261
The current Climate Protection Programme of the City of Vienna (KliP II)
encourages strong consideration of the UHI effect in tools of spatial planning,
nature conservation plans, as well as informal tools. The “Climate Protection
Programme of the City of Vienna (Klip II) – update 2010–2020” adopted by the
Vienna City Council has coined as its key goal the reduction of greenhouse gases
and proposes measures to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change. It
contains a separate fi eld of action dedicated to “mobility and urban structure”.
Again the focus is primarily on reducing energy consumption. The set of measures,
however, clearly addresses urban planning measures that are to help reduce the UHI
effect. Objectives for the fi eld of action “urban structure and quality of life” include
“pursuing integrated sets of measures to raise the quality of life in built-up urban
areas (greening street space, courtyards and roofs, reducing soil sealing, upgrading
green and open space,…)” (Vienna City Administration 2009 , 93). Specifi c measures are “green paths, multiple use, activating green and open spaces already dedicated, roof greening, neighbourhood gardens and succession gardens” (Vienna City
Administration 2009, 100). Regional cooperation must ensure “green and open
space for the long term, linking green space (regionally) and strengthening awareness for agricultural products from the city region (Vienna City Administration
2009, 105et seq.). KliP II also for the fi rst time stimulates Vienna’s measures to
adapt to global climate change.
The Urban Development Plan 2025 (STEP 2025 ) in particular broaches the
issues of urban climate and climate protection. Its aim is to make “climate protection and adaptation to climate change integral elements of planning, implementation and further development of city quarters and open spaces”(STEP 2025 , 85).
This involves, amongst others, creating open and green spaces that can contribute
towards reducing the UHI effect. Specifi c measures include the greening of roofs
and facades, as well as planting trees and avenues (STEP 2025 ). The chapter on
open spaces in STEP 2025 has a separate focus on “adaptation to climate change”.
Green and open spaces in this context are granted a major role in adapting to climate
change while special emphasis is placed on their positive infl uence on the urban
climate. A network of open space is to improve the microclimate in individual city
quarters. The initiative “urban green instead of air conditioning” wants to identify
the areas concerned and reduce UHI.
The Vienna Nature Conservation Act wants to protect and “take care of nature
in all its forms across the city and to ensure urban ecology functions” (Nature
Conservation Act §1). Protection of green and natural areas includes urban climate
aspects considering that climate is part of the landscape balance (section 3, para. 2).
“All measures must be planned and implemented in such a way as not to endanger
or seriously impair 1. the balance of the landscape, 2. its structure or 3. its recreational
effect on human beings” Vienna Nature Conservation Act §4 para 2). Site protection
as provided for in the Nature Conservation Act essentially ensures that green spaces
and their role for the climate in Vienna are maintained for the long term.
The Building Regulations for Vienna (Vienna Urban Development, Urban
Planning and Building Code) set out the principles of urban planning, land use and
construction engineering. The fi rst part lists the objectives for determining or
9 Pilot Action City of Vienna – UHI-STRAT Vienna
The current Climate Protection Programme of the City of Vienna (KliP II)
encourages strong consideration of the UHI effect in tools of spatial planning,
nature conservation plans, as well as informal tools. The “Climate Protection
Programme of the City of Vienna (Klip II) – update 2010–2020” adopted by the
Vienna City Council has coined as its key goal the reduction of greenhouse gases
and proposes measures to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change. It
contains a separate fi eld of action dedicated to “mobility and urban structure”.
Again the focus is primarily on reducing energy consumption. The set of measures,
however, clearly addresses urban planning measures that are to help reduce the UHI
effect. Objectives for the fi eld of action “urban structure and quality of life” include
“pursuing integrated sets of measures to raise the quality of life in built-up urban
areas (greening street space, courtyards and roofs, reducing soil sealing, upgrading
green and open space,…)” (Vienna City Administration 2009 , 93). Specifi c measures are “green paths, multiple use, activating green and open spaces already dedicated, roof greening, neighbourhood gardens and succession gardens” (Vienna City
Administration 2009, 100). Regional cooperation must ensure “green and open
space for the long term, linking green space (regionally) and strengthening awareness for agricultural products from the city region (Vienna City Administration
2009, 105et seq.). KliP II also for the fi rst time stimulates Vienna’s measures to
adapt to global climate change.
The Urban Development Plan 2025 (STEP 2025 ) in particular broaches the
issues of urban climate and climate protection. Its aim is to make “climate protection and adaptation to climate change integral elements of planning, implementation and further development of city quarters and open spaces”(STEP 2025 , 85).
This involves, amongst others, creating open and green spaces that can contribute
towards reducing the UHI effect. Specifi c measures include the greening of roofs
and facades, as well as planting trees and avenues (STEP 2025 ). The chapter on
open spaces in STEP 2025 has a separate focus on “adaptation to climate change”.
Green and open spaces in this context are granted a major role in adapting to climate
change while special emphasis is placed on their positive infl uence on the urban
climate. A network of open space is to improve the microclimate in individual city
quarters. The initiative “urban green instead of air conditioning” wants to identify
the areas concerned and reduce UHI.
The Vienna Nature Conservation Act wants to protect and “take care of nature
in all its forms across the city and to ensure urban ecology functions” (Nature
Conservation Act §1). Protection of green and natural areas includes urban climate
aspects considering that climate is part of the landscape balance (section 3, para. 2).
“All measures must be planned and implemented in such a way as not to endanger
or seriously impair 1. the balance of the landscape, 2. its structure or 3. its recreational
effect on human beings” Vienna Nature Conservation Act §4 para 2). Site protection
as provided for in the Nature Conservation Act essentially ensures that green spaces
and their role for the climate in Vienna are maintained for the long term.
The Building Regulations for Vienna (Vienna Urban Development, Urban
Planning and Building Code) set out the principles of urban planning, land use and
construction engineering. The fi rst part lists the objectives for determining or
9 Pilot Action City of Vienna – UHI-STRAT Vienna