Dear participants of REAL CORP 2026!

On behalf of the City of Vienna, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all! I am delighted that such important topics as urban planning and regional development are on the agenda of such a high-profile conference. International exchange is the best way to tackle global challenges that affect us all equally.

This applies in particular to the impact of revolutionary modern technologies and AI in particular. It is no coincidence that the central research question of REAL CORP 2026 is whether these innovations will really change everything, including modern metropolises such as Vienna.

We are already feeling this change in our everyday lives: for example, more and more administrative procedures in Vienna can be completed digitally; the BRISE project, for example, is making building permit procedures paperless, faster, more efficient, more sustainable and more transparent. In addition, Vienna has become an AI innovation centre.

This process is guided by the principle of “digital humanism” – in other words, progress should make everyday life easier. The focus is on people, not progress.

In this context, education will become a key resource. Our industrial societies are transforming into knowledge societies. That is why it is so important to set the course now for the best possible preparation of our children and young people so that they are ready for the growing challenges of the digital world.

In addition, it will be important to focus even more than before on international exchange. Especially in times of national solo efforts and protectionism, it is important to keep multinational forums for communication and cooperation open. After all, science and innovation are only truly stimulated by encounters on an equal footing and by learning from each other.

That is why I am very pleased that REAL CORP 2026, a major international conference, is taking a close look at the characteristics and effects of these fundamental transformations. Especially now – when change is already becoming apparent – it is important and necessary to develop ideas about where and how far we as societies want to go. We must not allow ourselves to be driven by this innovation process, but must shape it ourselves with social awareness and clear objectives.

REAL CORP 2026 is making an invaluable contribution in this regard. I am very excited to see the results and wish you all a successful and, above all, insightful conference!

Michael Ludwig, Mayor and Governor of Vienna

Our cities and regions stand at the threshold of a profound transformation. Climate change, demographic shifts, digitalisation, and evolving patterns of work and mobility are reshaping how we live, work, and move. Cities and regions are therefore central arenas for safeguarding quality of life, advancing sustainability, and strengthening social cohesion for all citizens.

Our shared goal is to create resilient, inclusive, and liveable urban environments. Research, technology, and innovation play a key role in achieving this objective. They provide essential tools for integrated spatial planning, enable evidence-based decision-making, and support sustainable solutions in areas such as energy, mobility, infrastructure, and public spaces. Strategic investment in research and innovation is indispensable to steering this transformation in a forward-looking and responsible manner.

Integrated neighbourhood and district development is a particularly powerful lever in this context. By linking spatial, social, ecological, and economic dimensions, it enables complex challenges to be addressed holistically and makes the benefits of transformation tangible for citizens. Well-designed integrated neighbourhoods can serve as showcases for innovation, foster social cohesion, and act as key building blocks for sustainable urban and regional development.

In this spirit, I warmly welcome REAL CORP 2026 to Vienna. With its focus on integrated urban and regional development, the conference provides an important platform for international exchange and brings the discussion to the Vienna Otto-Wagner-Areal – a place that exemplifies transformation, innovation, a vibrant architectural culture, and the close connection between research, technology, and urban planning.

KommR Peter Hanke, Federal Minister of Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure