Az W in Seestadt: Let’s talk about urban open spaces for young people!

How should public open spaces be designed in the future? This question is at the heart of the “Park 'n' Play” event in Elinor-Ostrom-Park, organized by the Architekturzentrum Wien and Wien 3420 aspern Development AG. The event brings together professionals, residents, and interested parties to discuss the design of public spaces for everyone.

In addition to presentations of international planning projects and subsequent discussions with planners and users, visitors can look forward to a diverse supporting program with games and sports for the whole family as well as local food and drink.

Focus on international exchange and participation

The international (landscape) architecture firms JAJA Architects and Uniola offer exciting insights into their work and present innovative projects: For example, JAJA Architects transformed a parking garage roof in Copenhagen into a public play and activity space, rising 24 meters above the city and offering new perspectives. La Linea is Uniola’s design for the future “Green String” of Seestadt, which will become a play street for everyone. Elinor-Ostrom-Park – whose sports mile under the subway tracks is now a popular meeting place for all – was also planned by Uniola based on a participatory process with residents. The perfect location for this event!

“Only the shared space between buildings turns a collection of houses into a city. With the open-air event in Elinor-Ostrom-Park, Architekturzentrum Wien goes where the city is just emerging,” says Angelika Fitz, Director of Architekturzentrum Wien.

“To create a livable place for everyone, it’s especially important for us to involve all stakeholders – from experts and residents to businesses – in addition to international exchange. Park 'n' Play is an expression of this participatory approach, which has been implemented in Seestadt from the very beginning,” emphasizes Wien 3420 board member Gerhard Schuster.

Join in, discuss, play

• From 5:00 p.m., visitors can look forward to hands-on activities and local food and drink. Picnic blankets, deck chairs, and benches are provided.
• At 6:30 p.m., the international presentations by Jakob Steen Christensen (JAJA Architects) and Evelyn Quarz (Uniola AG) will take place. Afterwards, all participants are invited to join the discussion and exchange. The event will be moderated by Kurt Hofstetter, Head of Strategic Projects and International Affairs at the City of Vienna (MA 50).

The supporting program:

• The Seestadt library invites you to browse books from their cargo bike;
• at the WIENXTRA stations, seed bombs will be crafted and results from the Vienna Children and Youth Million will be presented;
• Easy Drivers offer free bicycle training;
• the Seestadt aspern neighborhood management is on site with cargo bike test rides;
• the boulderbar with skill games and climbing challenges;
• the Seestadt youth center invites you to an interactive Seestadt quiz, juggling, and volleyball; and
• the Kinderfreunde use the park for games and sports with the little ones

“Park 'n' Play”, an event as part of Az W unterwegs, takes place with free admission on June 27, 2024, from 5:00 to around 8:00 p.m. in Elinor-Ostrom-Park in Seestadt. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved to the VHS Kulturgarage.