Urban parks: How can design foster social integration? A comparative study on district level in Vienna

This research project aimed to explore urban parks regarding their capability to foster social integration between different social groups in densely built urban neighborhoods. As main objective, the impact of design, spatial concept and support by social organizations on the integrative potential of the parks was examined. The research was accomplished in Margareten, a district of Vienna, characterized by its heterogeneous population and its high pressure on public space. Five public parks varying in size, spatial concept, urban surrounding and year of inauguration/ redevelopment (1880 - 2017) were analyzed. The presence and absence of different social groups, interaction and conflicts - in relation to space - was examined. A mix of methods was applied: First, analysis of structural data to identify possible users and challenges and second, observations and semi-structured interviews with visitors and experts to gain information on the micro-analytic level. The analyzed parks represent meaningful meeting points for the neighborhoods and, despite their small size, address a variety of needs. They comprehensively differ in their spatial concepts and each of them attracts different social groups. It could be determined that equipment and spatial configurations, which attract various groups, can facilitate interaction, but may also foster conflicts and repression. As parks in a densely built and diverse district such as Margareten are confronted with a large number of different needs, it appears more adequate to consider the parks as pieces of a broader network of public spaces instead of seeking to satisfy all the different needs in every individual park (which seems rarely possible). By strengthening the characteristic features of each park (under consideration of the needs of all groups in the public spaces network), the integrative potential of the district may be subsequently improved. Involving potential users in the planning process causes additional positive impact.