Pedestrian zone on Wieden: Mühlgasse is being redesigned

Pedestrian zone on Wieden: Mühlgasse is being redesigned

There is exciting news in Wieden: Mühlgasse is now being transformed into the first pedestrian zone in the district. This move follows a survey in which 61 percent of residents voted in favor of the redevelopment. Over 3,500 people eligible to vote were invited, around a quarter of whom actually cast their vote.

The poll found that 61 percent were in favor of a pedestrian zone, while 39 percent were against it. A small group of 17 people only expressed specific wishes without deciding for or against the redesign. This lively participation shows the great interest on the part of the residents in Mühlgasse. The district is very pleased with the return of votes in terms of participation in the decision.

Design plan and timing

According to Lea Halbwidl (SPÖ), the district leader, Mühlgasse will be the first classic pedestrian zone in this district. So far there have only been measures to expand squares, but not to completely convert a street into a pedestrian zone. Mühlgasse is currently a narrow one-way street with narrow sidewalks and parked cars on both sides. Facilities such as a kindergarten and the Palais Ehrbar concert hall are also located there. An active citizens' initiative had long expressed the desire for a pedestrian zone, and a technical study has confirmed that this transformation is possible.

The next steps include detailed planning for the realization of the pedestrian zone. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026 at the earliest. An important point is that the existing parking spaces in Mühlgasse will no longer be available, but it will be ensured that access to nearby garages remains possible. Another goal of the redesign is to green the alley, which should offer the surrounding area a better quality of life.