Globally, urbanization faces the challenge of population growth on the one hand, associated
with an increasing pressure on land and space (structure) as well as at the same time
shrinking and restructuring requirements on the other hand. This raises the question of how
this conflict can be solved in future. A convincing strategy for this is the approach of a
sensitive densification of existing neighborhoods. It allows a small footprint densification of
existing uses and infrastructures as well as the integration of multiple expectant social
groups and socio-cultural contexts of action. In the case of Vienna the growth quarters
(Gründerzeitviertel) are especially recommended for such a sensitive densification. The
further development of these existing neighborhood in just outlined meaning is however
functionally highly complex, and is complicated by small-scale parceling, a large number of
owners and limited control and funding opportunities of the public sector.
The increased population pressure makes it necessary, particularly in dense neighborhoods,
that more public space, parks and open areas, pedestrian or cycle paths are provided. This
can - if at all - only be integrated in the existing urban structures at high cost or by tearing
and therefore the loss of land uses and space; more, there is a lack of innovative methods
and strategies to solve this challenge.
Pocket Mannerhatten (PM) aims to meet this challenge with a participatory organized urban
development strategy based on the idea that small scale and adjacent plots use rights to
trade on buildings or to share (space sharing). In an innovative manner such a building areas
and functions, underground, open and green areas as well as energy and building services
systems are linked. The architectural theory of conception of “collaboration options"
(Niedworok 2014) in compound with a bonus system serves as basis for the project.
This should be worked out implementation-oriented in this exploratory basis of concrete
examples concerning the questions about participation and stakeholder processes,
construction law, urban planning and architecture, construction cost and financing issues and
the innovative integration with resource-efficient energy systems. The results of the
collaboration of interdisciplinary research (consortium) with the city of Vienna and relevant
stakeholders should then be merged into a design manual. Subsequently the exploratory
project, the aim is a pilot project as a cooperative R & D in order to realize the
implementation of the project.