YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
As a result of differing needs in the use of the open space, there has been friction in the past between residents of different generations. At the initiative of urban planning councillor Michael Ludwig, Wiener Wohnen thus came together with the tenants, the Wohnpartner neighbourhood service and the Donaustadt district administration to develop an innovative facility for all ages, with play, rest and communication zones.
Urban planning councillor Michael Ludwig, district administrator Norbert Scheed and the head of Wiener Wohnen, Josef Neumayer, together took part in the ground-breaking ceremony for the project. The facility comprises six different areas for younger and older users, as well as meeting points. These include a water playground, a pavilion and, at the centre, rest and active zones for senior citizens. The detailed planning of four areas was worked out jointly with residents of all generations by relevant clubs and associations, such as Zeit!Raum and VJZ - Jugendtreff Donaustadt. The facility is therefore being constructed in stages, with each completed element being ready for immediate use.
“With this amenity for all ages, we are creating recreation and leisure areas, which meet the different wishes and needs of older and younger residents. But a large amount of space will also be devoted to happy coexistence. Shared meeting points and communication zones form a bridge between the generations, while promoting a positive life together and solidarity. Absolutely in line with the slogan ‘Talking brings people together’. In this way, misunderstandings are cleared up, people find out what they have in common, and mutual understanding is improved. However, the prerequisite is always that all tenants abide by the applicable rules of the game and the house rules", was how urban planning councillor Michael Ludwig outlined the goal of the new project.
“The use of open and green spaces, in public areas too, such as parks, repeatedly prompts debate. In the district, we are therefore making every effort both to design areas for different groups of users and to promote coexistence through support, events, and initiatives. I thus welcome the new project in the Alfred-Klinkan-Hof, which makes an important contribution to different generations living happily together so close to their homes”, explained district administrator Norbert Scheed.
The head of Wiener Wohnen, Josef Neumayer, emphasised that: This facility for all ages in the Alfred-Klinkan-Hof is a good example of the possibility of creating out of conflict something that all can share, if everyone pulls together. The happy coexistence of all age groups living on the estate is the goal towards which Wiener Wohnen is increasingly working”.
In the case of the facility at Donaustadtstrasse 30, the tenants, represented primarily by the chairwoman of the tenants’ association, were heavily involved in the planning process. By means of questionnaires and meetings organised by Wohnpartner and various youth organisations, the involvement of all groups in the further design phase was also guaranteed.
New design leads to less noise pollution
Due to the architecture of the estate, a particular challenge was presented by the high noise level of the facility, which was also a reason for the area being redesigned. The new design and maintenance of the area has not only reduced noise levels, but sound-absorbing measures have also contributed to increasing the satisfaction of residents.
Schedule and costs
Following the first phase of path construction, surface modelling, metalworking and lawn cultivation, the small open pavilion and the water playground were constructed. The completion of the facility for all ages is planned for spring/early summer 2013.
The total cost of the project will be € 333,000, the whole of which will be borne by Wiener Wohnen.
How did Stadt Wien - Wiener Wohnen come into existence?
Until the end of the 1990s, different municipal departments, including MA 27, MA 50 and MA 52, were responsible for urban residential building management. Current and potential council tenants often encountered obstacles due to this division of responsibilities. 1997 finally saw reform. At the initiative of the then urban planning councillor Werner Fayman, the tasks performed by the previously responsible municipal departments were grouped and Stadt Wien – Wiener Wohnen was founded.
The corporate mission of Wiener Wohnen: The reason for the existence of Wiener Wohnen is the population of Vienna’s need for affordable apartments designed to meet their needs. The target group are all those who, owing to their residential conditions and living circumstances, want to move into council flats, and those who already live in council accommodation.
Fascinating facts and data about Vienna’s council accommodation: About 500,000 people live in Vienna’s council accommodation. That can be compared with the population of Carinthia, which is 561,075 (Statistics Austria as of 1st quarter of 2009). Or the combined populations of Graz, Linz and Innsbruck. Together, these possess 561,282 inhabitants (Statistics Austria as of 2008).
The let area totals 13,441,914m2. That’s equivalent to around 1,829 football pitches (the size of one football pitch: 7,350m2).
In Vienna there are at total of approx. 2,000 housing estates managed by Wiener Wohnen. These estates contain about 213,000 flats. As a ratio to the number of flats in the whole of Vienna, which is 910,745 (as of 2001, Statistics Austria), this figure is really impressive. Because then it becomes clear that no fewer than one in four flats in Vienna is a council flat.
Moreover, Wiener Wohnen manages about 50,000 parking spaces.
Here are some more figures, data and facts about Vienna's council accommodation, for those who would like to know the precise details.
There are 7,600 lifts, 1,300 playgrounds, 1,800,000 bushes and shrubs, 75,000 trees (about the same number as managed by the city councils of Mannheim or Bonn, or roughly the number of trees on the streets of The Hague), 5,200 washhouses, 5,700 washing machines, 120 spinners, 5,500 dryers and 460 ironing machines.
More information:
Markus Stradner
Media spokesman for Wiener Wohnen
Tel.: +43 (0) 664/88 75 75 18
E-mail: markus.stradner@wien.gv.at
