New Planning Activities in Vienna’s Water-Management

Abstract

The oxbow lake `Alte Donau' and its surrounding green spaces are one of the most popular recreational areas in Vienna. Since the 1990s Vienna is steadily growing, this has induced raising land use impacts and intensifying conflicts between competing interests. As a consequence Vienna's water-authority (MA 45 Wiener Gewasser) assigned the `Masterplan Alte Donau' - an innovative planning process integrating ecological and free-space planning into watershed management. The main objective of this masterplan is thus to improve the usability of green spaces and recreational areas in accordance to the sensitivity of the ecosystem and nature protection. The Masterplan Alte Donau comprises an action plan for the lake and the vicinity and for the water-related recreational facilities, including water management and nature protection measures. Furthermore it outlines a freespace concept for the waterfront and green areas taking into account the balance between the needs of all groups and the standards of green space planning. The Masterplan Alte Donau thus strives to meet all requirements for the preservation of the sensitive urban habitat of the oxbow lake on the one hand, and to keep the residential area attractive by providing green spaces and water access for recreational activities on the other hand.