2.2 Social neighbourhood

Thematic focuses

The “Social neighbourhood” pillar implements projects whose aim lies in promoting social inclusion and smooth social interactions in the neighbourhood. Moreover, measures are taken to support sustainable and resource-conserving lifestyles as well as to strengthen aspects of social justice in the programme area. A special focus is on the revitalisation of ground-floor zones, as they can contribute to rendering public space livelier and boosting local businesses.

The involvement of residents in the process of climate- and future-proof urban renewal is a key claim of WieNeu+. Active resident participation fosters integration at several levels and corresponds to the principles of “gentle urban renewal”.

WieNeu+ supports resident participation in manifold ways, including target group-specific information, activating participation methods, interventions in public space as well as such formats as co-creation, co-decision und community building.

GB*: your partner on the ground

Vienna's Urban Renewal Offices (GB*) are at the service of all interested parties as a key on-site contact point providing advice and practical assistance.

Opening up possibilities

As an on-site player, GB* acts as a hub for information that is accessible to all people in the WieNeu+ programme area. At the interface of co-operation partners, residents, local associations and businesspeople as well as district politicians, GB* ensures that contacts will be smooth and effective and activities can start right in the neighbourhood. Due to the small scale of the WieNeu+ projects, this intensive collaboration serves to build neighbourhood structures that can create social ties able to outlast the end of the respective project.

This is e.g. made visible in the work done in and around Quellenplatz square, where personal contacts facilitate on-site communication. “Supergrätzl Favoriten” is another project actively supported by GB* through information, guided walks and neighbourhood-specific knowledge. Co-operation with the competent planning studios, municipal departments and committed citizens makes it possible to be always up-to-date and to support processes where required. Through its collaboration with WieNeu+, GB* can relay local know-how quickly to higher-level authorities, thus permitting to tap this knowledge in manifold ways.