Mixed Use

A city is not only made up of housing. Even a city like Vienna, which is justifiably proud of its housing tradition, would only be a settlement if there were nothing else but housing in it. For neighborhoods to truly become a piece of the livable and viable city, a proper mix is needed. A small-scale mix of living, working and shopping facilities ensures short distances, avoids traffic and emissions. Culture, gastronomy and social offerings are essential for the identity of a neighborhood.

Not to be neglected is the productive city, i.e., places where commerce, logistics and production can take place without being relegated to the outskirts. In addition, there are new forms of work such as the home office. This means that the boundaries between the residential and the non-residential are becoming more open. Ground floors in neighborhoods, in particular, lend themselves to productive experi- ments with mixed urban forms.

The IBA_Vienna focuses on the mix of uses in neighborhood development, for example in the “Am Seebogen” and Sonnwendviertel neighborhoods. But also within individual buildings, many projects have developed not only productive mixes but also methods to coordinate the different needs. After all, a one-person business plans its future in a completely different way when compared with a residential developer. This requires suitable management and coordination right from the start.