Design Studio Linear Circularity

The south of Vienna is defined by heterogenous urban settlement patterns and large industrial and commercial areas, which are located along superior radial structures like arterial roads, railways and others. Key infrastructures such as the wholesale market are significantly determining metabolic flows, mobility and heavy traffic, which are enhancing separation and fragmental spatial structures. Parallel to that, the area is also characterized by agricultural areas, the recently renaturalized Liesingbach and other high quality green spaces, which also partly represent conversion landscapes (old brickworks). Last but not least, the City of Vienna places a new major urban development area (Stadtentwicklungsgebiet Rothneusiedl) in this part of this city, which will redefine the south as an urban pole with new frequencies.

In this design class, a new urban perspective for this complex system at the south of Vienna will be designed, how this area can develop in the long term. Therefore, a new tangential ribbon development along the Liesingbach will be added – a new linear city that connects the single fragments, gives space for new synergies and creates a new urban identity. After an intensive analysis at the beginning, two priorities are set. Firstly, urban structural systems will be identified and examined on the basis of a morphological approach in order to further develop the existing buildings and integrate new spatial structures (street networks, building typologies, urban focus points) in the best possible way. Secondly, new neighborhoods will be designed under the thematical focus points of circularity and of a compact city. A key feature of this course will be working at different scales, from the neighborhood level to macro-scale perspectives that can also extend beyond the city limits.

Following questions will guide us: How can local, circular neighborhoods and districts be created? How can residential and industrial/commercial areas benefit from each other (energetically, socialy, …)? How can principles and qualities of a 15minute city or compact city be implemented? which experiences show support small-scale circulation and exchanges between residents? And finally, which role will historically relevant structures like the linear settlements play in this new ribbon development.

This course is designed as research-led teaching. Parts of the student’s intensive analysis will be incorporated into further research processes. In addition to the cooperation with the research project mentioned below, the design studio is also held in connection with the seminar Linearity & Patchwork: settlement structures in Vienna’s south (the two courses can be attended independently!). Furthermore, this course will cooperate with the department DoTank Circular City Wien 2020-2030 (DTCC30) from the City of Vienna and with the Institute of Transportation from the TU Wien. Experts from the DoTanks Circular City Wien and Harald Frey (Institute of Transportation) will enrich the designs with input and feedback. Linked to this course is also the excursion 260.919 Exkursion Linear Circularity.

This course is designed in cooperation with the "Driving Urban Transitions" research project EMC2 - The Evolutive Meshed Compact City. A pragmatic transition pathway to the 15-minute City for European metropolitan peripheries.