Vienna's First Supergrätzl Transforms a Neighborhood with Green Spaces and Car-Free Zones
Vienna’s first Supergrätzl has officially opened in the Inner Favoriten neighbourhood after two and a half years of construction. The €7.88 million project has turned over 7,000 square meters of pavement into green spaces, prioritising residents and cyclists over through traffic. Inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, the scheme aims to create a cooler, greener, and more liveable area.
The densely populated Inner Favoriten was selected for its heat island conditions, lower-than-average incomes, and limited living space per person. Through traffic has been completely blocked using ‘diagonal filters’ at intersections, while repurposed waste bins and concrete rings now act as planters and barriers.
New one-way streets have been introduced, but pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services, and waste collection remain unrestricted. Around Herzgasse Middle School, a car-free forecourt now features two small streams and earthy red brick paving instead of asphalt. The area is lush with greenery, and water features help cool the surroundings through evaporation. The redesign includes 66 new trees, community garden beds, and misting nozzles for hot days. Eleven small gathering spaces have been added at intersections, each with sheltered seating and benches. A water play area offers a place for children to cool off during summer months.
The completed Supergrätzl transforms a previously traffic-heavy area into a pedestrian-friendly zone with improved green spaces. Residents now have access to shaded seating, water features, and community gardens, all designed to combat urban heat and enhance quality of life. The project sets a precedent for future developments in Vienna’s efforts to create more sustainable neighbourhoods.
