Bounding around forest: Parking gives way for young intensive offenders!

Bounding around forest: Parking gives way for young intensive offenders!

In Vienna there are currently heated debates about the future fate of a forest in Hütteldorfer Strasse. A public park is now to be built from a parking lot, which is of great approval among the population. However, this conversion could not only have positive pages, as some critics see that consider the project as a potential meeting point for young people.

The planned redesign stipulates that the parking lot is replaced by more green areas and leisure options. The residents fear that this new park could become a starting point for young intensive offenders. The concerns are not unfounded, because the experiences in other Viennese green areas show that such places often have to deal with vandalism and noise pollution.

A step in the right direction?

On the one hand, the conversion into a park brings more quality of life and recreation room for the neighborhood. "A little more green can't hurt," oil -up supporters of the project. On the other hand, many wonder how to design the park in such a way that it remains safe and inviting.

Opinions differ. While some are looking forward to new leisure opportunities, others fear that young people who are not always in the best light could stand up there. "The problem is not the park, but responsibility, in dealing with such places," says a resident.

Social media and their role

Speaking of young people: at a time when pictures and videos determine communication, social media also plays a not insignificant role. Platforms like Instagram are very important for the youth. With over two billion users, Instagram is one of the largest social networks. The platform now has a market share of around 10.5 percent and is the most used in Facebook as far as the side calls are concerned. The popularity of formats such as reels, which scores with an engagement rate of up to 37.87 percent, shows how much user behavior has changed (Statista).

The way content is of course also affected the leisure activities of the young people. "We are in an era in which videos and pictures determine the day. It is becoming increasingly important to have a place that not only invites you to relax, but also offers an Instagram-compatible background," explains a media expert.

There are tips and tricks to achieve the maximum range for content on Instagram. For example, that videos in the feed should not be longer than 60 seconds, while IGTV videos are intended for longer content (Metricool).

The questions that move the Viennese are therefore complex: How is the new park accepted, how can it be protected, and what role does the digital world play in it? One thing is clear: changes are imminent and it remains to be seen whether they are advantageous for the residents or not.

A new chapter in city life is opened. The Viennese will soon have to worry about how they want to use and preserve their new park together.