Multifunctional root space

Overview

Project processing:
Erwin Murer, Anna Zeiser, Peter Strauss

Client and project partner:
Federal Secondary College for Horticulture Schönbrunn (HBLFA)
Province of Styria
Vienna City Council (MA22 and MA42)
3:0 Landscape Architecture
Association LandSchafftWasser

Brief Description:

The activities of this project include two test facilities in Graz (Gradnerstrasse) and Vienna (Jägerhausgasse). In Graz, a field test will be set up in a state road with a sidewalk and bicycle path, while in Vienna tree lysimeters will be constructed or modified. The aim of the project is to improve the retention and evaporation performance under the boundary conditions of the different plants and substrates. In the Jägerhausgasse (Vienna) as well as in the Gradnerstrasse (Graz) a so-called sponge city substrate will be constructed as a rootable and retention capable substructure. The sponge city substrate is composed using sustainable and regional components (compost, plant charcoal, sand and chippings or gravel) and tested for its suitability as a multifunctional rooting space (tree location and retention space for water). Not only the water balance and the quality of the leachate are examined, but also the vitality and development of the tree stands.