Krakow and Vienna sign cooperation agreement

Mayor Michael Ludwig welcomed a delegation from Krakow headed by Mayor Aleksander Miszalski to Vienna City Hall on 8 April 2025.

In addition to signing a renewed cooperation programme, the delegation from Krakow undertook a comprehensive programme with a focus on urban development, housing and public transport.

"Vienna and Krakow have a lot in common. Both cities are proud of their longstanding traditions and rich cultural heritage. At the same time, both cities are undergoing many changes. Therefore, we can learn a lot from each other and address the challenges we are facing in a common Europe with innovative ideas. The close cooperation between Vienna and Krakow is a good example of how this can work. We have had cooperation agreements for 24 years, have implemented countless projects at specialist level, and have exchanged knowledge and experiences", said Mayor Michael Ludwig when welcoming the delegation.

Continuing the longstanding partnership

The first cooperation agreement between Vienna and Krakow was signed in 2000 and has since been renewed every four years. After 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021, the agreement has been renewed for the sixth time this year. In the preamble, both cities commit to continuing and expanding the cooperation for the wellbeing of the citizens of both cities. The agreement also contributes to implementing the goals set out in the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The delegation from Krakow was particularly interested in acquiring knowledge on Vienna's experiences in the area of underground railway construction as Krakow is planning to build an underground train system. Krakow also considers Vienna as a role model in the field of social housing.

Comprehensive programme

The 3-day programme included a visit of the U2/U5 information centre to learn more about the extension of the two underground lines, a visit of the urban development area Seestadt Aspern with a focus on social housing, an exchange at specialist level with Wien Holding and Wiener Stadtwerke, and a comprehensive presentation on the urban development area Otto Wagner Areal. In addition, the delegation visited an architecture exhibition on the topic of "Modernism in Krakow" currently shown at the Ringturm Exhibition Centre.

Mayor Aleksander Miszalski headed the delegation from Krakow that also included First Deputy Mayor Stanislaw Mazur, Fourth Deputy Mayor Maria Klaman, and Boguslaw Kosmider, President of the Management Board of Krakowski Holding Komunalny. Mayor Miszalski took office on 7 May 2024.

Krakow - Poland's second largest city

Krakow is the second largest city in Poland with a population of 800,000 people. It is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Poland. There are 22 universities and about 170,000 students in Krakow. 45 years ago, the historic centre of the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Krakowski Holding Komunalny is actively cooperating with Wien Holding GmbH and Wiener Stadtwerke.

Since October 2020, the cooperation has been intensified significantly. The Krakowski Holding Komunalny and the Wiener Stadtwerke signed two major cooperation agreements in the areas of energy, mobility, and IT. In addition, the Krakowski Holding Komunalny and Wien Holding signed a cooperation agreement on the 5G expansion in Krakow. The two cities have also worked together on EU projects and have established collaborations between universities and research institutions.