On July 7th, experts from
viadonau, the DANUBEPARKS Association, National Park Donau-Auen, the University
of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) and the engineering
company RIOCOM sat together to discuss the requirements and expectations for
the planning of the restoration actions at the Paradeisinsel island complex in
Austria.
After the meeting in
Schloss Orth, the experts visited the project site to discuss the
revitalization aims, current settings and practical technical possibilities on
field.
The Danube4all projects
includes the restoration of one of the most spectacular island complexes in the
Donau-Auen National Park, Austria as one of its pilot measures in the Upper
Danube. The intention is to remove about 2 km of embankment and adapt the
groynes and navigation infrastructure upstream the island. The restoration
measures are inspired by and in full synergy with the WILDisland concept and
aim to re-dynamize that riparian section and free the river flow. The experts
discussed the expected outcomes and ways to optimize the anticipated
conservation impact, the timeline of the planning process, as well as all the
aspects, which also need to be taken into consideration – synergies, similar
projects and co-creation.
The action will take place
within the Donau-Auen National Park and once the planning is completed,
construction will be done by viadonau, the Austrian waterway operator.
RIOCOM is the company, which won the
tender to prepare the technical plans for the up-coming construction works. It
is a company, which develops ideas on how to give more space back to rivers
together with river authorities and riparian communities. They are experienced
in river revitalization, risk management, high-water protection and modelling,
their engineers understand the language of ecologists and conservationists and
we are counting on them to assist in bringing all interests into harmony. They
are also working on the nearby Schwalbeninsel complex within the WILDisland
project, which guarantees they will use their experience to develop the two
project sites in full synergy and in line with the conservation expectations.
Once the planning is complete at the end of the year, the documents will be submitted to the relevant authorities for approval, so that the construction works can start earliest at the end of 2024.
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For more information about DANUBE4all project, visit: https://www.danube4allproject.eu/