Vienna, a "green city"
The Austrian capital is literally green. It is home to urban farms, 700 hectares of vineyards, a national park along the Danube, more than 1,600 hectares of gardens and parks, all of which preserve an amazing biodiversity. You will also find free bathing places in the middle of nature, accessible by public transport or by bike. Several walking routes will take you on a country walk through the vineyards.
Donau-Auen National Park: partly located in the city of Vienna, it protects the ecosystems of the Danube valley and in particular the Lobau. The "Viennese jungle" or marshy plain is home to an exceptional biodiversity, including some threatened species. The environments are very varied: swamps, dry hillsides, reed beds, and dead-end arms. Walking and cycling routes allow you to discover this natural area, which was also the site of Napoleonic battles in 1809.
Danube Island at the second longest river in Europe is an island 21 kilometers long, a stopover for many migratory birds. There are 180 hectares of forests, vast lawns, two beaches for swimming and leisure facilities.
Old Danube (The Alte Donau: a former branch of the Danube, resulting from work to prevent the risk of flooding, this area is one of the most popular places in Vienna for swimming, water sports and relaxation by the water. It is surrounded by gardens and is accessible by a very pleasant bike ride.
Augarten the park is the oldest baroque garden in the capital, with large flower beds and planted paths. The park has a rich history. Mozart conducted the first concert there.
Botanical garden: adjacent to the Belvedere Park, this is an extremely charming place for botanical studies and quietness. From March to the end of August, you can discover the remarkable Alpine garden next door.
The Vienna Prater, the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, the park of the Belvedere Palace and the Central Cemetery, which, in addition to the last resting place of famous musicians, is home to a variety of wildlife, are also worth a visit.
A city that promotes soft mobility
Gentle mobility promotes air quality and the health of people and the planet. In 2017, a court ruling on the grounds of climate protection put an end to the construction of a third runway at Vienna-Schwechat airport. The Austrian capital is easily accessible by train and/or bicycle. A connection opened in June 2020 provides a twice-weekly night train service between Brussels and Vienna. Vienna is the EU city with the most night trains. This strategy is based in particular on the Austrian railway company's acquisition of the German night train subsidiary. The ambition is to further extend the network, which currently has 27 lines. Once you reach your destination, 1,400 km of dedicated cycle paths and tracks will allow you to discover the city from both sides. Vienna has a system of self-service bicycles (citybikes). You will also find bike rentals with electric bikes, and in the city there are free charging stations for batteries. The city can also be discovered on foot or via its highly efficient public transport system. You should also know that the city has encouraged low or non-emission cars: hybrid cars, or "green taxis" that you can order directly. There are also night rollerblade rides, which is another rather friendly way to discover the city (Fridau Nightskating). In June 2020, the Minister of the Environment presented an ambitious ecological transition plan. Among the measures proposed was a flat rate of €3 per day for unlimited use of all public transport in the country.
Exemplary water and waste management
After a breath of fresh air, taste the city's water, directly from the Alpine mountains. You can quench your thirst in one of the 900 public fountains in the capital. Vienna also has a very good sewage system, which contributes to the health of its rivers and lakes. Pesticides are also banned in the city. The country introduced waste collection at a relatively early stage, and it is now well established in the country's mentalities. It is currently estimated that 59% of waste is recycled, one of the highest rates among European cities.
Vienna and climate change
Austria has set itself the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Vehicle and truck traffic is a central issue in the fight against the country's greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the mobility-related actions mentioned above, Vienna has implemented measures to restrict the use of fossil fuel boilers in new housing to 20%, and to promote district heating (heating network) and renewable energy. In the new district of Seestadt Aspern, the city is home to an eight-story all-wood building, the Hoho, the first building of its kind in the world. In addition, the Wohnprojekt building, built in 2014, remains an example of participatory housing.
For a responsible consumption
We know that the best waste is the waste we don't produce. If the environmental logic leads inexorably to less consumption, you will however find eco-friendly signs in Vienna to dress up or to eat. Many restaurants offer organic and/or vegan food. You can also find shops offering "sustainable" ready-to-wear. These include clothes and accessories guaranteed to be plastic-free, clothes made from local and fair trade products, with organic or recycled materials. You can also find "ecofriendly" clothes for your darling blond heads, stamped with the Viennese Pagabei label.
