2.4 Participatory processes

Photo of a workshop with younger prople standing and chatting with each other.

Fig. 12: An ideas workshop fosters innovative ideas through networking, as seen here in the Wallensteinviertel neighbourhood. © Local Urban Renewal Office (GB*)

Sustainable urban renewal only succeeds if it is done in dialogue with the people who live in the respective neighbourhoods. That's why WieNeu+ uses a wide range of participatory formats to actively engage local residents, showcase their ideas and promote community action. In many cases, these also act as a low-threshold platform for bringing local people on board and keeping them informed about WieNeu+ topics and issues. This approach delivers interesting projects that are not only innovative in terms of the built fabric but also have a social and cultural impact that strengthens people's identification with their living environment.

Public participation is also encouraged through ideas workshops, future workshops and other participatory formats. The Local Urban Renewal Office (GB*) is the key communication platform and on-site contact point for local residents.

"For us, urban renewal means pitching in and working together to regenerate what is already in place and create vibrant neighbourhoods." (Susanne Lins, Head of the Local Urban Renewal Office (GB*) for the 1st, 2nd and 20th districts)

A group of people. In the centre-right, a young woman (Helene Scheller) holding a small flag is smiling (Helene Scheller), and to her left, a young man (Stephan Hartmann) is looking at her. In the background, other people are watching the scene unfold. In the background, the entrance to a ground-floor pub.

Fig. 13: Guided neighbourhood walks are popular events, like this one in the Alliiertenviertel neighbourhood with speaker Helene Scheller (holding pennant) and Stephan Hartmann in the foreground. © City of Vienna/Markus Wache

A colourful children’s craft project using cardboard boxes, yarn and paper, depicting a town with a street running through the centre.

Fig. 14: Children model their ideas for the city — here at the annual Vienna Housing Day event in Rudolf-Bednar-Park. © City of Vienna/Jennifer Puchner

International networking and exchange

A photo from the conference showing Helene Scheller on stage in front of the audience, beneath the conference poster ‘URBIS / The smart Cities Meetup’.

WieNeu+ is also an international flagship programme of the City of Vienna. Numerous innovations developed and implemented in practice under the auspices of WieNeu+ are prime examples of sustainable and socially just urban renewal that enrich the European discourse. Visits by professionals and experts from all over the world offer the opportunity for in-depth face-to-face exchange to showcase the Viennese approach to an international audience.

"Our discussions with international groups of experts and students from all over the world frequently confirm that Vienna's efforts to safeguard sustainable development, high quality of life and affordable housing as part of its urban renewal programme are the right approach. By the same token, they also allow us to learn about international best practice and embed it in our own work." (Bojan Schnabl, WieNeu+ – Strategic Projects, Housing Research and International Relations, MA 50/MA 25)

Four men and a woman (Helene Scheller), with the woman in the centre looking at the camera; in the background, the logo of the URBIS conference. Far left Bernhard Klassen (Munich), far right Maxime Valentin (SPL Lyon Confluence)

Fig. 16: Face-to-face meetings with international partners are also crucially important: Helene Scheller with international colleagues at the URBIS Conference in Brno, 2024. © URBIS Conference