9 trees, plant beds and a cooling water feature with 52 floor nozzles – redesign in line with monument protection brings greenery, meeting zones and barrier-free surfaces
Vienna (OTS) – Steeped in history and soon fit for the future! Michaelerplatz in the center of Vienna’s old town will now become an urban oasis of well-being for everyone. With a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, planning councilor Ulli Sima and district manager Markus Figl marked the start of the design work that is now underway. The circular square, surrounded by the Hofburg, Michaelerkirche and Looshaus, will soon invite you to linger in a historically significant environment with 9 trees specially tailored to the location, unsealed with grass beds, more traffic calming and a cooling water feature. The careful redesign and preservation of the historical character complement each other and create a new feel-good place as a calling card for the city of Vienna. The requirements of monument protection had to be met with a particularly high level of sensitivity; the city’s departments were in close contact with the Federal Monuments Office. The work should be completed by the end of the year.
“I am pleased that we can now start the comprehensive upgrade of this place. We succeed in combining the preservation of the historical character and respect for monument protection with a sensitive, unsealing redesign for the future. 9 trees specially selected for the location, more space for pedestrians and a cooling water feature not only promise a better microclimate, but also a completely new form of quality of stay on site,” says planning councilor Ulli Sima.
District head MMag. Markus Figl: “The new paving on Michaelerplatz will significantly improve the barrier-free use of the square. Whether with a wheelchair, a stroller or a bicycle – there will be a renovated surface instead of the bumpy surface for everyone. People’s wishes for more greenery, increased quality of stay, the preservation of the historic cityscape and the keeping of historical sightlines clear were also addressed.
Careful choice of trees maintains historical character
In order to reflect the significant character of the square, particular attention was paid to the appropriate selection of trees. Bluebell trees were chosen for the middle of the square, which fit well into the impressive surroundings and promise to be a charming, climate-friendly addition. For the area near the church, the choice fell on 3 elms; on the Schauflergasse side, 3 delicate columnar elms will adorn the overall picture. At these two locations, too, the choice of trees was made with particular consideration of the location.
Green oasis of well-being with ancient insights
The excavations from past centuries, which lie beneath the square and part of which can be seen from above, represent a particular challenge for the renovation work. To ensure that the remains dating back to antiquity remain undamaged, a special structure is being built for the new group of bluebell trees in the middle of Michaelerplatz. The green area is also increased by two large plant beds along the St. Michael’s wing of the Hofburg. In front of the Looshaus there is a large water feature with over 50 floor nozzles, and five drinking hydrants serve as thirst quenchers.
Close cooperation with the Federal Monuments Office
In order to meet the high requirements of monument protection, there was an intensive exchange before construction work with the responsible departments in the Federal Monuments Office, the State Conservatory for Vienna, the Department of Archeology and the Department of Special Materials, for example with regard to the one designed by the Austrian architect Hans Hollein visible excavations and the listed cast candelabra. Special consideration had to be given to maintaining the design of the square with its high-quality details and surfaces.
“The listed design of Michaelerplatz Architect Hans Hollein was founded in 1992 as a political initiative from the then mayor Helmut Zilk to make Vienna’s city center more attractive and revitalizing,” says Wolfgang Salcher, State curator for Vienna and explains: “The creation of a high-quality urban space continues this idea and is in line with the goal of the ongoing, sustainable use of monuments. From the perspective of monument preservation, it is essential to preserve the high-quality square design by Hans Hollein and the particularly important urban planning line of sight from the Kohlmarkt to the Michaelerkuppel of the Hofburg.”
The archaeological excavations in the center of the square continue and are also being restored. Free areas within the excavations will be provided with greenery and the lighting will be renewed.
“Through a considerate addition to the spatial quality of the square through the placement of trees and new room divisions, a harmonious identity of old and new is created, which contributes to a climate-friendly city,” emphasizes architect Paul Katzberger, who was involved in the design of the square.
More space for pedestrians, barrier-free surface
The main aim of the renovation work is to make the square more attractive for pedestrians: The existing pedestrian zone will be expanded from the Kohlmarkt side across the middle of the square to Reitschulgasse. Thanks to light-colored natural stone paving, which enhances the appearance of the square and allows rainwater to seep away, the bumpy pavement will be a thing of the past in the future.
In the future, numerous seating areas will invite you to linger and relax in an impressive ambience. The redesign creates a barrier-free surface, which is supplemented with a tactile guidance system for blind and visually impaired people.
“As a direct neighbor, I am of course very pleased about this upgrade of the square – church visitors will be able to use the square barrier-free in the future, which is of great importance for wheelchair users or people with strollers,” said Father Erhard Rauch, who as pastor of St. Michael’s Church with the is very familiar with the various usage requirements of the space.
The remaining area becomes a meeting zone. Motorized traffic is directed through a one-way system from Herrengasse to Reitschulgasse. Cyclists and taxis are exempt from the one-way rule; the existing taxi stand in Reitschulgasse will remain intact. Cycling against the one-way route is still possible in Schauflergasse, Herrengasse and Reitschulgasse.
Some of the horse-drawn carriage parking spaces will be moved to the adjacent Schauflergasse to create even more space for a pleasant stay. Four horse-drawn carriage stands remain at Michaelerplatz, divided into two bays. Granite trough stones and an appropriate arrangement of the inlet shafts ensure that the wastewater is drained away efficiently and thus unpleasant smells can be prevented.
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Questions & Contact:
Can Guven
Media spokesman StRin Ulli Sima
0676811881350
Can-paul.gueven@wien.gv.at
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