The Hop & Mop project was developed by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), supported by several universities and organizations, and funded by the Austrian Climate Research Project. The initiative aims to develop and analyze a prototype for a "Mini block" around school streets in three Austrian cities: Vienna, Salzburg, and Golling.
Co-Creating Greener Urban Spaces
Throughout the project, Primary School students worked diligently to identify local challenges, share perspectives, and co-design thoughtful solutions for the communities around them.
In a collaborative co-creation process, VIS students teamed up with a group of Secondary students from the Japanese International School, parents, teachers, researchers, and urban planning experts. Together, they presented and discussed their visions for the school surroundings with Mr. Hinterholzer from the Vienna City Office and Mr. Reza Yeganegi, the coordinator of the IIASA project.
Empowering Young Decision-Makers
The presentations highlighted remarkable creativity and teamwork, underscoring the importance of giving young people a voice in shaping the future of our cities. Our students felt truly empowered by acting as decision-makers, proposing changes to make our outside community infrastructure greener, more accessible, and better equipped with alternatives for the people who live and work in the area.
We are grateful to IIASA and all project partners for creating meaningful opportunities that connect education, community, and real-world impact, helping our students take active roles in planning a more sustainable future.