Sustainable Streetscapes: Design Approaches and Examples of Viennese Practice

Jürgen Furchtlehner,Lilli Lička,Daniela Lehner

doi:10.3390/su14020961

Jürgen Furchtlehner, Lilli Lička + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020961

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Abstract

Streets are ubiquitous and cater to various functions in a city. However, today most streets are unilaterally used and designed likewise. Car-centred spatial distribution is currently being questioned in the course of urban densification and in light of climate and ecological challenges. The presented work focuses on a multi-layered transformation of streetscapes towards a multi-purpose social and ecological space, which goes beyond a mere redistribution of space and functions. This paper draws from the results of an interdisciplinary research project headed by the Institute of Landscape Architecture (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna). The Viennese situation is aligned with international trends. The research includes comparative analysis of streetscapes in Vienna and comparable cities, literature reviews, collaborative workshops and qualitative interviews. As a result, progressive layout specifications and quality aspects for future streets are proposed and presented in extracts. Furthermore, the goal of green space social equity is linked. The paper concludes by arguing for comprehensive consideration and redesign of streetscapes as one promising puzzle to counteract the evident challenges of climate change in urban settings. Its range reaches from small scale microclimatic improvements up to citywide provision of accessible, useable, ecologically sound and sustainable public space with new standards for streets as potential backbone.

Highlights

Today, cities are struggling with a shortage of space and the need for climate adaption in the course of increasing urban densification
The paper concludes by arguing for comprehensive consideration and redesign of streetscapes as one promising puzzle to counteract the evident challenges of climate change in urban settings
In the context of climate change enhancing, green infrastructure (GI) is a promoted and validated approach to mitigate the impacts of increased temperatures and extreme weather events in urban areas [7,8]

Summary

Introduction

Cities are struggling with a shortage of space and the need for climate adaption in the course of increasing urban densification. In the context of climate change enhancing, GI is a promoted and validated approach to mitigate the impacts of increased temperatures and extreme weather events in urban areas [7,8]. In the context of social and health benefits, GI is a major player in making or keeping cities liveable by forming a network of recreational spaces of different sizes and forms. Benedict and McMahon call it “an interconnected network of greenspaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations” [9] Benedict and McMahon call it “an interconnected network of greenspaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations” [9] (p. 5) that is “essential to producing the ecosystem services critical to sustaining life and supporting human health” [9] (p. 13)

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