a large number of municipal housing complexes from different periods.

The existing building stock is in great need of refurbishment — particularly with regard to energy efficiency and climate change adaptation — and there are a number of challenges arising from the state of the buildings and their ownership structure.