How can cities remain livable as tourism grows? Cornelia Dlabaja, Endowed Chair for Sustainable Urban Tourism at FHWien der WKW, demonstrates how placemaking, as an integrative approach, opens new possibilities for balanced urban and tourism development.
Increasing urban densification and touristification pose major challenges for cities worldwide. In the article “Placemaking at the Intersection of Urban and Tourism Development” (in German) Cornelia Dlabaja, Katharina Höftberger (Urban Innovation Vienna), and Jana Werl (WienTourismus) demonstrate how these developments can be actively shaped through innovative planning approaches.
Innovative Solutions to Urban Challenges
The focus is on the research project “Learning Journey – Walking Through the Inner City”, which was conducted in Vienna’s first district. Using four case studies – Schwedenplatz, Michaelerplatz, Albertinaplatz, and Heldenplatz – the project examined specific challenges such as conflicts of use, high visitor density, and environmental stressors. The goal was to improve the quality of public space, particularly for pedestrians, and to better reconcile differing interests.
A key outcome of the project is the development of twelve principles for placemaking. These principles integrate urban planning, tourism development, and social aspects. They range from cooperative governance and participatory planning to strengthening local identity and social infrastructure. Thus, placemaking is understood as a process that not only shapes spaces but also makes social relationships and responsibilities visible.
Urban Development as a Collaborative Endeavor
Theoretically, this approach is based on care-oriented concepts that view urban development as a collaborative endeavor. The focus is on how spaces can be designed to meet the needs of both residents and visitors. The so-called “visitor economy” is not seen as an end, but rather as an opportunity to sustainably improve quality of life.
The results clearly show that successful placemaking requires close collaboration among various stakeholders – from government agencies and tourism organizations to local initiatives. Only through integrative processes can more resilient, inclusive, and livable cities emerge.
With the “Vienna Playbook: The Places To Be”, Cornelia Dlabaja has translated these findings into a practical tool. It is intended to serve as a guide for urban and tourism development in the future. In this way, the research conducted by the Endowed Chair for Sustainable Urban Tourism makes an important contribution to the design of sustainable urban living spaces.
>> Visit the website of the WKW Endowed Chair for Sustainable Urban Tourism