"Forest and Meadow: Past, Present, and Future of the Viennese 'Protected Area Forest and Meadow Belt' (SWW)"

The Viennese "Forest and Meadow Belt," established by the city council in 1905, was one of the world's earliest large-scale landscape planning measures. Stretching from the Danube area through Bisamberg, the Vienna Woods, and Laaer Berg, it continues to serve as a significant recreational area and crucial green lung for the urban population. Despite a construction ban within the "Protected Area Forest and Meadow Belt" (SWW), the green belt saw repeated reductions, legal modifications, expansions, and transformations throughout the 20th century. In this seminar, we will begin by exploring international examples of "Green Belts" and then delve into the evolution of Vienna's SWW. We will address topics related to landscape planning, urban development, planning discourse (e.g., the "1,000-Hectare Plan," "Green Belt Vienna," etc.), and planning instruments (land use zoning, strategic development plans, etc.). This will also provide us with an opportunity to discuss the past, present, and future of the Forest and Meadow Belt with experts from Vienna's city planning department.