dc.description.abstract
In the context of increasing urbanization, growing building density, and progressing global warming, climate-sensitive strategies for shaping public spaces and urban mobility infrastructure are gaining central importance. This master's thesis investigates, using the case study of Vienna, how blue-green climate adaptation technologies can contribute to reducing urban heat stress, improving the urban microclimate, and enhancing overall urban resilience. Particular attention is paid to the integration of such measures within heavily used street spaces and the interactions between urban climatic factors, land use density, and the availability of public space.The aim of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of the effectiveness and feasibility of blue-green infrastructure in dense urban environments, based on current urban climatological findings and with consideration of planning and transport-related framework conditions. The focus is not only on the technical and ecological impacts but also on the planning conflicts that arise between transportation functions, spatial quality, and climate adaptation objectives.Methodologically, the thesis combines an extensive literature and document analysis with a comparative investigation of climate-relevant street typologies in Vienna. Spatial and climate data analyses, microclimatic modeling, and an international comparison with best-practice examples (including Copenhagen, Athens, and Seoul) enable a differentiated evaluation of greening measures (e.g., street trees, vegetated side strips, sponge city concepts) and water infrastructure (e.g., park ponds, fountains, misting systems). In addition, the influence of building typology, urban morphology, and ventilation conditions is examined based on selected Viennese street profiles.The results demonstrate that strategically implemented blue-green elements can have significant effects on temperature reduction, humidity regulation, and fine dust filtration in heat-prone urban areas. At the same time, the case studies show that the success of such measures depends strongly on spatial and procedural planning conditions, such as the availability of residual space, the typology of surrounding buildings, and coordination across administrative sectors. Multifunctional solutions like vegetated infiltration strips, temporary water features, or greened traffic islands appear particularly promising in densely built districts.Furthermore, the assessment of existing infrastructure in Vienna highlights the importance of adaptive planning instruments, such as modified land-use plans, district-level climate targets, or targeted funding programs, as key levers for implementing resilient urban design. In addition to evaluating current measures, the thesis provides strategic recommendations for the climate-sensitive development of urban street spaces. These include the optimization of spatial resource use, the development of measurable evaluation indicators for climate impact, and the integration of blue-green infrastructure into comprehensive urban planning.This work contributes to the sustainable transformation of public space and offers both conceptual and practice-oriented insights into the climate-resilient development of urban infrastructure, using Vienna as an example. Moreover, transferable findings are outlined for cities with comparable density, topography, and urban climate challenges.
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