The Danube power plant Altenwörth is the most powerful run-of-river power plant in Austria. The difference in height of the barrage is 13.9 metres and thus acts as a barrier for fish and other aquatic life. This obstacle will be overcome in the future with a fish migration aid, which is built in the frame of a LIFE+ project.  At 12.5 kilometres long, it will be the longest fish bypass in Lower Austria. VERBUND Hydro Power coordinates the LIFE+ project.

Together with ALLRegio, mecca is responsible for the “Socio-economic Analysis – LIFE Network Danube+ ALTENWÖRTH”, the aim of which is to identify the possible socio-economic effects of this project and to present them in advance. Key indicators for the most important socio-economic impacts will be identified and presented. These key indicators provide the basis for a monitoring, which is planned in the course of the project “LIFE Net-work Danube+ ALTENWÖRTH”. The guiding theme for this is: Regional added value through a nature conservation project (LIFE+) on the Danube near Altenwörth.

project partner: ALLRegio

In Bad Vöslau (Lower Austria) the old Louisenvilla should be renovated. On the same plot the Louisenpark apartment building is to be constructed. In the immediate vicinity are the spa gardens, a senior citizens’ residence and a municipal outdoor swimming pool.

The current forest-like character of the property is to be preserved as far as possible – especially the pine trees.

In order to preserve or create further ecologically valuable areas, plantings of several trees, flowering shrub hedges, planting beds with shrub mixtures, vertical greenery on a house wall or on wire ropes along the garbage room as well as the greening of the entire flat roof of the apartment building are planned.

Project partner: DI Doris Haidvogl – engineering office for landscape planning

Lake Neusiedl and its surrounding region are attractive in many respects and hence face an increasing pressure regarding spatial and settlement develpment, building areas at the waterside, recreation, culture and tourism, energy, economy, agriculture, nature protection etc.

In order to develop a coordinated strategy for the future development in the region, mecca is appointed to develop a “Master Plan Lake Neusiedl” based on a comprehensive regional analysis and the involvement of stakeholders, policy makers, interested public and other relevant organisations and institutions.

Since 2013, the Carinthian Legislation of Photovoltaic Arrays regulates the use of photovoltaics. Four years after its effective date, mecca evaluated the possibilities of project implementations, protection rules and different systems of regulation in a broad discussion process.

CEP (Courier, Express and Parcel)-Services are of increasing importance for urban supply. The demand for these services is expected to grow, mainly caused by the booming e-commerce market, but also by the increasing city population and the numbers of single households. But how is the economic development of the sector, what’s the CEP-Service’s importance regarding the business location and the urban development and what are the hot topics in the years to come? On behalf of the Vienna Economic Chamber, we are working on these and further questions together with the Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt).

project partner: Environment Agency Austria

Lower Austria has committed itself to reduce the energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions. Measures are defined in the NÖ Klima- und Energieprogramm 2020 (Lower Austria Climate and Energy Programme). They are consistent with European, Austrian and Lower Austrian climate protection measures.

The aim of the study commissioned by EVN is the question how regional and communal development and energy supply could be better coordinated in order to generate benefit regarding security of energy supply, energetic and economic efficiency, climate protection and minimising environmental impacts. mecca conducted a data analysis, and developed usage suggestions for model communities.

project partner: Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt)

The city of Schwechat has about 17,500 inhabitants. The increase of the population is approximately 1,000 people per year. Green and open spaces are essential for the quality of living in the city.

The project “Green City Schwechat” concentrates solely on green and open spaces and collaborates with citizens, the city government and politics. The most important questions are: “What role will green and open spaces play in the year 2050?” and “How do the citizens imagine Schwechat in der future?”. Possible answers to these questions are to be integrated in the city development process in order to find solutions for green, livable ans resilient cities.

project partners: Green City Lab Schwechat, township of Schwechat, LEADER region Römerland Carnuntum

Since a few years, there are ambitions to improve the cycle path along the river March and to find new routes, which are more suitable for touristic use. Since the new routes pass through ecologically sensitive areas, this entails certain nature conservation requirements. To meet these reqirements, a set of measures to safeguard the visitor guidance need to be undertaken and subsequently monitored regarding their efficiency.

In close cooperation with the concerned municipalities, we elaborate the necessary measures in detail (e.g. visitor information, enclosures…), define their location and outline them in a code of practice.

project partner: Karl Reiner (ÖAR)

The outdated wastewater treatment plants in Frauenkirchen and Podersdorf are to be replaced by a new, innovative approach, which fullfills along with the standard tasks of wastewater treatment new aspects by reusing wastewater as a pool of resources, which is in Austria and also internationally trendsetting (“NEW-facility”).

To implement the project, it is intended to seek funding by the EU LIFE programme: LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects. Together with the Vienna University of Technology, mecca takes care of the LIFE application.

project partner: Vienna University of Technology

Hannes Schaffer gives lectures at Vienna University of Technology for students in the fields of regional development and spatial planning.

Focus is on the develpment of rural areas and energy planning. The lectures are supplemented by field trips.

E_PROFIL is a set of methods (an IT-supported toolkit) for the elaboration of neighbourhood profiles. The aim of the project is to facilitate an energy and resource efficient development in the planning practice of Austrian cities. Furthermore, the project is an important asset for research and planning activities in Europe and can also be applied to other neighbourhoods.

project partners: Institute of Spatial Planning (Vienna University of Technology; Research Units: Urban and Regional Research, Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy), Department of Building Physics and Building Ecology (Vienna University of Technology), Research Institute of Urban Management and Governance (Vienna University of Economics and Business), City of Linz (Geschäftsbereich Planung, Technik und Umwelt), Linz AG, Ars Electronica Center, Linz

www.nachhaltigwirtschaften.at, www.eprofil.at

mecca produces two thematic maps on recycling in the Danube Region. One map shows the amount of waste material in more than 40 significant cities and sites withinin the Danube Region from Germany to the Ukraine.
The second map shows where recycling companies are settled in the Austrian Danube Region.

Since 2012, the Carinthian Legislation of Wind Power Sites regulates the use of windpower. Three years after its effective date, mecca evaluated the possibilities of legal project implementations, protection rules and different systems of regulation.

A missing transport link over the river March hinders the integrated development of the region Weinviertel – Zahorie despite similar economic and spatial preconditions. However, after a negative referendum, the planned bridge connecting Angern an der March and Záhorská Ves will not be built. In this project, we developed an alternative concept to enhance cross-border mobility.

Countries: AT, SK

„EXREN – EXplore REnewable ENergy“ is a cross-border project within the frame of ETC SK-AT. This project deals with the following challenges:

• (youth) unemployment and unavailable professionists…
• to enhance energy efficiency via awareness raising and establishing a regional network.

mecca assisted EXREN in identifying and adressing the relevant stakeholders as well as in etablishing a summer camp for teenagers.

The cross-border energy strategy for Burgenland and the bordering Hungarian counties Győr-Moson-Sopron, Vas and Zala analysed both the actual energetic condition as well as developable potentials for future cooperation and appropriate measures. The national and international policy background was researched and analysed too.

The cross-border study analyses both the current energy status as well as the resulting or developable future cooperation potentials between Burgenland and the self-governed region Trnava. Additionally the national policy background was researched and analysed.

Countries: AT, SK

Hannes Schaffer gave lectures on project management in environmental projects for students of the mastercourse “Environmental Technology & International Affairs”.

Students get an introduction to:

• Project management and controlling
• Project management tools
• International approach to environmental projects
• Communication in international projects

mecca supported the Government of Carinthia in the creation of the Regional Energy Concept for Upper Carinthia.  The goal is to use spatial planning to lay the groundwork for addressing critical questions facing Carinthia’s energy future. This should provide the basis for energy security through increasing the energy independence of Carinthia while at the same time improving the value added aspect by focusing on regional power generation. As results are gathered, they are to be used to develop a detailed energy concept in cooperation with the municipalities and key stakeholders.

The LEADER Region Southern Lower Austria has decided to become a climate and energy model region. mecca provides support to the region, in cooperation with the Energy Park Bruck an der Leitha, in submitting a funding application to the Climate and Energy Fund’s program “Climate and Energy Model Regions”.

project partner: Energiepark Bruck

A regional energy concept with a strong focus on practical relevance was developed over a 6 month period through involving key stakeholders in the region.
To ensure that the solutions presented are practical and feasible, mecca engaged in intensive discussions with local authorities, plant operators, companies and producers in the region.

The LEADER Region Römerland Carnuntum has decided to become a climate and energy model region. mecca provided support to the region, in cooperation with the Energy Park Bruck an der Leitha, in submitting a funding application to the Climate and Energy Fund’s program “Climate and Energy Model Regions”.

 A regional energy concept for the LEADER region Niederösterreich-Süd was prepared by Energiepark Bruck. mecca’s contributions include drafting a range of maps for improving the quality of presentation of all data concerning the following topics: energy production, wind power, geothermal energy, forestal biomass, agrarian biomass, photovoltaics and solar energy. Additionally, mecca coached the client in terms of public relations and moderated workshops.

project website: http://www.leader-noe-sued.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=39

MOVE is a cross-border EU project within the framework of ETC (European Territorial Cooperation) SI-AT. mecca provided support to the participating regions in Austria and Slovenia by preparing a SWOT analysis concerning renewable energy and energy efficiency. This analysis is intended to be utilised as an overview for the 55 MOVE network partners on the potentials, opportunities, risks, and challenges in terms of renewable energy within these 8 regions.

project website: http://www.move.si

The micro region Ebreichsdorf has decided to become a climate and energy model region. mecca provided support to the region, in cooperation with the Energy Park Bruck an der Leitha, in submitting a funding application to the Climate and Energy Fund’s program “Climate and Energy Model Regions” and assisted in developing the implementation concept, based on which a model region management is to be established on site.

The main challenges of this region are:
–   Increase of energy efficiency
–   Energy self-sufficience
–   More mobility with less individual traffic

project partner: Energiepark Bruck, Regional Development Association for the Industrieviertel Region -Project Management (REVI PM)

The state government of Carinthia wants to foster academic and extracurricular activities in environmental education. mecca prepared a feasibility study to analyse organisational and content-related aspects of these activities in order to stengthen cooperation and networking of all key stakeholders.

Project partner: LWK Civil Engineer GmbH, Austrian Ecology Institute, Vienna

Although mobility is one of the key issues that needs to be addressed in order to achieve national and international climate protection targets, it has been disregarded in a regional context. The project ClimateMOBIL analyses the ability of regions to manage mobility in terms of energy efficiency, as well as issues related to climate protection in rural areas. Action research or working in cooperation with existing structures and models in order to develop strategies for sustainable mobility management is the primary research method utilised in this project.  mecca’s research partners are: Energy Park Bruck on the Leitha, Mobility Central Burgenland and the Upper Austria Transit Authority

The project result is a standardised requirements catalogue for a successful mobility management, which clearly contributes to environment protection and energy efficiency.

project partner: Vienna University of Technology (Institute of Transportation, Research Center of Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering), Austrian Ecology Institute Vienna, Austrian Energy Agency

A regional energy concept for the LEADER region Römerland Carnuntum was prepared by Energy Park Bruck an der Leitha. mecca’s contributions include drafting a range of maps for improving the quality of presentation of data concerning the following topics: energy production, wind power, geothermal energy, forestal biomass, agrarian biomass, photovoltaics and solar energy. Additionally, mecca coached the client in public relations activities and moderated workshops.

project website: http://www.energiepark.at/start.html

The project aims at developing tools for measuring the energy efficiency of existing and planned settlements, including the type of building development, location-dependent traffic relations and energy supply. Based on these findings, spatial planning instruments are assessed concerning their effects on energy efficiency and recommendations for measures are being made.

Project Website: http://www.energieeffizientesiedlung.at

project partner: Austrian Institute for Regional Studies (ÖIR) and Spatial Planning, pos Architects

As a part of a pan-regional effort to develop a master plan for urban development, mecca drafted a set of planning atlases for the city of Santana in the Romanian Banat region. The atlases display Santana’s current situation based on large scale measures of European standards at both a local and a regional level. It also displays the current and future opportunities for Santana’s development. The collection was prepared in English and Romanian.

As part of the preliminary proceedings of the environmental impact assessment S3 Weinviertler Schnellstraße Hollabrunn Süd – Guntersdorf an expert assessment was provided on the topics of landscape, leisure and recreation as well as people, communities and businesses.

REGIO Energy analyses feasible potentials of renewable energy in all administrative districts in Austria for 2012 and 2020. Before the project began, the technical and reduced technical potential for renewable energy was documented and analysed. The effects of bureaucratic requirements and spatial planning on these potentials play a major role in the projects.

For the first time, the energy potential from renewable sources such as biomass, wind power and geothermics has been measured in Eastern Austria. Utlitising GIS modelling software, the energy potential from areas as small as municipalities and micro regions has been graphically displayed. This tool will act as an important asset for regions developing their future energy policies. This project was successfully developed by engaging in focused and regular communication with all key stakeholders.

Based on activities like the academic course on renewable energy in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the already existing local networks, the region of Bruck an der Leitha is to be established as a centre for sustainable energy systems with its primary focus on the CEE region. The project consisted of 3 essential components:

• Development and coordination of qualification offers
• Applied research in cooperation with the project partners
• Consulting and energy services

project partner: Energy Centre Bratislava, Municipality Bruck an der Leitha, University of Mosonmagyarovar (HU)

website: http://www.energyprojects.at