Flourishing life in public green spaces
Public green spaces are not only parks - the smallest spots such as traffic islands, road margins, plant troughs, and extensive areas such as the Danube Island or cemeteries are also green spaces. All these areas play an important role when it comes to connecting city and nature. Strictly symmetrical parks and purely ornamental green spaces can’t really contribute to this though. The City of Vienna is a pioneer in this area; many green spaces are cared for with a more natural set-up in mind. This leads to the emergence of smaller and larger flowered areas and habitations all over the city. You as a city dweller, will benefit from a space for recreation and relaxing, and from being able to experience nature at your doorstep.
Good to know
- Ecologically valuable spaces are almost always lower maintenance than their counterparts (a flower meadow can tolerate weeds that would be a problem elsewhere).
- Existing plants are often ecologically very valuable and therefore worth preserving, i.e. Old trees.
- Parks and recreational areas are ideal for the promotion of fruit trees - fresh and free local supplies for human and animal city dwellers.
- Unnatural ponds in parks can easily be adapted and made more natural (i.e. By creating shallow shore areas and by planting).
- Some people might consider more natural-looking spaces to feel disorderly. But through communication we can raise awareness and create an appreciation for this ecological asset.
What does the City of Vienna do?
Have you noticed the changes yet? More and more flowerbeds in Vienna are sporting a new, more natural look:
Stadt Wien: Neues Bepflanzungskonzept der Wiener Stadtgärten (PDF)
The City of Vienna - Environmental protection department has been applying the wildlife and habitat protection programme Netzwerk Natur (engl. Network Nature) for two decades. Within the scope of the programme, other department of the City of Vienna receive consultancy:
Das Netzwerk Natur der Stadt Wien - Umweltschutz (wien.gv.at)
