State Climate Prize for “Wiener Wäldchen” – wien.ORF.at

The “Vienna Forest” is a small, very dense, fast-growing forest with a variety of different trees and shrubs that are densely planted. The project is operated as a joint venture between the municipal administration and the municipal departments of Vienna City Parks, Forestry, Agriculture and Environmental Protection.

“Wiener Wäldchen” also works to promote biodiversity

Due to their small size of 100 to 230 square meters and their rapid growth, these orchards are particularly suitable for small areas in densely populated areas, as well as for parking lots or courtyards. The forest is close to the city center, and the species diversity and biodiversity can be experienced first hand. Even after a few years, young forests lower the temperature of the immediate surroundings through evaporative cooling.

In 2022, the first “mini-forest” was planted in District 5 – and new sites are being added all the time; There are currently six “Vienna Forests” in the city area. Afforestation campaigns will continue in the fall of 2024. In the medium term, it is planned to find a suitable site for the “Vienna Forest” in all 23 districts of Vienna.

Urban green spaces of the future

Vienna City Parks took third place in the “Drought” category of the Austrian State Prize for Adaptation to Climate Change through its “grass and perennial bed” planting concept. This project responds to the city's rising temperatures and drought, which are increasingly pushing traditional flower beds to their limits. Since 2017, there has been a gradual shift from water-intensive annuals to drought-resistant perennial grasses and perennial beds.

In light of climate change, a large-scale attack has also been launched in the city in recent years. The resulting green spaces will also be planted with these herbaceous and perennial mixtures to revitalize the urban ecosystem and enhance biodiversity.

Climate policy is becoming increasingly important

The Austrian State Prize for Climate Change Adaptation (CliA) annually honors the most innovative projects that respond to global warming through exemplary and sustainable measures. The award is awarded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and the Climate and Energy Fund. It highlights the enormous importance of adapting climate policies to climate change and recognizes creative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“The awarding of these two projects in Vienna is important evidence that we in Vienna are taking the right steps in the field of climate change adaptation,” says Vienna Climate Advisor Jürgen Czernohorsky (SPÖ). According to Chernohorsky, projects play an essential role in countermeasures to the development of heat or drought.