Increased cooperation between Vienna and Prague

A trip to Prague from 5 to 6 March by the Chief Executive Office of the Vienna City Administration focused on the major challenges and future issues for European city administrations. During the dialogue with high-level Prague executives, the topics ranged from human resources and investment projects to sustainability. The successful dialogue will now serve as a basis for further projects between the capitals.

Chief Executive Director Dietmar Griebler and his media spokesman, Stefan Leeb, took part in a packed programme in the Czech capital after an official reception at the New Town Hall building. Prague counterparts and their guests from Vienna visited the municipal departments, the city parliament and the historic seat of the city administration in the Old Town Hall.

From climate to administration

Topics such as sustainability were first discussed at the Prague Botanical Garden, which, like the City of Vienna, has its own vineyard. The guests from Vienna were given an insight into the climate change-related measures that Prague has already taken and learnt about the challenges the city faces in the future. The winery is located in one of the warmest parts of the city. A discussion on transport and leisure investment projects as well as about securing funding with Prague's Municipal Director and the Deputy Director for Spatial Planning took place afterwards.

The next day's agenda included a tour of the administration of the 65-member City Parliament, followed by a visit to the Prague City Council's crisis unit. The crisis unit analyses hundreds of sources in real time so that the responsible officials can coordinate the most important city and emergency services at all times. Some of the information analysed is also available to the public. Officials from both cities decided to continue their professional exchange in this area.

Cooperation between Prague and Vienna

The visit is only the beginning of a lively exchange between the two capitals in 2024. Discussions can be further deepened at the meeting of five Central European Chief Executive Directors in Bratislava at the end of March. In addition, several bilateral projects between Vienna and Prague have been finalised and will be implemented by the City of Vienna's International Offices. A mobility workshop and the Vienna Science Days in Prague for experts from both cities are on the agenda as well as further reciprocal political visits.