Model for success?

Vienna is now to get more super neighborhoods

Austria's first super neighborhood started in Favoriten.(Bild: MA18/Christian Fürthner)

The city's streetscapes are to be transformed. More greenery and less traffic is the city's motto. Vienna is therefore getting even more super neighborhoods, as announced by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ). The streets are to become urban living rooms. But where could the new traffic concept be implemented? And how does the pilot project in Favoriten work? 

It was a barely noticed subordinate clause from Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) during a question and answer session in the municipal council, but it was a big one. "More space for sidewalks, safe cycle paths, trees and recreational areas" are planned, Ludwig said in his speech. The existing super district in the densely built-up area of Favoriten is a "successful model" for Ludwig.

But what exactly is a Supergrätzel? The core of the transformation to a super district is the complete elimination of through traffic. For example, so-called diagonal filters are used to divert traffic at junctions in the Supergrätzel back onto the main roads. However, access is still possible, it is emphasized.