Vienna wins UNESCO Smart City Award

Vienna's inclusive housing policy is global best practise. In 2020, this has also been acknowledged by UNESCO.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Netexplo, an organisation researching innovations and forward-looking scenarios, have honoured 10 cities worldwide that have distinguished themselves in key areas of society. Vienna received the award for its "innovative, intelligent, connected and decidedly sustainable" housing policy.

The jury primarily considered the cities' answers on issues such as finding a balance between population growth and the wellbeing of citizens.

Mayor Michael Ludwig expressed his delight on winning the award: "This award is another high-ranking international recognition of our smart housing policies and confirms our commitment to the consistent implementation of the Smart City Wien Strategy. Improving the quality of housing and living for all citizens of Vienna has always been the focus of our policies. This award is an incentive for us to further enhance these positive developments."

Other award winners

In addition to Vienna, the following cities, among others, received a Smart City Award: Shenzhen in China for its innovative transport network, Dakar in Senegal for becoming an African benchmark for education, Singapore for being on track to achieving its goal of reducing CO₂ emissions, and Tallinn in Estonia for its digital transformation.

Pandemic prevents award ceremony

The award ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. The award was sent to Mayor Michael Ludwig through the office of Ernst Woller, First President of the Vienna Provincial Parliament.