Playing Streets in Vienna

The playing streets in Vienna are implemented on a regular and recurrent basis. The selected streets have to meet certain criteria, like being home to a school or educational facility; they are also professionally supervised with different activities taking place at different days. On some days children can for instance learn how to ride a bike. At those days the bicycle lobby furnishes the street with a bike obstacle course.

The district leader supports the playing streets and there is usually a dialogue initiated by specially educated staff during the first few dates with residents that oppose the playing street.

Everybody is welcome at the playing streets in Vienna. Children, youth and grown-ups can enjoy the car-free public space. They can play, talk, have picnics, network and get to know their neighbours in informal and comfortable surroundings. For many these playing streets are an ideal way to improve the quality of life in a rapidly growing city.

Everybody can organise a playing street as long as it is guaranteed that it will be organised at least 4 times a year. The city then provides beach flags and post cards as advertisement. The organisers usually are youth organisations, NGOs, etc. Sometimes the ideas are born by parents or district representatives. The playing street is also part of the “Fachkonzept Mobilität STEPS 2025. Currently Vienna has 28 playing streets in 10 Viennese districts.