Pedestrianisation of historic streets and public spaces in Graz (Austria)
In order to combat the urban heat island effect, worsened by climate change, the city of Graz carried an ambitious programme to pedestrianise and re-design its historic streets and public spaces through high-quality design interventions. As a consequence, the quality of public spaces has improved, with more area allocated for people and non-motorised transport, and the new plantings and installations have contributed to improve the micro-climate of the densely built historic centre.
About the city of Graz
Graz is the capital city of the province of Styria, and second largest city in Austria with a population of 331,562 people. The city extends over nearly 130 km2 in the valley of the river Mur, at the foothill of the Alps. Graz comprises the World Heritage site City of Graz, Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg, inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1999 under criteria (ii) and (iv).
The World Heritage site bears "witness to an exemplary model of the living heritage of a central European urban complex influenced by the secular presence of the Habsburgs and the cultural and artistic role played by the main aristocratic families. The Historic Centre of Graz and Schloss Eggenberg are a harmonious blend of the architectural styles and artistic movements that have succeeded each other from the Middle Ages until the 18th century, in the many neighbouring regions of Central and Mediterranean Europe. They embody a diversified and highly comprehensive ensemble of architectural, decorative and landscape examples of these interchanges of influence."
© Harry Schiffer
The State of Conservation Reports presented to the World Heritage Committee between 2004-2009 highlight issues regarding urban development pressures and incomplete management frameworks, particularly regarding the re-design and adaptation of the Department Store project of Kastner & Öhler, located in the core zone of the property. After a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS expert mission was deployed to the property in October 2006, the State Party followed the mission’s recommendations and submitted a management plan and a master plan for the World Heritage property, as well as further details on proposed and ongoing development projects. In 2007, the World Heritage Committee noted with satisfaction that the State Party has submitted a management plan and a master plan for the World Heritage property (Decision 31 COM 7B.106). The plan was later revised in 2013. In 2010, the boundaries of the World Heritage site were extended to include Schloss Eggenberg and the historical axis which connects the city centre with the castle (Decision 34 COM 8 B.37).
Climate change-related impacts
The mean temperature in Graz has increased by approximately two degrees in the past 40 years (Meteoblue). It is also affected by the urban heat island effect, whose effects are worsened by climate change.
"Building density, soil sealing, and the emission of air pollutants and waste heat can lead to higher average temperatures and pollution levels, lower wind speeds, and reduced humidity in cities. This effect, referred to as the urban climate effect, will be further reinforced by climate change. Green and open spaces serve an important function in climate regulation and can counteract the temperature rise in cities."
Traditional knowledge and practices
Climate action solutions and strategies
As part of a wider effort to create a pedestrian-only zone in the historic centre, the city of Graz carried an ambitious programme to re-design its historic streets and public spaces through high-quality design interventions. The initiative aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of the public space and improve sustainability standards in the historic city, to promote non-motorised transport and mitigate the urban heat island.
The project is a direct consequence of the extension of the pedestrian zone to enhance the liveability of the historic centre and promote sustainable transportation. At the same time, the intervention reacted to the increased security needs by installing new high-quality street furniture that doubled as barriers.
Detail of new street furniture in the Schmiedgasse
© Christian Probst
Detail of new planters in the Schmiedgasse
© achtzigzehn_jane.
The streets were paved with granite pavers in soft colours, which are high-quality, durable and absorb less heat than bitumen and asphalt finishes. The historic paving techniques enhance the character of the historic centre while reducing the speed of traffic. Bicycle parking areas are located on the streets and squares in order to promote non-motorised transport.
At the same time, the proposal included new trees and planting which provide shade and cooling, mitigating the urban heat island effect. New accessible, shaded areas were created, where users can sit and enjoy social interactions. Diverse seating options cater for users of different needs.
Upper Sporgasse after the works © Christian Probst
Schmiedgasse during the works © GSL
As a consequence, the historic centre of Graz has seen a redistribution of public space, with more area allocated for people and priority given to non-motorised transport. The quality of public spaces has improved, and the new plantings and paving have contributed to improve the micro-climate of the densely built historic centre.
Source: Ms Gertraud Strempfl-Ledl, World Heritage Coordinator, City of Graz, 2021.
Contribution towards global goals
How does this case study contribute to the global commitments of sustainable development, climate change action and heritage conservation?
Sustainable development
The initiative aims to contribute towards sustainable development by addressing the following Sustainable Development Goals:
Target 11.6: the initiative aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by promoting sustainable transportation options and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Target 11.7: the initiative aims to increase universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
Target 13.1: the initiative aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
Climate change
The average temperature of Graz is increasing, and the urban heat island effect is worsening.
The historic layout of the city is walkable, low-emission and adapted to the climate. The heritage sites include many examples of resilience and adaptability.
Preserve features and heritage attributes of the historic city that contribute to climate change mitigation, such as the use of local materials, open and vegetated public spaces, and walkable streets suitable for non-motorised transport.
Historic Urban Landscape
The project aims to contribute to the implementation of the approach of the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape by preserving historic public spaces and streets and promoting high-quality interventions in the historic urban environment.
Knowledge and planning Regulatory systemsLearn more
Discover more about the details of the case study and the stakeholders involved.
To learn more
- Watch the presentation by the site manager during the Celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape.
- Read the study “UNESCO World Heritage Site Graz", developed by the City of Graz.
- Read The Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change
Contact
Mr Bertram Werle, Director for Urban Planning, Development & Construction, Graz World Heritage Coordination Office
- Email: stadtbaudirektion@stadt.graz.at
- Website : graz.at
Credits
© UNESCO, 2022. Project team: Jyoti Hosagrahar, Alba Zamarbide, Carlota Marijuán Rodríguez, Mirna Ashraf Ali.Cover image: View of new Schmiedgasse © Christian Probst
Note: The cases shared in this platform address heritage protection practices in World Heritage sites and beyond. Items being showcased in this website do not entail any type of recognition or inclusion in the World Heritage list or any of its thematic programmes. The practices shared are not assessed in any way by the World Heritage Centre or presented here as model practices nor do they represent complete solutions to heritage management problems. The described potential impacts of the initiative are only indicative and based on submitted and available information. The World Heritage Centre does not carry out an independent verification of the projects and their impacts.
Austria
Decisions / Resolutions (2)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-10/34.COM/8B and WHC-10/34.COM/INF.8B1.Add,
2. Approves the extension of the City of Graz - Historic Centre to include Schloss Eggenberg and to become City of Graz - Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg, Austria, on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv);
3. Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
Brief synthesis
The City of Graz - Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg bear witness to an exemplary model of the living heritage of a central European urban complex influenced by the secular presence of the Habsburgs and the cultural and artistic role played by the main aristocratic families. They are a harmonious blend of the architectural styles and artistic movements that have succeeded each other from the Middle Ages until the 18th century, in the many neighbouring regions of Central and Mediterranean Europe. They embody a diversified and highly comprehensive ensemble of architectural, decorative and landscape examples of these interchanges of influence.
Criterion (ii): The City of Graz - Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg reflects artistic and architectural movements originating from the Germanic region, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, for which it served as a crossroads for centuries. The greatest architects and artists of these different regions expressed themselves forcefully here and thus created a brilliant syntheses.
Criterion (iv): The urban complex forming the City of Graz - Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg is an exceptional example of a harmonious integration of architectural styles from successive periods. Each age is represented by typical buildings, which are often masterpieces. The physiognomy of the city and of the castle faithfully tells the story of their common historic and cultural development.
Integrity and authenticity
The extension of the City of Graz - Historic Centre property to include Schloss Eggenberg significantly strengthens the integrity of the property. The extension gives rise to the new enlarged buffer zone which is continuous, and includes the ancient road. Furthermore, the castle and its gardens have conserved satisfactory architectural and structural integrity.
The external authenticity of the castle is good, and that of the baroque interior on the first floor is excellent. The authenticity of the ground floor, which has been converted into a museum, and that of the garden, which has been partly redesigned and restored, are of a lower level which however remains acceptabl
Protection and management requirements
Schloss Eggenberg is protected under the Austrian Monument Protection Act (533/1923 and amendments). The Management Plan has been in place since 2007 and brings together the town plan of 2009 and all protection and conservation decisions related to the extended property and the buffer zone, which was enlarged to include the road leading from the historic centre of the city of Graz to Schloss Eggenberg. The Coordination Bureau for the extended property has been in place since 2009, and has been granted strengthened and effective overarching powers. However, particular care needs to be taken with regard to urban development pressures inside the property and its buffer zone, in order to maintain the outstanding universal value of the property and ensure that it is fully expressed.
4. Recommends that the State Party ensure effective control of works projects in the various parts of the enlarged buffer zone so as to ensure the long-term conservation of the property's landscape integrity.
Read more about the decisionThe World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 30 COM 7B.76, adopted at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006),
3. Notes with satisfaction that the State Party has submitted a management plan and a master plan for the World Heritage property;
4. Encourages the State Party to continue the implementation of the mission’s recommendations, in accordance with the Vienna Memorandum “World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape” (2005);
5. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre an updated report on the current situation and on any major development projects by 1 February 2009 for examination by the Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.
Read more about the decision