Consistently hitting the top spot in Mercer’s Quality of Living rankings, the Austrian capital boasts fresh air like no other. In 2020 Vienna was named the world’s greenest city, being home to the highest proportion of green spaces of any European city. Vienna’s status as a leader in sustainability is thanks to the commitment of its residents to protecting its environment: It is internationally recognized as a capital of conservation and an eco-pioneer in numerous areas including water supply, waste management and air quality.

By the same token, Vienna has made huge strides in its smart city transformation, using some of the latest technologies available to enhance and modernize mobility and infrastructure, but also focusing on social impact and the role of corporations. Austria, as one of Europe’s biggest spenders on R&D, has built its reputation as an innovation hub with its capital city at the fore. Vienna’s vibrant start-up ecosystem is reflected in the annual ViennaUP event, the largest of its kind in central and eastern Europe and which encourages exchanges between the City Council, corporations, entrepreneurs, incubators and universities.