Vienna hosts mayors from around the world

Vienna became a mayor metropolis this July, as one hundred city leaders and officials from over 50 countries gathered for their annual forum. Over three days, the Austrian capital presented its achievements in the field of urban development and provided a platform for discussions on common challenges and the exchange of practical solutions.

From Addis Abada to Antwerp, Medellín to Malé and Brisbane to Boulder, mayors from all over the world met in Vienna this summer.

Under the theme of "Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Local Solutions, Global Impact", the municipal politicians discussed topics including affordable housing, energy provision, water management, and digital transformation.

Speaking at the forum, Vienna's mayor, Michael Ludwig, said that cities are at the forefront when it comes to tackling the pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to social inclusion.

"As a city recognised for its innovative urban development strategies and commitment to sustainability, Vienna sees itself as a role model for others around the world", he added. "The Mayors Forum offers us the opportunity to learn from each other and share experiences - and to demonstrate that local solutions can truly have a global impact."

World Cities Summit

The Mayors Forum forms part of the World Cities Summit, an international platform for government officials, urban planners, researchers, and business experts which is held every second year in Singapore.

At this event the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, which honours outstanding achievements and contributions to the creation of liveable, vibrant and sustainable urban communities, is awarded. Vienna, as the winner of the 2020 prize, hosted the 2025 Mayors Forum.

This year's event was chaired by Singapore's Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat, who emphasised the shared responsibility of cities and the opportunities for dialogue.

"Even though every city operates in a different context, we all face similar challenges", he said. "Platforms like this forum enable us to learn from each other and jointly develop practical, innovative solutions that make our cities more sustainable and liveable for everyone."

Program highlights

Interactive sessions focused on key themes, which included reliable and efficient municipal services, affordable housing, the urban energy transition, and sustainable water management.

While most meetings were held at Vienna City Hall, delegates also had the opportunity to see firsthand some of the city's pioneering projects of the past, present and future.

An historical and ongoing example of a successful social housing project was presented through an excursion to the Karl-Marx-Hof in Vienna's 19^th district, while the future of urban development in a sustainable and climate-friendly format was observed in Donaustadt's Seestadt.

A trip to the Nordbahnhofviertel offered an insight into the successful conversion of industrial land into a district where residents can live, study and relax, and the combination of recreational space and a flood protection system was observed on the Danube Island.