The European Union
AUSTRIA: "HUB VIENNA"
As a theme center for urban environmental technologies the Best Practices Hub Vienna is also a point of contact for queries and incentives concerning urban environmental technologies worldwide. With the help of the UNCHS (Habitat) Best Practices Network, the Best Practices Hub Vienna is able to mediate between municipalities seeking solutions and the experts providing them. In addition, the Best Practices Hub Vienna is responsible for preparing seminars and conferences for the different co-operations. Categories include:
- Housing & Urban Development
- Environment & Infrastructure
- Economy & Employment
- Transparent Administration
- Participation & Empowerment
- Gender Mainstreaming
AUSTRIA: "Municipal Energy Plan - City of Graz"
The Municipal Energy Plan of the city of Graz, Austria (KEK Graz) aims at a 50% reduction of CO2-emissions by 2010. The program is designed to simultaneously improve the environment and stimulate the economy. The plan has been under preparation since the summer of 1994 and is intended as an action orientated program which goes beyond traditional concepts. The key question is, how measures can be put into practice successfully:
The effort is not limited to the evaluation of data and of technical energy saving potentials. The focus is rather on the detailed analysis of measures, barriers and instruments to overcome these barriers. Pilot projects and action programs have been part of the project from the very beginning.
Five teams of representatives from utilities, local authorities, companies, NGOs, etc. were formed to organize the process of working out the concept, the projects and the action plan in a collaborative way. Besides strong regulatory instruments - such as the compulsory use of district heating and restrictions for the use of fossil fuels in certain areas of Graz - the development of concrete projects with utilities and other institutions are a necessary component of the plan.
To download the full paper, please go to the ECEEE Library: