„Smart City“ refers to a city which combines a high quality of life with climate protection and resource efficiency. What are the specific measures that the planning department envisages to push the “Smart City” approach in Graz?
To do this we deploy a variety of packages (energy, mobility,  quality of architecture, providing public open space and parks, citizen participation, …), which are defined in line with the specific requirements of the project in question; for implementation they are subsequently incorporated in binding contracts.

Consuming less energy but maintaining quality of life, consumption and mobility – how is that supposed to work?
Investigations show that if a residential area is developed compactly, with adequate public-transport links and proper infrastructure, this has a favourable effect on the modal split (how people move around). The technological innovations tested in the pilot projects are intended to improve energy efficiency considerably. Involving local agents alongside this is meant to spread awareness of the opportunities available with these new technologies.

Which pioneering technologies and services will be particularly important in future when “smart” urban districts are taking shape?
User-friendly technological applications make a sustainable modal split possible (car-sharing fleets, electric bicycles, information management in public transport). Applications for building services lower running costs. Monitoring functions (apps) reveal how much each separate measure can contribute to saving energy and reducing CO₂ emissions.