Motivation and research question

The project "Future OWA" addresses the question of how a historically significant urban area—the Otto Wagner site on Vienna's Gallitzinberg—can be developed into a contemporary, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive urban structure in line with the goals of a climate-neutral city. The central question was: How can the Otto Wagner site be designed as a model district for sustainable, aesthetically appealing, and socially equitable urban development?

This research question was addressed under the umbrella of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), whose values (aesthetics, sustainability, and inclusion) and working principles (participation, transdisciplinarity, and scalability) formed the content and methodological basis of the project.

Initial situation / status quo

The Otto Wagner complex (OWA) is a unique cultural and historical ensemble with high architectural and landscape quality. Following the relocation of the "Clinic Penzing", new development opportunities are opening up for the approximately 27-hectare site. However, the initial situation is complex: large parts of the building fabric are listed as historical monuments, energy and infrastructure renewal is costly, and at the same time there are high demands for social, cultural, and ecological quality.

Project content and objectives

In the project, a structured catalog of measures was developed that systematically records, specifies, and evaluates the transformation strategies planned or already being implemented at OWA. The aim was to create a methodologically sound set of tools that would enable a transparent and comprehensible evaluation of these strategies with regard to the principles and values of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).

The values and working principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) formed the normative basis for the development of specific key performance indicators (KPIs). These KPIs were designed to reflect both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the transformation processes and to enable a comparative evaluation of different measures.

To this end, four central thematic clusters were addressed 

1. Green and open spaces: Development of climate-resilient, inclusive, and identity-building open space concepts. 
2. Building and energy planning: Strategies for decarbonization and energy self-sufficiency of existing listed buildings. 
3. Mobility and operation: Designing a low-car, activity-promoting, and emission-free neighborhood operation. 
4. Mix of uses and functions: Establishing a diverse, socially mixed, and affordable mix of uses.

In all thematic areas, overarching planning goals, sub-goals, and KPIs were formulated and differentiated according to ambition levels. The results form the basis for future development, renovation, and research measures on the site. By clearly focusing on the values and working principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), they enable transformation processes to be measured and managed in a targeted manner.

Methodological approach

The project pursued a participatory, transdisciplinary approach in which experts from administration, science, business, culture, and civil society collaborated in moderated expert forums. The methodological focus was on collaborative knowledge production, integration of specialist knowledge and empirical knowledge, operationalization of planning goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), and translation into recommendations for action.

Parallel to the expert forums, students from the Institute of Building and Industrial Engineering, Research Area Building Construction and Building Preservation (TU Vienna) developed concepts for the structural and energy-related upgrading of selected pavilions as part of the course on the maintenance and renovation of buildings. The results of the course were incorporated into the overall concept.

In addition, content from good practice examples and ongoing innovation labs (future.lab, Green Energy Lab, Vienna Geospace Hub, Renowave) was included.

Results and conclusions

The project team was able to show that a climate-neutral transformation of listed buildings is possible if technological, social, and design innovations are considered together. A comprehensive catalog of targets and indicators was developed, defining development goals and implementable measures at different levels of ambition. The KPIs developed serve as evaluation and control instruments for further planning and investment decisions. This resulted in a model that can be transferred to other cities in terms of content and methodology. In addition, a common understanding of priorities, conflicting goals, and opportunities was created among the relevant stakeholders—an essential basis for the next development phase.

Outlook

The results obtained form the basis for measuring and categorizing the transformation steps for the gradual realization of the OWA as a model neighborhood in line with the "New European Bauhaus" concept. They enable a targeted assessment based on the NEB values and serve as a reference for comparable development processes. In the short term, a demonstration project in the field of "bio-based materials & street furniture" is being prepared for submission. At the same time, further research and implementation projects on mobility, energy supply, and the circular economy are being designed.

In the long term, the OWA is to serve as a real-world laboratory for climate-neutral neighborhood development—a place where ecological responsibility, social inclusion, and building culture are brought together in an exemplary manner. The project thus makes a concrete contribution to the implementation of Austria's "Climate-Neutral City" mission and to positioning Vienna as a European model city for sustainable urban transformation. 

Project management

UIV Urban Innovation Vienna GmbH

Project or cooperation partners

• Otto Wagner Areal Revitalisierung GmbH
• TU Wien / Hochbau und Gebäudeerhaltung

UIV Urban Innovation Vienna GmbH
Mag. Herbert Bartik
Operngasse 17-21
A-1040 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (664) 883 568 95
E-mail: bartik@urbaninnovation.at
Web: www.urbaninnovation.at