Cities play a special role with regard to a successful transformation of our energy and mobility system. In global terms, our cities are responsible for 78 percent of energy consumption and around 75 percent of CO2 emissions. Due to the high level of energy consumption and the limited availability of land for energy conversion, the transformation of the energy supply is significantly more complex and challenging than in rural areas. Against this background, it is essential that city-specific transformation plans are drawn up, that stakeholders and citizens are involved and that the objectives of a future energy supply are fixed by means of binding urban development concepts. Some Austrian cities as well as numerous other European cities have already established transformation concepts and are guided and supported by national as well as international programs. In Austria, “Climate-Neutral City” and “Pioneer Cities” are examples for such programs, on the European level the program “100 European Climate-Neutral Cities by 2030” is in place.

The focus of the “nachhaltige technologien” issue 02-2023 provides insight into these programs, presents transformation roadmaps of exemplary cities and reports on experiences gained with regard to citizens and stakeholders actively contributing to urban transformation processes.