Weiz Archipelago

Team Point of View

The city of Weiz is situated in the productive landscape of Weiz-Gleisdorf, a complex system of diverse spaces, demanding a holistic planning approach. With the construction of the new mobility axis (ODF), Gleisdorfer Strasse loses its function as the city’s main transit route. This change in meaning has to be seen as an opportunity for the contiguous neighbourhoods. No longer a transit space, the area can be tackled and transformed through a set of emerging topics. The creation of public space is a starting point for future development. The goal of this process is to create a manifold part of town, where the neighbourhoods are connected by two linear elements: a transformed street and streetscape, and a continuous park along Weizbach. Thereby this area takes a special role in the productive landscape.

Jury Point of View

The project presents an analysis of the existing heterogeneous urban fabric through the atlas of islands. The project is understood as an urban planning proposal on the long-term, and with a broader focus. The project’s strength is the way it is dealing with nature and the Southern part of the project area. There, the emphasis on the flooding issue especially becomes apparent and is formulated as an integral part of the project.