“Sustainable development aims at meeting the needs of the current generation without endangering the desire of future ones to satisfy their own requirements.” This is how the Department of the Environment in the City of Graz defines its thoughts on the topic of sustainable urban planning. Keeping the ecological, economic and social processes within urban development in harmony has a positive impact on residents, business owners and tourism in the short and long term. Even if a sustainable city is not necessarily immediately recognisable.
When a city embraces sustainability, it is primarily noticeable in a different mindset, in projects, in ideas that focus on the future and resources and in innumerable small (and large) mosaic stones. There are many – private and public – initiatives in Graz that highlight the willingness to adopt sustainable practices in a green city. Did you know that Graz won an award for its ‘veggie lifestyle’ in 2022? An analysis run by the holidu.at online portal ranked the capital of green Styria in third place for Austria: Residents of Graz love a vegan and vegetarian diet and generate considerable demand for relevant products and services. Graz also scores highly for tourism due to its contemporary and responsible practices: A 2023 ranking by checkfelix places Graz third for ‘responsible travellers’. Worldwide.
The ‘2023 City Index for Responsible Traveler’ by the travel search engine checkfelix examined 167 cities from 63 countries around the world according to 28 factors, including questions about climate-friendly travel (rail), whether the airport is CO₂-certified and how easy it is to use public transport in each city. Cycling lanes and footpaths, air quality, the potability of tap water, initiatives and experiences that are indicative of environmentally conscious habits – such as a vibrant local community, shopping at local markets or in second-hand stores – also featured in this ranking. All of these aspects make a visit to the city liveable and attractive for sustainability-minded tourists and prove furthermore that responsible living is already firmly enshrined in everyday life for the people of Graz themselves.
However, such pleasing results must always build on and start with the determination of those entrusted with responsibility (for the city), the attitude and commitment of exemplary citizens and ultimately the ‘determination to contribute’ among all residents of Graz. A platform such as ‘Sustainable in Graz’ (link https:/
Visit the glossary on our website to learn more about trend topics relating to sustainable living and housing (Link https:/