Vienna and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region History, Plans, Projects
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Vienna and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region History, Plans, Projects Fourteen countries with one goal: To promote the further economic and cultural growth of the region in the heart of Europe through close collaboration. DRe_01_24_Cover_en.indd 1 05.03.12 11:20 Contents, Imprint 1 2 3 1 The Danube connects people in 14 countries. 2 A joint strat egy aims to improve the quality of life … 3 … for roughly 115 03 million people throughout the Foreword region. Introduction by the Mayor of Vienna, 12–15 Michael Häupl Facts and Figures Important information about the 04–05 Centrope region Vienna, the City on the Water From floodplain to modern urban district 16–17 Targets and Strategy 06–07 Sustainable improvements for the Port and Shipping economy, transport, energy and the The Danube connects countries and environment transports passengers and goods. Imprint 18–19 08–09 Action Plan Media proprietor and publisher: City of Vienna, Municipal Department 53 Collaboration Core of the implementation strategy Text, layout: Bohmann Verlag und Druck Various organisations working for greater with 11 Priority Areas Ges. m. b. H. & Co. KG, 1110 Vienna, quality of life in the Danube region Leberstraße 122 20–21 Cover photos: picturedesk.com (2), Priorities municipally owned company “Tourism 10 Services” (1), bratislava.sk (1), Pražská Vienna’s Role From transport to education: projects informacˇní služba (1), Magyar Turizmus Pacesetter for cities, municipalities and for increasing competitive strength Zrt./Photographer: Lajos Kalmár (1), regions Sorin TOMA (1), Helmut Zita (1), A. 22–23 Fevžer/Turizem Ljubljana (1) Printing: Wograndl 11 Service Vienna’s Declaration Information, locations and tips for January 2012 Sharing expertise and cross-border projects the region of Vienna Vienna (1) Austria, of Social Democratic Party picturedesk.com (3), Photos: 02 DRe_02_03_edi_content_en.indd 2 05.03.12 11:21 Foreword “For us, it comes down to the desire for well-functioning cities.” Michael Häupl, Mayor of the City of Vienna he Danube region is currently home vement in the standard of living and quality to roughly 115 million people living of life, better chances of finding a job and a Tin 14 countries. While the 3,000-kilo stronger desire for security to a better way metre river served as a border for a long of coping with day-to-day life with the help time, it is now solely a connecting element of the administration and public authorities that runs through the heart of Europe and as well as the wish for clean water and well that has helped to bring the Danube region regulated sewage and waste management. In with its millions of inhabitants to the focus the end, it simply comes down to the desire of the European Union. for well-functioning cities. The Strategy for the Danube Region adopted In other words, the EU Strategy for the by the EU aims to secure, maintain and Danube Region will only be successful once achieve social equality, prosperity, indivi it leads to positive changes in people’s eve dual prospects for the future and peace in ryday lives. This needs to be the focus of the the region. projects proposed for the coming funding period. The expectations of the people living in vari ous parts of the Danube region diverge depending on the problems they face as well as on the potential available to them. These Photos: picturedesk.com (3), Social Democratic Party of Austria, of Social Democratic Party picturedesk.com (3), Photos: Vienna (1) expectations range from a noticeable impro 03 DRe_02_03_edi_content_en.indd 3 05.03.12 11:21 Vienna, the City on the Water Living with the Danube Vienna’s good strategic location on a major waterway became a source of prosperity over time, but the city’s inhabitants lived at a respectful distance from the river for centuries. Now, the regulation of the river and forward-looking planning have brought the metropolis closer to the water. For hundreds of years, the Danube was tion in 1972–88, when the residents of a wild river landscape spanning a width of Vienna also became deeply involved in the five kilometres, unpredictable and formida process for the first time as part of the large ble. Nevertheless, already in the Middle Ages scale “Opportunities for the Danube Region” it served as an important trade route, and competition. Vienna was economically the most impor tant port and cargo hub in Austria.The city’s Distinctive Skyline on the Water The Danube in the 1950s. excellent strategic location fuelled its rapid Another sign of clever planning near the The wide floodplain was rise, but Vienna’s inhabitants constantly Danube was the construction of the A22 later replaced by the New lived at a respectful distance from the motorway over the river and of Danube City Danube and the 21-kilometre-long Danube Danube. It was not until the large-scale regu (Vienna DC) on the “Donauplatte”, or Danube Island. lation of the river from Kahlenberg to Fischa Platform. A new urban quarter arose here in the 1990s.This office and residential area has the advantage of being close to Danube Park and Danube Island as well as being easy to reach. Two 200-metre high-rise buildings by the French star architect Dominique Perrault will take the spotlight in the Danube City sky line soon. The construction of the Freudenau power plant (1992–98) at the Port of Albern also gave the right riverbank a new look. Greater Quality of Life Life in the city is moving closer and closer to the water. Between Roßauer Lände and Fran zensbrücke, the Danube Canal has blos “The Danube is the most exciting river in Europe. It connects somed into a vibrant leisure area. The trans people who speak eight different languages, spread out over ten formation of the “Canale Grande” started in countries, as well as their landscapes, natural resources and 1996 with summerstage, a cultural and gourmet hot spot. Vienna’s inner-city coast cultures in a fascinating way.” Hubert von Goisern, musician line is now blessed with numerous popular hangouts, including Flex, Strandbar Herr THE DANUBE AS A LIFELINE mend that the situation changed. The arms of mann, Adria Wien, Badeschiff Wien and The Danube stretches the Danube were converted into the straight Motto am Fluss. The Twin City Liner and 2,888 kilometres from its source “Big Danube”, and seven bridges were built. excursion ships cast off from the Wien City to its mouth. As the lifeline running through the heart of Europe, it links On 30 May 1875, this new, 280-metre-wide terminal here as well. Star architects inclu up populations and cultures along channel was opened for ship traffic. ding Hans Hollein, Heinz Neumann and Jean its winding path from West to East. The regulation promised more security Nouvel have turned the section of the river It connects the North Sea (Rotter against flooding and a great deal of new con bank on the Leopoldstadt side into an dam) to the Black Sea via the Rhine Main-Danube Canal, running through struction land for the city. The man-made impressive skyline directly on the Danube ten countries along the way (Ger Danube landscapes now offer attractive lei waterfront. The surrounding metropolises many, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, sure and recreation areas. have also moved a bit closer thanks to the Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria and Ukraine). Danube Island is a prime example of this. It fast ferry connection between Vienna, Bra was created during the final Danube regula tislava and Budapest. Rupert Steiner (1) picturedesk.com (1), Photos: 04 DRe_04_05_ViennaDanube_Waterfront_en.indd 4 05.03.12 11:22 Aspern. This created an urban Rivergate. This development axis between the office complex at Handelskai in the Danube and Prater – along which Brigittenau dis there is now VIERTEL ZWEI, trict is a symbol Vienna’s new exhibition centre of the waterfront. and the Stadion Center, which is an important location for local shopping. The Vienna University of Economics and Business is still under construction here. In addi tion, Marina City, which contains premium offices, was built at the new Donaustadtbrücke, where the U2 crosses the Danube. The aim of all this urban development is to Living, Working and Relaxation: The River Offers Top Quality of Life Vienna is following the international trend and is moving ever closer to the water. Viertel Zwei, Rivergate and Marina Wien represent new urban centres, and they are helping to spur on the revitalisation of the right bank of the Danube. The Waterfront Has Potential jects in the “hinterland” at the further improve the quality of life More and more parts of Vienna Vienna North railway station and on the waterfront. are becoming extremely attrac near Prater. tive locations with a perfect con Role Models in the East nection to the water. The obvious Successful Revitalisation Other cities on the Danube, such examples of this are Millennium Several outstanding architectural as Budapest, Bratislava and Bel- City, Marina Wien, Rivergate and projects have already been com grade, show just how exciting it is the residential complexes Woh pleted here, including Bike City, to live and work directly on the nen am Fluss and Wohnhafen at Wohnen am Park and VIERTEL water. Although additional dis Handelskai. They all help to liven ZWEI. One factor driving the brisk tinctive landmarks are not plan up the right bank of the Danube, pace of construction activity here ned in Vienna, the aim is to turn which was virtually inaccessible was certainly the extension of the the skyline – designed by interna for around 100 years as a result of U2 metro line in the direction of tional architects – into an unmis the barriers created by Handels takeable feature of the city.