Research

As part of various research projects, the Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning has developed a comprehensive set of methods and tools that are used in research projects and case studies to investigate the visual impact of wind power development using realistic interactive 3D visualizations and to discuss these with stakeholders and/or the local population. The results of this process form a central basis for assessing the impact of wind turbines on the landscape. The approach is innovative in terms of its accuracy (based on high-resolution geodata), realism, interactivity (animation of wind turbines and vegetation, free choice of day and time, change of atmospheric conditions such as haze, clouds, etc.) and interaction possibilities (immersive VR glasses, switching between different expansion scenarios, free choice of location, etc.) and thus an important tool when it comes to assessing the visual impact, especially in sensitive and significant landscape areas such as World Heritage regions or protected areas. In this project, realistic interactive visualizations will be developed and implemented for the planned expansion of a wind farm between Andau and Halbturn. The visualization will be presented in a stakeholder workshop on site to discuss and evaluate the impact on the surrounding landscapes, especially on the UNESCO World Heritage Fertő-Neusiedler See.

Nature restoration in cities is a crucial aspect of sustainable urban development, especially in terms of contributing to climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation. However, it can involve significant changes at an individual level, which may challenge the traditional relationship between people and nature. The acceptance of restoration projects by urban dwellers depends on whether they establish new relationships between people and nature. Research indicates that there are significant differences in the acceptance of restoration measures, particularly between young and older people. The comparatively low level of acceptance among today's youth and young adults poses a significant challenge for urban nature restoration. Against this background, this research project takes a biographical approach to identify influences on the acceptance of urban nature throughout the life course. By using a biographical approach, we can systematically identify age and generational influences and possible intervention points for educational institutions, urban planning, and greenspace management. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with young people and adults of various ages residing in Vienna, as well as with experts from different fields such as environmental education and urban planning. The project aims to develop an explanatory model of the interactions between age and generation-related influences, different human-nature relationships, and the acceptance of urban restoration. The results will establish a knowledge base for developing intervention strategies and designing further experiments in urban areas to develop new human-nature relationships for restored cities.

Spatial planning plays a key role in adaptation to climate risks. Thereby, a forward-looking and holistic approach to urban and regional development is needed when decision makers in local spatial planning, municipalities and cities attempt to implement effective measures for climate change adaptation. In this context, there is often a lack of adequate data bases as well as specific but also interdisciplinary knowledge for the interpretation of climate data for the concrete planning case. Based on the concrete planning example of a medium-sized city with a central function as a provincial capital (St. Pölten) and with strong development dynamics, the project considers how climate change adaptation can be implemented at the local level, taking into account the supra-local specifications and strategies, especially if the interconnectedness across planning boundaries (such as urban/urban hinterland) is to be included in the decision-making process. Through an actor-based discussion, which data are needed in particular for the assessment of the spatial impact/sensitivity, how the data management can be improved, as well as a more intensive use of the data at different planning levels, concrete requirements for data and their interpretation are defined in order to reduce uncertainties for the legitimacy of planning decisions in the future and to maximize positive synergies of different planning interests. The project directly shows potentials and necessities of the implementation of climate change adaptation measures via planning instruments, provides action and decision support and forces the interdisciplinary exchange between relevant actors. The project results can and should also provide assistance for other communities.