Vienna has begun transforming its largest urban heat island. In line with the motto “Out of the Asphalt,” a 12,000-square-meter parking lot between the Wienzeilen will become an attractive space with extensive greenery and cooling features.
As requested by many residents, a generous green oasis will be developed in the city center, to be called “Naschpark.” The popular flea market will remain and will be converted into an attractive multifunctional area in the second phase of the project.
On the land east of Kettenbrückengasse, the Naschmarkt will receive a new “market area,” creating an inviting entrance with a wide selection of regional and seasonal products. A blooming, walkable rooftop garden will be a special highlight in this section. The farmers’ market will also be integrated into the redesign, enhanced with new trees and additional greenery. In total, over 90 new trees will be planted throughout the project area. Importantly, the farmers’ market will remain open during the construction period.
Project Timeline: Park and Market Area Completed by 2025
Due to the scale of the project and the need to keep the farmers’ and flea markets running during construction, the transformation will occur in several phases.
The City of Vienna will start construction on the park in October 2024. Beforehand, the Wiener Linien will seal the joints of the subway below. Construction of the new market area will begin at the same time. The park and market area are expected to be completed by fall 2025.
The flea market area will then be redesigned, including an upgrade of the Landparteienplatz and its surroundings. The overall project is set for completion by the end of 2027.
Biggest Challenge: A Park on a 100-Year-Old Roof
The creation of this green space presents a special challenge, as it is located directly above the Wienfluss vault and the subway, built around the turn of the century.
The surface is only 70 centimeters thick in some places, meaning every tree location must be carefully evaluated, and tree species must be selected with great care. Large trees can only be planted along the edges, while smaller trees, shrubs, and colorful grass beds will be placed in the middle to create a high volume of greenery. Eighteen large-crowned XXL trees, already over 25 years old, will be moved multiple times before being planted to ensure they survive the transplanting process.
Due to the complex structural and physical conditions, extensive underground measures are required. To protect the vault, a second waterproof layer will be applied across the entire area, ensuring the structural conditions necessary to replace the asphalt with a light, heat-reflective pavement.
Turning Residents’ Wishes into Reality
The transformation of the area follows an intensive planning process, which included significant community involvement and produced clear results. Residents requested a green, consumption-free space to relax, areas for creative activities, regional products, and the preservation of the flea market—all of which will be implemented in the project.
The project began in 2021, driven by the broad involvement of residents and experts. Based on this input, an EU-wide ideas competition was launched. The nine winners worked collaboratively to create a master plan for the large heat island.
This master plan then served as the basis for the implementation competition, which resulted in the selection of architecture firm Mostlikely and DnD Landscape Planning as winners in fall 2023. Construction began in 2024 on this promising climate-resilient transformation, which will be completed by the end of 2027, including revitalizing the flea market area.