Urban green space

Climate change, social conflicts and increasing demands on the quality of life motivate cities to look for integrated, nature-based solutions. Green space plays a key role in this. We understand vegetation, unsealed soil, and water surfaces in the city as the framework for a healthy, resilient and socially balanced urban space.
We think of urban development in terms of green space. Interlinked parks, avenues, meadows, green roofs, parklets, community gardens, raised beds, green facades, farmland, and other elements of "green infrastructure" provide habitats for biodiversity and fulfil several different functions for people. They cool the city, reduce stress, noise, and air pollution, promote social relationships and active mobility. They sequester carbon from the air and produce food.
We analyse the social functions and vegetation of urban green spaces, organise the participatory development of green infrastructure, model future scenarios and evaluate ecosystem services together with citizens and various stakeholders.

Contact person:
Mag. Dr. Andreas Exner (coordination)

Relevant publications:

• Hohmann, Bernhard; Höflehner, Thomas; Jany, Andrea (2020): Dachgärten im Geschosswohnbau. In: s u b \ u r b a n . zeitschrift für kritische stadtforschung, Band 8, Heft 1/2, S. 9-15.
• Exner, Andreas; Schützenberger, Isabelle: Creative Natures. Community gardening, social class and city development in Vienna. In: Geoforum. 92. 2018. 181-195. doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2018.04.011
• Kumnig, Sarah; Rosol, Marit; Exner, Andreas (Hg.):Umkämpftes Grün. Zwischen neoliberaler Stadtentwicklung und Stadtgestaltung von unten. Bielefeld. Transcript. 2017.
• Exner, Andreas; Kumnig, Sarah; Krobath, Peter A.; Schuetzenberger, Isabelle; Brand, Ulrich: Stadtentwicklung, urbane Landwirtschaft und zivilgesellschaftlich gestalteter Grünraum in Wien. In: Fritz, Judith; Tomaschek, Nino (Hg.): Gesellschaft im Wandel. Gesellschaftliche, wirtschaftliche und ökologische Perspektiven. Münster. Waxmann. 2016. 247-258.
• ​​​​​​​Exner, Andreas; Schützenberger, Isabelle: Gemeinschaftsgärten als räumlicher Ausdruck von Organisationskulturen. Erkundungen am Beispiel Wien.In: sub/urban. 3,3. 2015. 51-74