Young people are designing the future: Shopping street planned in Seestadt!

Young people are designing the future: Shopping street planned in Seestadt!

Creative minds aged 15 to 17 gathered at the Seestadt technology center to create their visions for the shopping street of the future. At the Junior Innovation Challenge, which took place on July 9, 2025, students presented innovative concepts for the Co-creative Mile. This shopping and strolling mile will stretch from Aspern Nord train station to Zaha-Hadid-Platz on Lake Aspern. The event was organized by Junior Achievement Austria with the support of aspern Seestadt Shopping Streets GmbH, which was founded in 2012 to develop a local supply concept for this new district.

The young people worked in small groups on various topics such as product mix, mobility solutions and city logistics. Mentors from aspern Seestadt Shopping Streets GmbH and the private university Schloss Seeburg supported the young innovators. “The creativity of the young people and the relevance of the concepts developed are impressive,” praised Martin Hesik, managing director of the shopping street company. The aim is to actively shape not only the present but also the future of public space. You can find out more about this in the report from OTS.

Public spaces in transition

The challenges that young people experience in relation to public spaces should not be underestimated. According to a study, the use and accessibility of these spaces are heavily influenced by factors such as commercialization and insecurity. Young people can often no longer enjoy the freedom they were used to in urban areas because they have to adapt to existing power and order structures. In this context, the importance of innovative concepts for public spaces, such as those developed in the Junior Innovation Challenge, becomes even clearer. Public spaces are not only places for young people to meet, but also for identity formation. This topic is also discussed in the analysis of kluedo deepened.

In other cities, such as Dornbirn, it is clear that the dialogue between young people and city planners is also of central importance. As part of a workshop on urban development, students collected their perspectives and wishes under the leadership of Miriam Wolf and Caritas. These findings and suggestions are important building blocks for designing cities worth living in. Vol.at reports on the diverse ideas that young people bring to improve their living environment.

A look into the future

The shopping street in Seestadt is more than just a place to shop. It represents a meeting space that is intended to meet the needs of the young generation. With around 8,000 m² of retail space and an additional 22,000 m² planned until the district is completed, it offers enormous development opportunities. The focus on a diverse range of local amenities will further increase the attractiveness of the Seestadt.

The harmonious integration of innovative ideas from young people and the requirements of modern public spaces could represent a model for urban development in the future. It is essential that students continue to have the opportunity to contribute their ideas to such projects and thus actively participate in the design of their environment.