Dr Wendelin Wanka, Chief Executive Office of Vienna City INTEGRATIVE CITY DEVELOPMENT - VIENNA EXAMPLES (Page 1) Even though cities do have a lot in common, they are nevertheless all unique in their history and cultural heritage, their geographical setting, their population and economy. But integrative city development has to take these and more factors into account. Shortly I am going to present to you the strategy we have developed in Vienna leading to integrative city development. First of all let me make a few general remarks about Vienna and related topics defined by the hosts of this conference. The city covers 415 square kilometres and has 1.7 million inhabitants of which are roughly 18% foreigners, the bulk coming from the former Yugoslavia, Turkey and neighbouring countries. Integration of immigrant population groups is already a first example of integrative city development which has at the same time preserved the existing social structures. Vienna is situated in the very east of Austria within a mere 1 hour drive to the Czech- and Slovak Republic and Hungary respectively. As you all know, for many centuries up to the end of the First World War, Vienna was a centre of Europe and the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire with more than two million inhabitants at the peak of its development. Vienna today presents itself as a mixture of culture and business. Vienna is also an important hub for business with Eastern countries and the seat of many international organisations. As far as tourism is concerned Vienna is - after London, Paris and Rome - the fourth most visited city in Europe. It is worth to mention that Vienna has one of the smallest crime rates world wide. Vienna enjoys a high quality of live, more than 50% of the area is green with parks and greenbelts, Vienna is most likely the only major city world wide with a national park on its and surrounding areas, this 50 km long swamp region is the last wetland of its kind in Europe. You can safely breathe the air and drink water from the tap. The water is springing straight from the heart of an unpolluted mountain 150 km south west of the city. And the Danube island in the middle of the river Danube is 20 km long and one of the principal sport and entertainment attractions. Combining and safeguarding the facts which make a big city live with the protection of the environment taking into account, the rising leisure time of the population and the need to create recreational areas is another good example of integrative city development. A few words about the organisational structure of the city: Vienna is a city and a federal Land at the same time. The highest authority is the Vienna City Council with 100 members elected by the Viennese population for five years. All important decisions are taken by this body, inter alia urban decisions on infrastructural planning such as the Vienna Strategic Plan [2000] and the Urban Development Scheme [1994]. The Mayor is at the same time Governor of Vienna. Decentralisation was initiated in the mid-eighties following the principle of what a lower level can do better, should do. Vienna is divided into 23 districts which remain part of the municipality of Vienna. They receive funds from the municipal budget, around 1.6% of the total budget and are only required to cover the operating expenses for the tasks delegated to them. The districts are responsible for instance for construction and maintenance of streets, parks and playgrounds. A bit about the share of powers in Austria. Essential and politically relevant tasks are performed by the state. The Republic in turn is divided into nine federal provinces - the Länder - which are also vested with legislative and executive competencies. Municipalities are the smallest units in the state organisation and as such have no legislative powers, they are, however, entitled to issue regulations. But please note again that Vienna is a city and federal province. All three public bodies are regional authorities responsible for designated governmental functions and for the citizens living on their territory. The Austrian constitution builds on the principle of separation of powers which means that administration and legislation - by the National Council and the Provincial Diets - are treated separately at all instances and levels. Jurisdiction is always considered a federal matter, however. Municipalities are self-governing bodies which means they have their own sphere of competence clearly defined and guaranteed to them by the federal constitution. Self-government is a type of decentralised indirect administration characterised by the fact that it fulfils its competence guaranteed to it by law or by constitution. . more