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Vienna Naschmarkt

Decongesting Vienna’s Naschmarkt for better movement and flow

Sector

Transportation & Mobility

Region

Europe

Timespan

2015–2019

A simple gesture like adding signage to mark cycling and pedestrian zones reprioritized how people use and move through the streets around Vienna’s Naschmarkt. Credit: Gehl

Vienna’s renowned Naschmarkt, with its 120 market stands and bustling Saturday flea market, was increasingly becoming a traffic island nestled between three major streets. To address this congestion, the City of Vienna asked Gehl to develop a mobility strategy that prioritises and enhances movement and flow for pedestrians and cyclists, instead of cars.

Getreidemarkt is a busy street and one of the main entry points to Vienna Naschmarkt. Before its development, the street was dull and did not provide clear indications between vehicle, pedestrian or cycling zones. Credit: Gehl
After the development, the street is now an inviting space for people walking or on bikes. Credit: Gehl

From designing for speed to designing for people

After initial on-site research, the Gehl team discovered that the streets in and around Naschmarkt needed a shift in priorities — from cars to people and from a disconnected market to an integrated one.

Gehl collaborated with local sustainable mobility consultants Rosinak and the City of Vienna on the development of a concept design to better connect the market to all users. The strategy included optimizing parking, integrating bicycle lanes and pedestrian crossings, extending sidewalks for commercial activities, and unifying these interventions with a consistent, recognizable design.

By 2019, most of Gehl’s recommendations had been implemented, resulting in a dramatic improvement in cycling conditions, better market access for people walking, and an overall enhanced environment for all businesses, passersby and visitors alike.

Linke Wienzeile, the street that runs along the left side of Vienna’s Naschmarkt is now a cycling-friendly street. Credit: Gehl
Andreas Røhl, Mobility Lead Lisa Müller-Schober, Project Manager
An active, linear public space is located along the escarpment making the scenic views of the larger mountain range accessible for all. Credit: Gehl/Atkins

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