Demo on Saturday: Residents Protest to Preserve Vienna's Khleslplatz
A petition "Save Khleslplatz" had gathered more than 1,000 signatures in a short time at the beginning of February. On Saturday (March 8), a protest rally will take place in the midst of the historical ensemble starting at 10:30 AM. The district leadership opposes this.
The former wine-growing village of Altmannsdorf, located near the U6 Schöpfwerk station, is one of the oldest settlement points in present-day Vienna. The old village center, with a now unique triangular village green from the second half of the 11th century, has been preserved like few others in the style of the former Vienna suburbs, which were incorporated in 1892. The protest movement sees it as a "village oasis" in the midst of a two-million city. The parish church of "Saint Oswald" has been documented since 1290. In 1894, the former village square was named after the Viennese Archbishop Melchior Khlesl.
Vienna Khleslplatz: Fear of Destruction by Development
"The protected village appearance of this historical jewel will be destroyed forever in the course of development," asserts the citizens' initiative. An argument that the district chairman of Meidling (12th Viennese district), Wilfried Zankl (SPÖ), contradicts in a statement to the APA: "The proposed changes to Khleslplatz are intended to enable smaller projects for revitalization and moderate densification." The two areas designated for "densification" are each positioned at the rear of the properties, about 40 meters from Khleslplatz. "For both, building class II is proposed, which means a building height of a maximum of twelve meters." Personally, he could also "certainly imagine" a reduction in building height.
In principle, gentle densification is "sensible and ecological" because there is already good existing infrastructure there, and, for example, streets do not need to be newly constructed and more areas do not need to be sealed. "The need for housing is always of great importance, especially in large cities; if this cannot be met through densification, it means not only less sustainability but also increased traffic from commuters, to the detriment of the Meidling residents," emphasized Zankl in a written statement to the APA.
Protected Zone for More Than 50 Years
Furthermore, it is stipulated "that when constructing a new building within a protected zone, care must be taken to ensure that it fits into the ensemble and the cityscape." The status of Khleslplatz as a protected zone, which has existed for more than 50 years, ensures the preservation of this characteristic ensemble "without placing the square under a glass dome like a museum." There is no monument protection in the area, but the protected zone status obliges all new buildings to architecturally adapt to the existing village image and only allows "cautious" changes.
The critical residents have great doubts about the statements. "The new buildings will overshadow the historical houses and are by no means 'cautious'," they emphasize after reviewing the plans. According to these, five-story buildings are possible, which would significantly overshadow the existing ones. Additionally, there is concern "that the new houses will not fit into the historical and unique village square."
It is expected "the creation of non-subsidized housing, high-priced investment apartments with maximum utilization of densification potentials." Another conclusion is therefore: "Here, there are purely private interests that are not beneficial to the general public but lead to speculative gains."
Concern About Microclimate and Overheating in the District of Vienna-Meidling
Furthermore: "The rezoning of garden areas into building land also leads to further soil sealing, affects the microclimate, and exacerbates overheating in the district." The old orchard of a house, which was last used as a workshop, is to fall victim to a residential complex. The development will also lead to a massive increase in traffic around Khleslplatz and in Hetzendorfer Straße, according to concerned citizens.
The planned new AHS "An den Eisteichen" in the immediate vicinity will already cause an increase in traffic, the initiators of the protest movement further believe. However, they are not fundamentally against the school project. But there must be a separation of the necessary rezoning for the new AHS from the protection zone at Khleslplatz. After all, procedures hinting at agreements have leaked: "The economic owner also owns a plot of land that the Federal Real Estate Company (BIG) urgently needs for the construction of the new school 'An den Eisteichen'. Once the rezoning is completed, this plot will be sold to BIG and after the construction of the school, it will be bought back by the real estate developer. At the same time, BIG has ceded part of the school property to the real estate developer." Apparently, a supermarket is also planned on the site.
This procedure raises questions, emphasizes the initiative, and points to certain maneuvers around the planned construction projects. Thus, the protection zone is being reduced on a case-by-case basis. "Which makes development possible without regard to the ensemble." This creates a precedent.
Critics in Vienna-Meidling Remain Unappeased
District chairman Zankl argues that the construction of a new federal high school for Meidling and the south of Vienna is already urgently needed. To enable the construction, the land use plan must be revised. It has also been guaranteed, at the request of many, that the nearby "city grove" - a small, publicly inaccessible green space with trees - will be preserved. The draft amendments have been available online and were also open for inspection during appointments at the district office for the 12th district. "Khleslplatz is an important part of Meidling's identity and its unique charm should definitely be preserved," said the SPÖ politician.
The critics do not believe this assurance and thus remain unappeased. The planned buildings are a massive intervention that will irretrievably destroy the village character, it is emphasized. The rezoning is by no means in the interest of the general public. Environmental protection is also being ignored. A provision that "prohibits the construction of above-ground and underground buildings" has already been deleted without replacement. This allows for further sealing, "through underground development such as garages."
The signs in Altmannsdorf therefore continue to point to resistance. According to reports, local mobilization for the protest rally on Saturday morning in the south of Vienna is in full swing.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.