Liesingbach becomes the green oasis: Renaturation starts now!

Liesingbach becomes the green oasis: Renaturation starts now!

Today, September 5, 2025, an important environmental policy project will be launched in Vienna. The construction of the Renaturation of the Liesingbach between Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse and Breitenfurter Straße takes another important step in the ecological upgrading of the water.

Overall, the renaturation project comprises a 9.2 km long Liesingbach route, of which 3.5 kilometers have already been successfully redesigned. The last renaturation work in the drasch park has now been completed. The aim of the project is to transform the Liesing into a green natural oasis and at the same time improve flood protection. A new rainwater canal is built in parallel to the renaturation of the stream.

Ecological measures and water quality

Water Minister Norbert Tettschnig emphasizes the importance of the project for flood protection and improving the ecological framework. The renaturation should not only create the habitat for plants and animals, but also significantly improve the water quality of the Liesingbach. The planned measures include:

• Pendelstrecken im Gewässerlauf für abwechslungsreiche Gewässerzonen;
• Die Schaffung einer Erholungsinsel bei der Riegermühle;
• Pflanzung von 260 hitzetoleranten Bäumen und über 780 heimischen Sträuchern;
• Eine innovative Rankbegrünung mit dem Konzept „Schwebendes Grün“ auf Höhe des Steinsees.

The new rainwater canal is built in the microtunneling process and has an outside diameter of 172 cm and an inner diameter of 140 cm. Particular attention is paid to minimizing the emissions caused during construction such as noise and dust. The EU project Life Encam will accompany the construction work with climate-friendly measures.

Project financing and execution details

The total cost of the project amounts to around 85 million euros gross, with the city of Vienna bearing around 69 million euros and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The share of the city is therefore the greatest financial engine. The construction work is carried out by the Wiener Waterer Department (MA 45) in cooperation with Vienna Canal, and the completion of the renaturation project is planned by 2027.

The administrative body has already successfully implemented the first construction phase, which started in the middle of 2022 with the first renovation work, especially between the Großmarktstraße and Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse. District head Gerald Bishop emphasizes the role of the new underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists who are created by these measures.

Public relations and information center

Public relations work is an important element for project success. The information center B.A.C.H.L. In Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 19, which has been open since 2021, information about the project, construction progress and an interactive exhibition offers information. This commitment promotes understanding and support from the population.

The renaturation of the Liesingbach is not only a sign of environmental policy sense of responsibility, but also an example of how effective project management, clear definitions of targets and the inclusion of the public can be mastered ecological and urban challenges. For more information about the planning and implementation of renaturation measures, interested parties can on the website of the Federal Environmental Office access.

For the ongoing progress of the renaturation work on the Liesingbach, it remains exciting to observe how this valuable natural project will develop and what positive effects it will have on local biodiversity and quality of life in Vienna.