Vienna becomes fit for walking

Walk21XIV International Conference on Walking and Liveable Communities

Munich, 10 – 13 September 2013

Executive Group for Construction and TechnologyPublic Works Group

Susanne LettnerThomas Keller

6th + 7th district, Vienna, Mariahilferstraße shopping street

Background

Modal split 2012

Pedestrians

Bicycles

PublictransportCars

Mercer study:Vienna was ranked No 1 in the quality of living surveys in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

28 %

6 %

39 %

27 %

Programmes with regard to pedestrian traffic in Vienna

Coalition government agreement between the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party (2010)

Urban Development Plan (STEP)

Vienna Traffic and Transport Master Plan 2003, evaluation in 2008

Vienna Climate Protection Programme (KliP)

Programmes

Transport policy objectives - Traffic and Transport Master Plan

Stabilising pedestrian traffic at a high level

Improving the quality for pedestrians

Increasing road safety for pedestrians

Improving mobility for persons with special needs

Programmes

Deputy Mayor Maria Vassilakou

Executive City Councillor for Urban Planning, Traffic & Transport, Climate Protection, Energy

and Public Participation

Organisation chart - Vienna City Administration

Core team

Executive Group for Construction and Technology

Public Works Group

Dept. 19

Dept. 28

Dept. 46

Dept. 18

Mobility Agency

Pedestrian strategy for Vienna

outlines measures for different areas,

includes the objectives of the Traffic and Transport Master Plan,

is completed by basic research, pilot projects, and various measures,

is a guideline for the 23 districts to implement the most important measures

Pedestrian strategy for Vienna

Basic research

Surveys among pedestrians

Pedestrian counting systems

Developing strategic routes for pedestrians

Updating district analysis maps

Measures to improve the quality for pedestrians

Road safety

Structural measures

Technical measures

Traffic calming measures

Increasing the subjective perception of roadsafety

Measures to improve the quality for pedestrians

Planning quality

Accessibility

Accessible pavements

Pilot project “Vienna – barrier-free city”

Public realm –

making open spaces more attractive

Pilot project on the topic of

shared space / “Strasse Fair Teilen”

Measures to improve the quality for pedestrians

Signage systems – wayfinding systems

Public relations

campaigns

Measures to improve the quality for pedestrians

Vienna’s new pedestrian zone: Mariahilfer Straße

connects Vienna‘s Western Railway Station with the City-Centre

total length: 1.650 m – pedestrian zone: 450 m

one of the most frequented shopping streets in Vienna

nearly 100.000 persons per day

12.000 cars daily

lots of shops + offices

living area as well between the 6th + 7th district

Aim: reduction of traffic + more public space for pedestrians

Mariahilfer Straße - parameters

Best practice – Mariahilfer Straße

Important steps

2011: workshops with people living, working and shopping there

people needs:

relaxation and talking-areas without consumption

more urban green

possibility of ‚water-areas‘ on the surface

a high quality of living

political discussions till the beginning of 2013

Best practice – Mariahilfer Straße

Change of traffic-organisation: Start on 16th of August 2013

close cooperation with police and many other players

testing phase only with marks and signs

observation + evaluation till March 2014

reconstruction: August 2014 – September 2015

Best practice – Mariahilfer Straße

Keep on walking!

Susanne Lettner

Thomas Keller

Executive Group for Construction and TechnologyPublic Works Group