Nineteen Vorarlberg municipalities still lack play-space plans

Nineteen of Vorarlberg’s 96 municipalities still do not have a play-space concept, ORF reported Saturday. Since the state’s Play-Space Act was introduced in 2009, municipalities have been required to identify where children and young people can play and where additional play and open spaces are needed.

At the start of 2024, 27 municipalities lacked such a plan. Eight have since adopted one or begun working on one with funding approval. According to the state’s Department of Spatial Planning and Building Law, 77 municipalities now either have a play-space concept or are preparing one on that basis.

The municipalities without a concept are Blons, Brand, Buch, Bürs, Bürserberg, Dalaas, Dünserberg, Eichenberg, Lingenau, Ludesch, Möggers, Raggal, Riefensberg, Röns, Schwarzenberg, Sonntag, St. Gerold, Thüringen and Warth. Most are smaller municipalities. The absence of a concept does not mean they have no playgrounds.

No deadline or penalties

The law sets no deadline for municipal councils to adopt a play-space concept, and it provides no sanctions for municipalities that do not have one.

However, the absence of a concept can have consequences for larger housing developments. Buildings with at least four apartments must generally include a play area for older children. Building authorities can waive this requirement under certain conditions, such as when a suitable public playground is nearby.

Municipalities without a play-space concept cannot use that exception. Even if a public playground is close by, a required play area in a housing project cannot simply be replaced with a compensatory payment.

Examples from Lustenau and Andelsbuch

The state also points to municipalities that have extensively implemented their play-space concepts. In Lustenau, public spaces are increasingly being viewed as places for play and development, including natural areas such as the Old Rhine.

According to the state, Andelsbuch has created play opportunities along important everyday routes. In Montafon, eight municipalities jointly developed a play and open-space concept and involved schoolchildren in the planning process.

There is currently no up-to-date state-wide assessment of how well residents are served by publicly accessible playgrounds and open spaces.