Breitenlee will soon shine in new splendor: a Natura 2000 area is being created!

Breitenlee will soon shine in new splendor: a Natura 2000 area is being created!

In Vienna, the promotion of biodiversity is very important. With Breitenlee, the city has now created the sixth Natura 2000 area in its urban area. This new protected area, which covers around 90 hectares, was once an unused train station area and is now to be transformed into a valuable natural area through planned unsealing and renaturation. Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky was proud of the creation of these valuable natural spaces in the city and emphasized the importance of biodiversity, which is threatened by invasive plant species and bush encroachment.

The Breitenlee area was acquired by ÖBB in 2025, financed by the federal biodiversity fund, and urban planning envisages implementing special measures to combat invasive species and improve habitats. The aim of these efforts is to restore rare steppe habitats, which will create new habitat for various animal species. For this purpose, EU funding is also used, which is to be used, among other things, for the creation of a management plan and for restoration measures. Participation formats for the population are also planned in order to actively involve the community.

The importance of Natura 2000 areas

Natura 2000 areas play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity in Europe. These special protected areas are designated in accordance with the Birds Directive and the Fauna-Flora-Habitats Directive of the European Union. Their primary goal is to ensure a favorable conservation status of species and habitats. Those responsible are entrusted with comprehensive tasks, ranging from conservation measures to monitoring the conservation status and reporting obligations. With Breitenlee's accession, Vienna has impressively reaffirmed its commitment to nature conservation.

It is also noticeable that nature in the city not only requires living spaces, but can also offer opportunities for recreation and experiencing biodiversity. The City of Vienna has made it its mission to secure and develop such valuable areas so that both people and animals can benefit from an intact ecosystem.

Finally, the example of Breitenlee shows how valuable natural resources can be preserved and promoted through strategic measures and a good hand in urban planning. This is a further step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly urban public that can meet the challenges of climate change.