Leopold Rister park

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Vienna (FUA)

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

Leopold-Rister-Park

Short description of the intervention

The Leopold-Rister park, named after a former district officer, is located in the Margareten district in Vienna and was renovated in 2023 based on the community's wishes for recreational opportunities. The park is surrounded by residential buildings and featured a playground for children, some greens and a football pitch. (Ref. 1) On the initiative of the city government, local residents and people using the park were surveyed on their preferences and needs for a potential redesign of the park. (Ref. 8) Within a year, the park was remodelled, featuring the wished for elements by locals, and was opened in 2024.
Spaces for recreation like playgrounds, benches, and gaming tables were increased or installed. To reduce the heat stress of the urban environment, trees were planted that provide shadow and water play for children to cool down were implemented. Already existing lawns and greens were restored, and new shrubs were added to provide habitats for different local insect and bird species. (Ref. 1; Ref. 6)
The project was initiated and financed by the City of Vienna and presents one of many greening activities that the city pursues to adapt to climate change. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)

Website of the intervention

https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/rister.html

Principal problems

Climate-Related Hazards

Heat stress & Extreme temperatures

Environmental Degradation

Biodiversity loss

Health, Well-being and Social cohesion

Inadequate access to recreational opportunities

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental)

Ecosystem

Urban or built environment

Address

Kohlgasse
1050 Wien
Austria

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

https://www.la21wien.at/blog-detail-la21/so-wird-der-neue-leopold-rister-park-ihre-meinung-ist-gefragt.html

Total area

4700.00m²

NBS area

4700.00m²

Area description

Urban (main city)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Public Greenspace Area

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2021

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2023

End date of the intervention

2024

Present stage of the intervention

Completed

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

To renovate existing urban park space (Ref. 1; Ref. 6).
To reduce the urban heat island effect through increased plant coverage (Ref. 1).
To create habitats for local wildlife (Ref. 1).
To improve the quality of life in the neighborhood by offering opportunities for recreation, interaction and access to public green spaces (Ref. 4).
To redesign the park to reflect the community's wishes (Ref. 1; Ref. 8).
To provide opportunities for physical exercise for all age groups (Ref. 1; Ref. 4; Ref. 5).

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)

Climate change adaptation

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)

Inclusive governance

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Social interaction

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect

What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Ecosystem-focused

What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

The redesign of the Leopold-Rister park is based on a public participation process. In 2021, 115 people were surveyed and interviewed (Ref. 1; Ref. 7; Ref. 8). Specifically, new fitness equipment and more playground equipment were requested. In April 2022, people could provide feedback on various design options and the final design was presented in September (Ref. 8). The park was officially opened in February 2024. (Ref. 4)
Overall, 16 trees were planted to provide shadow and colourful beds of perennials and grasses were implemented over a total area of 225 square metres. These are intended to increase biodiversity and serve as a source of food and shelter for sparrows and insects in particular. Existing lawns were restored and 130 square metres of new lawns were laid. Shrubs were pruned and gaps were closed. All green areas were equipped with an automatic irrigation system. The space of the playground was increased and the football and streetball pitch was unsealed and covered with artificial turf. Next to playgrounds for children, fitness stations for strength and mobility training were constructed for adults and elderly people as an opportunity for exercise. To provide opportunities for relaxation and cooling, several bench-table combinations with installed board game set ups, water plays and a drinking station were implemented in the park. (Ref. 1)

Type of NBS project

Maintenance and management of urban nature

Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks)

Ecological restoration of ecosystems

Ecological restoration of existing green spaces

Improved governance of green or blue areas

Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Parks and urban forests

Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Playgrounds

Sports areas and equipment

Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)

Other

Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS

Water play (Ref. 1)
Tables with integrated game fields for Chess and Nine Men's Morris (Ref. 1)

Design elements for well-being

None of the above

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Mental and physical health and wellbeing

Social and community interactions

Scale

Spatial scale

Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

The project is implemented in the 5th district of Vienna - Margareten. In 2023, approx. 29.000 people with Austrian citizenship, 10.300 people with EU citizenship and 15.700 people from non-EU countries lived in the district. The average age is 40,9 years old (2023), and around 36% of the residents have a university degree, and 16% completed an apprenticeship (2021). 106 people are unemployed (2022). The average income is 23.000€ (2021). (Ref. 3)

Socio-economic profile of the area

Unknown

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Unknown

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Young people and children

Other

Please specify "other primary beneficiary"

Elderly people

Specify primary beneficiaries

The remodelling of the park benefits primarily citizens and residents living close by. "Those who use the park are at the centre of the redesign: Children, young people, families and older people." (Ref. 7) Elderly people were considered in their wishes to redesign the park as opportunities for physical exercise were implemented (Ref. 5). Next to playgrounds, a round pathway throughout the park was implemented to allow children to cruise around on bikes and scooters safely (Ref. 1).

Marginalized groups

Unknown

Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups

Wishes of elderly people were recognized in the remodelling of the park. (Ref. 5)

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Government-led

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The city of Vienna financed the project (Ref. 1). The City department Vienna City Gardens (MA 42) was the official client of the construction, whereby the park was designed by the landscape architecture company korbwurf landschaftsarchitektur and implemented by the company Ing. Rudolf Richter GmbH (Ref. 6).
The district organisation Agenda Margareten (initiated by the City of Vienna) interviewed citizens about design preferences, which were included in remodelling the park (Ref. 5; Ref. 7).

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

District/neighbourhood association

Citizens or community group

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

Other

Please specify other stage

Feedback during decision-making on design ideas (Ref. 8)

Level of citizen and community engagement

Moderate

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Unknown

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Voluntary (spontaneous)

Please specify other type of voluntary intervention

Voluntary city redevelopment (Ref. 1, 6)

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships)

Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.

The redesign was funded by the City of Vienna's ‘Liveable Climate Model City’ programme. By 2025, 20 million euros per year will be available for district projects in the fight against climate change and its consequences. The funding programme will support conversion measures that positively change the microclimate and improve the quality of life. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
The project was implemented through a partnership between the municipality and a private company.

Governace and decison-making instruments

Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES))

Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP))

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Unknown

Barriers

Unkown

Financing

Total cost

€500,000 - €2,000,000

Please specify total cost (EUR)

1,323,260 € construction costs (Ref. 6)

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

1,323,260 € (Ref. 6)

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land

Provision of expertise

Co-finance for NBS

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Business models

Risk reduction model

Green densification model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Lowered local temperature

Achieved lowered local temperature

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Achieved increased green space area

Increased number of species present

Achieved increased number of species present

Description of environmental benefits

Lowered local temperature: "The Leopold-Rister-Park has been transformed into a place where the quality of life is even better, especially on hot summer days, thanks to new shady trees, plants and water features" (Ref. 5)
--Achieved increased green space area: "In the entrance areas and in the middle of the park, colorful perennial and grass beds were planted on a total area of 225 square meters. These are intended to strengthen biodiversity and serve as a source of food or shelter, especially for sparrows and insects.
130 square meters of lawn were newly laid and existing lawns renovated. Shrubs were trimmed and gaps were closed. All green areas were given an automatic irrigation system." (Ref. 1)
--Achieved increased number of species present: "During the redesign, 16 new trees were planted and equipped with individual tree irrigation." (Ref. 1)

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced

16 trees planted (Ref. 1)

Economic impacts

Unknown

Description of economic benefits

Unknown

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unkown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives

Clear communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback, raise concerns, and ask questions about the project

Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets

Justice

Community satisfaction

Unknown

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

Unknown

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

No initiatives or policies were implemented

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Yes

Goal setting and impacts delivery

Yes, from the planning phase the project aimed to address issues in these three key priority areas and it also delivered benefits across these three areas.

Reaching original project goals

Most of the project goals were achieved

Please specify the achievements of the project goals

Climate action:
Lowered local temperature: "The Leopold-Rister-Park has been transformed into a place where the quality of life is even better, especially on hot summer days, thanks to new shady trees, plants and water features" (Ref. 5)
--Achieved increased green space area: "In the entrance areas and in the middle of the park, colorful perennial and grass beds were planted on a total area of 225 square meters. These are intended to strengthen biodiversity and serve as a source of food or shelter, especially for sparrows and insects.
130 square meters of lawn were newly laid and existing lawns renovated. Shrubs were trimmed and gaps were closed. All green areas were given an automatic irrigation system." (Ref. 1)
--Achieved increased number of species present: "During the redesign, 16 new trees were planted and equipped with individual tree irrigation." (Ref. 1)
Social justice and community:
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "We have turned the park into a modern leisure oasis in the centre of the city - with water elements, great new play options, numerous trees, quiet zones and much more." (Ref. 5); "To fulfil the wishes of older park visitors, there are 4 fitness machines for training leg, abdominal, arm and back muscles a little away from the action." (Ref. 5)

Long-term perspective

Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability.

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)

Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)

Magnitude of change

Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation

Application of lessons learned

Unknown

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

City of Vienna (n.d.). Leopold-Rister-Park. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

City of Vienna (n.d.). "Lebenswerte Klimamusterstadt" bringt 100 Millionen Euro für die Bezirke. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

City of Vienna (n.d.). Margareten in Zahlen. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

City of Vienna (n.d.). Leopold-Rister-Park eröffnet. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Press service: town hall correspondence (2024). Czernohorszky/Jankovic: Eröffnung des neugestalteten Leopold-Rister-Parks. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Winterthaler, T. (2024). Neuer Leopold-Rister-Park wird im Februar eröffnet. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Schuster, B. (2021). Der Hochhauspark bekommt ein Update. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Agenda Margareten (2022). So wird der Leopold-Rister-Park umgestaltet. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Lokale Agenda 21 Wien (n.d.). Der Hochhauspark wird umgestaltet. Accessed on September 9, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comments and notes

Public Images

Trees and bench-table areas were added to the park

The Leopold Rister park with newly planted trees and implemented table-bench constructions

BV 5

Newly implemented playground and unsealed football pitch

The increased playground area for children

Stadt Wien/Martin Votava

Leopold-Rister-Gasse park

https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/rister.html

Leopold-Rister-Gasse park

https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/rister.html

Leopold-Rister-Gasse park

https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/rister.html