Krakow and Vienna team up to fight climate change

Viennese Mayor Michael Ludwig stated that the future of the EU lies in its cities

The Mayor of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski signed a cooperation agreement with Viennese Mayor Michael Ludwig on 29 June 2021. The two cities will cooperate closely on issues such as climate protection, public transport and traffic.

The two cities - the Austrian capital and the second-largest city in Poland - extended their existing agreement from 2017. In the new paradigm, Vienna and Krakow want to exchange know-how at the political and expert level, among other things, in the areas of public transport, urban planning and securing municipal services of general interest.

The future of the European Union lies in the cities

Mayor Ludwig of Vienna who is also president of the Austrian city league doubled down on his position that the future of the European Union lies in its cities.

According to a statement he made on Facebook, cities are political players, pioneers and sometimes even world leaders when it comes to tackling the challenges of our time, such as climate change and the housing crisis.

This is why the agreement focuses on collaboration for environmental and climate protection, energy efficiency and measures to adapt to climate change. This only strengthens the two cities position as leaders in the emerging context of the new decade, focused on the green and digital transition.

Mayor Majchrowski has been focusing on facilitating this shift towards a city adapted to the issues of the 21st century during his 19-year tenure as mayor of Krakow.

"I am pleased to be able to deepen the good cooperation with this new agreement," emphasized Mayor Ludwig on Facebook when signing. Krakow's mayor Majchrowski took the opportunity to invite his colleague to visit his city in return.

The longest cycling route in Europe

The two cities share the longest cycling route in Europe, extending for about 700 km. The route starts in the city of Krakow and passes through the Czech Republic on its way to Austria. The Krakow-Moravia-Vienna route connects nature reserves historical sites and local communities in the three countries.

It runs through predominantly flat terrain with rolling hills and only a handful of steep slopes.