Vienna, Austria, is world-renowned for its music, arts, and classical architecture. In recent years, the city has also focused on smart city initiatives and sustainable urban development to address climate change and modern housing needs. New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih, leading a delegation from the city government, visited Vienna's Seestadt Aspern and the New Danube district near the historic city center to draw lessons from the “world's most livable city” as valuable references for New Taipei's own new town development.

Mayor Hou noted that Vienna has been ranked the “world's most livable city” for many years, not only for its convenience and efficiency in urban development but also for its core values of sustainability, people-centered planning, and housing justice. He pointed out that Vienna actively promotes transit-oriented development (TOD) and the concept of a “15-minute city,” while also transforming flood-control projects into ecological and recreational corridors, balancing disaster prevention with quality of life. Furthermore, through subsidies and rent control, Vienna ensures that around 60% of its residents benefit from social housing and affordable housing, making it possible for the majority of citizens to enjoy reasonable housing costs. Hou emphasized that while cultural contexts differ between countries, the shared commitment to caring for people—especially the disadvantaged—is a universal value that New Taipei can learn from.


 Mayor Hou highlighted the similarities between Seestadt Aspern and New Taipei's Wenzizun New Town

Seestadt Aspern is one of Europe's largest urban development projects, covering 240 hectares on a former industrial site and often described as Vienna's “future city laboratory.” The project centers on a metro line, driving transit-oriented development, and integrates residential, commercial, public facilities, and social housing. It also employs smart city sensing systems, strengthens accessibility and elderly-friendly features, and promotes low-carbon commuting. Hou highlighted the similarities between Seestadt Aspern and New Taipei's Wenzizun New Town, which is being developed alongside the Airport MRT and light rail systems. The plan includes redesigning road networks, developing residential, commercial, educational, medical, and public facilities, building social housing, and creating a riverside park along Guizikeng Creek that combines recreation, flood control, and ecological functions. In the future, the nearby Xinzhuang Sub-Center and Xisheng Industrial Park will together with Wenzizun form a dynamic framework for integrated residential and industrial growth.

The New Danube district originated as part of flood-control efforts, with the construction of an artificial water channel and a 21-kilometer-long artificial island. Beyond enhancing disaster resilience, it has successfully transformed into an international waterfront district that blends residential, commercial, and ecological functions. The area is connected by metro, promotes car-free streets and low-carbon mobility, and features leisure amenities such as water sports and outdoor theaters. Hou observed that just as Vienna has the Danube River running through it, New Taipei also enjoys abundant waterfront resources with the Dahan, Xindian, and Tamsui rivers, and faces similar challenges in developing new districts while revitalizing older ones. He stated that New Taipei will draw on the successful model of the New Danube, integrating flood-control infrastructure with green and recreational spaces. In addition to the Xindian Shisizhang Zone Expropriation, which is being developed around two MRT lines, New Taipei will continue to make full use of its riverfront resources to create a more international, livable city.

The New Taipei City Government emphasized that during this visit to Vienna's new town developments, the delegation gained innovative insights on housing justice, people-centered transportation, low-carbon living, and eco-friendly urban-rural development. The city said these experiences will guide New Taipei toward becoming a livable, sustainable, and resilient international city, enabling residents to share a better living environment as urban progress continues.


Mayor Hou, leading a delegation from the city government, visited Vienna's Seestadt Aspern and the New Danube district near the historic city center to draw lessons from the “world's most livable city”