Why Vienna is rated Best City in the World to Live - yes it is liberal, European, young & musical (like Eurovision)

A cool look at contemporary Vienna, beyond the clichés. This is a tour designed for locals, which explores the criteria for liveability, and how you begin to rank one metropolis against another. And why Vienna scores so highly.

Ranked #1 worldwide for liveability by Mercer Consulting, every year from 2010-23, but now in second place behind Zürich, Vienna is the fastest-growing capital city in the EU, across 15 years. How has the administration managed to combine fast growth with high-quality living? We’ll discuss the concept of a Smart City, and attractive local features like Danube-swimming, cheap tasty eats, and social housing politics. We present copy-paste ideas for other cities to use.

How is the city creatively responding to the challenges of modern life? What remains of the Red Vienna socialist project from the 1920s?

Why do so few Viennese believe that they live in the best city in the world? The reasons many travellers come to our city are often dusty and kitsch, but we want to show a dynamic, progressive, fast-changing city far away from the waltzing, chocolate cake cliches. The criteria used to measure this new science of liveability include: culture, media freedom, weather, housing prices, air quality, wi-fi speed, connectedness to other cities, infrastructure, education system, economic stability, freedom, crime rates, parks, healthcare, architecture, mobility, food scene, architecture and beauty, ideas, networks, location, green space and social innovation, plus social housing. and food.

This is a critical look at a place which has changed more than many visitors (and locals) realise. But the Austrian capital has retained its cosiness and now specialises in finding innovative new uses for beautiful, old buildings. Let's celebrate a big city that still respects its citizens, and makes life easy.

'This is the most original, and most-visited, walk Whoosh offers - and one of the first in the world which offers an insight into the complex and abstract idea of liveability, in an entertaining and useful tour through the new Vienna', says walk leader Eugene Quinn.

We specially welcome singles on the walk, since our events are lively and interactive, and the provocations presented mean the group quickly engages in debate among strangers.

Urban Explorer: Eugene Quinn +43 680 1254 354

Fully accessible for all. We walk in every weather. End is in Mariahilf, Lehargasse.