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Project description
Name of the case study
URBAN I Graz and URBAN II link Graz West: Social and economic renewal of urban districts
Description of context
EU-URBAN development programmes initiate economic and social revival of urban areas.
Description of project - background
The Community council of Graz initiated two URBAN EU projects:
URBAN I Graz (=UI), and
URBAN II linkGrazWest (=U GW)
Description of project - objectives/aims
The aim of U I (1995-1999) was to initiate and support development processes (consisting of several “key projects” and additional "single projects") in the town district of Gries, with the higher aim of improving the housing and economic quality.
Gries is a town district characterised by a high percentage of foreign population, unemployment, traffic and night life problems (prostitution, bars). U I wanted to encourage private initiative of all residents and strengthen identification with the local areas.
Description of project - time interval and stages
U I worked in three particular fields of support:
-District development and district renewal:
Improvement of housing situation and the environment;
revitalisation of a public city swimming pool;
reduction of individual heating systems etc..
Forms of (individual and public) mobility that are considered environmentally friendly and socially acceptable such as cycling, walking, public transport: Remodelling of public places; construction of footbridge;...
Intensification of social infrastructure: Open geriatric district centre;...
Support for local economy: Promotion programme for SMEs; economic model for Gries; settlement programme for technology oriented businesses,...
-Job creation and intensification of the social grid:
Socio-economic projects; social work focussing on the problems of the area; employment projects;
intercultural language service; youth council;
streetwork for teenagers;...
-Participation of residents:
Info desk;communication plan; events; participatory park planning;opinion poll
Resident participation and training
UI included more than 50 individual urban development projects in the municipal district of Gries and around 11,000 residents.
As a follow up initiative UGW was launched in 2000. The overall goal of UGW is to develop the formerly industrial zone of Graz West (covering three city districts) in an economically interesting but sustainable way. This zone is characterised by a heterogenous spatial structure; monofunctionality, partially inaccessible areas, social problem zones (U GW=750 ha, 32000 residents).
UGW will continue until 2007 and has three main aims:
-Development of the potential of the information society:
Extension of a senior technical college centre (to be opened to the population to a certain extent);
creation of a start-up centre for future technology entrepreneurs; creation of a start up centre for human technology; development aid for operational investments; qualification of (local) workforce.
The college/school
-Fit for future district development:
Mobility, sustainable construction, living and working; construction of a new event centre with photovoltaic system; railway underpass, extension of footpath and cycle path network
-Communication to accompany the process:
Assure participation of citizens in decision making processes; URBAN info point
Description of project - financing
Both projects are being co-financed by the City of Graz, private business, the department of Styria and EU funds
Description of project - other sectors involved
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What tools were used to assess sustainability?
URBAN Graz procedure
More information