Vienna has started works on its first Low Traffic Grätzl (LTG), a low-traffic neighbourhood around Wolfganggasse in the Meidling district, which is to be redesigned for traffic calming by the end of the year and then greened. The model relieves residential areas of through traffic with simple, low-cost and quickly implemented measures. The city plans to roll it out together with the districts at further sites in the coming years.

What changes around Wolfganggasse

The project covers several streets in the area between Längenfeldgasse, Steinbauergasse, Siebertgasse and Arndtstraße. Its centrepiece is Wolfganggasse, which becomes a pedestrian zone from house number 14 to Tichtelgasse. Planted beds created by the Gartenverein Wolfganggasse will be complemented by new seating and lounging furniture. The former carriageway gets colourful road markings and is reserved mainly for pedestrians and cyclists.

At the junctions Tichtelgasse/Fockygasse and Tichtelgasse/Schallergasse, diagonal filters will stop through traffic. The filters are large concrete bins formerly used on the Danube Island, now reused as planters. Vehicle access remains possible. New kerb extensions at the junctions improve visibility and road safety. Mobile planters add greenery to the densely built area. A hydrant is fitted with a drinking attachment. New bicycle racks at Tichtelgasse/Malfattigasse add parking directly in front of the school.

How the model works

The model follows London’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, where traffic calming is achieved without construction work. To stop rat-running, one-way streets are reversed or diagonal filters are set up. Access for deliveries, residents and emergency vehicles is kept, while through traffic is blocked. One-way streets are opened to cyclists in both directions. Planning councillor Ulli Sima called it a good concept for Vienna in times of tight budgets. Areas do not have to be completed at once and can be developed step by step. The city also wants to use synergies with projects such as cycle path expansion, district heating and metro construction.

What comes next

Planning for further sites is already under way in three districts. The next areas are planned in Mariahilf, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus and Alsergrund. Seven more districts have shown interest and are being assessed.

  • One LTG per district possible in the current legislative period, until 2030
  • City funding: 50,000 euros per district