The "Essbare Seestadt"-project is a 2-year research project in which an interdisciplinary team of researchers, gardening experts, sustainability experts, citizens and the district management wants to find out what contribution food production in the city can make to a climate-friendly, resilient district. It also aims to show how citizen participation can have an optimal long-term effect.
The target area is Aspern Urban Lakeside, one of the largest Smart Cities model regions in Europe and a green showcase project in Vienna. In cooperation with residents and initiatives, "Essbare Seestadt" explores the effectiveness of food supply from own production in urban space (from private and public open spaces, roofs, buildings) in terms of climate change adaptation, self-sufficiency potential and resource efficiency.
The spatial potential for urban food production is put into relation with social capital. The project investigates which preconditions and incentives operators of an edible city district need. Research is being conducted into what contributions an "edible city" makes or can make to a climate-neutral, resilient urban district and how this contribution can be sustainably stabilised or optimised.
The first practical projects, such as the "Liz Christy Path", the Giesrad E-Lias and the edible seaside city demo street, have already been implemented.
Further information at www.essbareseestadt.at