The objective of the project “Urban Cool Down“ is to define new ways, how a comprehensive cooling can be achieved and how an overheating of urban places can be countered. In two case studies the town Wolkersdorf in Lower Austria and the 18th district of Vienna are to prove the cooling effect by landscape planning and open space planning measures in the combination with innovative cooling technology.
The present project „Smart Pölten“ is based on the preceding study „Smart&GreenLivingLab“ (FFG project 855516) and focuses consequently on creating social innovations with a broad «social impact». The necessary grounds for this intention are laid by specific elements of a traditional as well as innovative planning for green and open spaces. These elements will be implemented on several locations as so-called “stepping stones” on the basis of an empowerment-based participative planning process with the citizens of St. Pölten.
Currently, criteria for open space planning in regard to supported high-volume residential buildings is just partly embedded in Lower Austria: A concept for open spaces within the advisory committee for design and the section process for architecture and planning is requested. Also, criteria for green roofs and gardens are fed into the housing subsidy.
Approaches for semi-public or public green spaces were developed within “nature in the garden”: Communities, nursery schools, schools, institutions with therapy gardens and initiatives which aim to implement community gardens have been consulted.
The present project connects high-volume residential buildings with content of „nature in the garden“.