impaQt – Nachhaltige Quartiersentwicklung von Berlin bis Melk
On October 7, the successful launch of the European LIFE project “impaQt” took place in Melk in the venue Unsere Tischlerei . This kick-off event marks the beginning of a comprehensive innovation process in Melk focused on sustainable neighbourhood development. A particular focus is on the further development of “Boulevard Melk”, which was first presented to the public at the public information event at the end of August in the Melk City Hall.
In addition to project partners and experts such as Green 4 Cities, BOKU University – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, superwien, EFB – European Federation Green Roofs & Walls, plan zwei, komobile, Berlin – Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf District Office, Roland Honeder, Unsere Tischlerei, and ENU – Energy and Environment Agency of Lower Austria, Silke Dammerer, Member of the Lower Austrian State Parliament, representing Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, was also welcomed to the Melk Carpentry Workshop.
Silke Dammerer addressed the guests and congratulated Mayor Patrick Strobl and the project partners on the groundbreaking Boulevard project. She emphasised the importance of cities in Lower Austria increasingly focusing on climate-friendly and future-orientated developments.
“Boulevard Melk” primarily involves the creation of a climate forest in the heart of Melk’s old town. Together with its twin city, Berlin-Charlottenburg, the municipality of Melk prevailed over other European cities for EU-LIFE funding and received broad approval. The climate forest in Melk will not only be the green heart of the city but also a living laboratory for innovative approaches to neighbourhood development.
Mayor Patrick Strobl emphasised:
“Among other things, the municipality of Melk is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, requiring not only preservation but also further development.” Our credo is a bold step forward – towards greater innovation, sustainability, and future viability.”
With impaQt, the municipality is providing new impetus for the city, its economy, and its population, creating visible signs of change. Melk is intended to serve as a model for sustainable urban development in Europe. The primary focus will be on the goal of integrated solutions for liveable neighbourhoods. Over the next four years, Melk Boulevard will be developed together with experts from the fields of urban development, biodiversity, the circular economy, and social change and, above all, with the involvement of the public through further citizen participation processes.
After the introduction, Bernd Vogl, Managing Director of the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund, delivered a keynote speech on “Innovative Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Austria”. He emphasised the importance of initiatives where people work together to develop and implement new, liveable ideas.
The afternoon also featured exciting keynote speeches.
Experts presented on topics such as co-creation, impact-based financing, the circular economy, and built impacts. In interactive discussion sessions, participants were able to exchange ideas and develop new perspectives for collaborative learning.
Here’s to a good partnership with Berlin.
The event was particularly pleased to meet the project partner, Berlin – the Charlottenburg District Office.
As a symbol of the European partnership with Berlin, the planting of a European linden tree in the middle of the new climate forest on the Sparkasse parking lot site will be under the motto “I am the Berliner!” In return, Berlin is also looking forward to a partner tree to represent the joint partnership!
The tree will find its new home in the new forest during the planting work. The importance of the linden tree as a house tree thus sets a visible example of cooperation, sustainability, and the future.
Mayor Strobl emphasised:
“With impaQt, we want to demonstrate that sustainable urban development can only succeed through cooperation – with the population, science, and business. This project is an important step on the path to sustainable, liveable urban neighbourhoods.”
Contact for enquiries:
Press and Public Relations
Constanze Schedlmayer, BA
Rathausplatz 11, 3390 Melk
+43 676 8447153200