Kinderuni Vienna discovers biodiversity: Breitenlee becomes natural paradise!

Kinderuni Vienna discovers biodiversity: Breitenlee becomes natural paradise!

Breitenlee, Wien, Österreich - Breitenlee is currently turning from a sleepy railway area to a flowering natural paradise. As part of an exciting nature conservation project, around 100 pupils of the children's university discover what biodiversity means and why it is of essential importance for climate protection. The event takes place in cooperation with the city of Vienna and the children's office of the University of Vienna and is intended to strengthen the awareness of the young participants for ecological relationships. On September 15, 2025, the project, which is under the motto "Nature Conservation site Breitenlee", will culminate with a biodiversity conference, in which the children have the opportunity to actively discuss with scientists: inside and city representatives.

Breitenlee itself has an eventful past. The former shift station, which was planned as one of the largest in Europe in the 1920s, had been broke since 1945. Now a 90 hectare area is being converted into one of the largest renaturation projects in the Vienna city area. Mayor Michael Ludwig and the ÖBB infrastructure officer Silvia Angelo have signed a letter of intent. The city of Vienna acquires the area with the support of the federal government and funds from the biodiversity fund to develop it in a Natura 2000 conservation area, which offers important biotopes and habitats for rare plant and animal species, including the Wiedhopf, the fence lizard and over 140 wild bee species.

a place for biodiversity and relaxation

As part of the project, measures are taken to remove sealed areas, remove invasive plant species and create new habitats for amphibians and wild bees. The area is not only promoted in its ecological diversity, but is also intended to serve as a local recreation area and support the cooling of the urban development area in the 22nd district. In the long term there are also zones for gentle relaxation, environmental education and marketing local products. This commitment is additionally supported by EU funding of 60 percent.

"The Renaturation project Breitenlee is a prime example of how urban development and nature conservation can go hand in hand," says Mayor Ludwig. This large initiative has set itself the goal of counteracting the progressive loss of natural habitats. In recent decades, urbanization and economic development has severely affected many natural spaces in Europe. The EU reacted to the alarming developments more than 40 years ago and issued laws for the protection of endangered species to preserve nature.

The importance of biodiversity

The focus on biodiversity in Breitenlee could not be more up -to -date. The comprehensive challenges that have led to the deterioration of nature in Europe are diverse: urbanization, pollution and changes in land use have left their mark over the years. Many of the endangered species that find protection here are unique for Europe and are nowhere else. Breitenlee will not only be a place of biodiversity, but also symbolically for the commitment of Vienna to protect nature and actively invest in the preservation of our environment.

Together with all of these measures, the project "Nature Conservation site Breitenlee" takes an outstanding place as part of Vienna's urban development and will continue over the next few years with a budget of 10 to 15 million euros. The multitude of planned initiatives will certainly ensure that this unique location is increasingly being attractive for humans and animals.