Plans for Climate-Resilient Outer MaHü: Second Section to Get Wide Bike Path and 45 New Trees
The first section of the climate-friendly Outer Mariahilfer Straße will soon be opened. It offers a two-way bike path, lots of greenery, seating areas, and cooling elements on wide sidewalks. From 2026, the second section from Clementinengasse to Anschützgasse will follow with another 700-meter-long bike path and additional greenery.
Climate-Ready Outer MaHü: Two-Way Bike Path Continues
"The redesign of the Outer Mariahilfer Straße and many of its side streets is a real highlight in the district, with which we are upgrading the entire neighborhood. The first part is almost finished - I am really looking forward to the comfortable two-way bike path! In the second part, we will continue this 3.5 m wide bike path and even increase the greenery: We will plant a total of 45 new trees in this section and turn the Outer MaHü into a green avenue! I am also particularly pleased that we are enhancing the area along the Schwendermarkt with more green spaces, new trees, and seating areas," said Vienna's City Planning Councillor Ulli Sima.
More Attractive Outer MaHü Through More Green Space
District Chairman Dietmar Baurecht sees many advantages in the comprehensive redesign of the second construction phase of the Outer Mariahilfer Straße: "The enhancement of the Outer Mariahilfer Straße is proceeding as planned into the next phase. The design measures involve - in addition to additional green space, planting, and traffic calming - especially wider sidewalks and more accessibility. Thus, the staircase between Sperrgasse and Karmeliterhofgasse is being rebuilt. Parents with strollers or people with physical disabilities can now move along the Outer Mariahilfer Straße without obstacles. In addition, the traffic safety construction measures offer increased quality of stay, which extends outward to Lehnerplatz for the time being. This is significantly enhanced climatically by green beds and planting. This also applies to Clementinengasse, which will be traffic-calmed and greened similarly to Palmgasse. The overall concept for the Outer Mariahilfer Straße is coherent and benefits both the district population and the businesses, tourists, and visitors of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus."
More Traffic Safety for Outer MaHü
"Especially shopping streets and densely built residential areas in the outer districts deserve more greenery, cooling, and quality of stay. Because it is precisely here that the city of short distances can be lived particularly well. Where urban living, climate-friendly mobility, and space for strolling meet local supply in the neighborhood and at the market, everyone benefits. The residents as well as the business people, the market vendors, and of course everyone who will soon enjoy the new Outer Mariahilfer Straße," says NEOS Vienna Mobility and Environment Spokeswoman Angelika Pipal-Leixner. Green District Deputy Chairman Haroun Moalla; "Now the new Mahü is coming to Anschützgasse. We are bringing contemporary greenery and creating traffic safety for the people in the district.” Green Party Chairman Peter Kraus: "The new Outer Mariahilfer Straße offers more space for greenery and cycling. The redesign represents a bridge to the Gürtel. What started with the Mariahilfer Straße is now being continued with the Outer Mariahilfer Straße."
From 2026: Outer MaHü to Become a Climate-Friendly Promenade Through Redesign
The Outer Mariahilfer Straße is being modernized to enhance its attractiveness. Residents were intensively involved in the planning to consider their requirements. A survey in September 2023 showed a desire for more green spaces, non-commercial areas, and improved cycling infrastructure. The reconstruction began in 2024 between Gürtel and Clementinengasse. There, 600 meters of bike path, 19 new trees, seating areas, and 800 square meters of green space are being created, making the area more climate-friendly. In the second section of Mariahilfer Straße, as already between Gürtel and Clementinengasse, a one-way street is being established to create space for a separate two-way bike path. The project offers benefits not only to cyclists.
In the Outer Mariahilfer Straße, the separation of roadway and sidewalk will be removed, similar to Thaliastraße. A low curb separates the roadway from sidewalks and parking spaces. The sidewalks will be widened, offering up to 5 meters of space for recreational areas. New seating invites people to linger after shopping. 45 new trees on both sides complement the existing trees to form a shady avenue. Existing green spaces will be enlarged and connected, creating about 1,300 square meters of new green space, which also improves rainwater infiltration and promotes tree growth.
A water feature and 13 misting columns provide cooling in the summer. Six drinking hydrants offer refreshing Viennese spring water. Durable materials ensure a sustainable design of Mariahilfer Straße, including the side streets with sidewalk extensions and bike lanes. Clementinengasse will become a cul-de-sac with a new tree, seating, and a "wave lounger." The Schwendermarkt will also be made greener, with new trees and green spaces. Originally a fish market, it now offers fruits, vegetables, meat, and spices and is a lively meeting place with numerous cafés and restaurants.
Outer MaHü: Construction for 3rd Section to Start Subsequently
In another section, the Outer Mariahilfer Straße will be redesigned in the coming years from Anschützgasse to Schloßallee, offering a comfortable cycling experience over a length of almost 2 kilometers in a green, climate-friendly environment. The Vienna cycling path initiative continues intensively. By the end of the legislative period, over 250 projects and almost 100 km of the main cycling network will have been realized or initiated, with investments of about 130 million euros. In the district network, over 50 km of bike paths have already been implemented. These measures lead to an increase in cycling usage: The share of trips made by bicycle rose to 11% in 2024, compared to 7% in 2019, according to the 2024 modal split survey.
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