The Vienna International Lab Kicks Off

September 13, 2024

With the arrival of Dear Hunter: Marlies Vermeulen and Remy Kroese in Vienna, the next chapter of the Turning the Tide project begins in the Austrian capital. 

Turning the Tide is an international project with six partners that explores the influence of art and culture on environmental protection. As part of this project, Dear Hunter focuses on urban areas like Seestadt Aspern in Vienna, using their innovative mapping methods to create detailed visual representations of these spaces. Their work highlights the connections between people and the spaces they inhabit, providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between urban environments and their inhabitants. 

Bernd Herger, project manager of Turning the Tide for the Wiener Bildungsakademie, emphasises the importance of combating climate change and engaging the broader public: “It is crucial that we all recognise the threat of climate change and take active steps to combat it. We must not only inform people about the current environmental changes but also inspire them to get involved. Art and culture play a key role in raising awareness and encouraging society to engage with these pressing issues. Through creative projects like Turning the Tide, we can make complex environmental problems more understandable and reach a wider audience.” 

A key focus of the project is the protection of water resources. Therefore, the first Vienna visit was to Wiener Wasser and Astrid Rompolt at the Wasserturm Favoriten. Together, they explored the journey of Vienna’s water from the foothills of the Alps to the city. Vienna sources approximately 95% of its drinking water from high spring water pipelines, in operation since 1873. This water requires no treatment and contributes significantly to the city’s high quality of life. The Viennese water pipelines are engineering marvels, supplying fresh spring water daily to the population. 

A brief visit to the Vienna Education Center, together with the Wiener Bildungsakademie and Director Cappar Hajo, followed. The Wiener Bildungsakademie is actively involved in promoting civic engagement and educational projects focused on sustainability and social change. 

The first week concluded with an extensive tour of Seestadt Aspern, one of the largest urban development areas in Europe and the centre of the International Lab in Vienna. Seestadt is a prime example of sustainable urban planning, offering a living environment that balances ecological and social considerations. Along with Gunther Laher, Program Manager for the City of Vienna responsible for urban development areas like Seestadt, and Gabriele Plank, District Councilor for Donaustadt, the key features of Seestadt were explored during a multi-hour tour. Plank highlights the role of art in urban development: “Seestadt is not just a place to live; it’s a testing ground for innovative environmental strategies. Art plays a crucial role in making these strategies tangible and giving residents a new perspective on their environment.” 

The Sponge City Principle applied in Seestadt was particularly impressive. This principle allows rainwater to infiltrate the ground locally instead of being channelled into the sewage system, reducing flood risks and improving the urban microclimate by providing moisture that cools the area during hot days. 

Seestadt Aspern is a model for sustainable urban development. With a planned population of 20,000 residents and just as many jobs upon completion, Seestadt emphasises eco-friendly mobility, energy-efficient construction, and green infrastructure. It is not only a flagship project for modern city planning but also a place where culture and creativity play a vital role. 

Individuals interested in the project can submit their own contributions on environmental protection and urban development topics on Dear Hunter’s website

Further information: 

– About Turning the Tide

– About Dear Hunter

– About Wiener Bildungsakademie

 

*Read this post in German.

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