For this walk, we explored the district on foot – a fitting choice, as walking is by far the most important mode of transport in the 1st district, accounting for around 60 % of all trips. From Schottenring via Herrengasse and Michaelerplatz to Neuer Markt, Postgasse and Dominikanerbastei, there was plenty to discover and discuss along the way.

One particularly interesting topic was how district-level politics works in Vienna and how closely different planning decisions are interconnected. For example, a redesign of Schottengasse would require a new turning loop for buses, which in turn depends on a new terminus for the city bus in the 9th district and is linked to the completion of the U5 metro line.

The district councillor also shared insights into local financing mechanisms. One example was the considerable share of the district budget spent on repairing damage to street surfaces caused by horse-drawn carriages.

The walk concluded with a reflection round, where each participant shared their key takeaways. It was a valuable opportunity to gain new perspectives on urban mobility, planning processes, and local governance.

Authors: Lukas Esterl, Marc Hundstorfer, Chiara Materazzi, Iris Wonisch