Austrian local authorities improving communication with their citizens
Local authorities in Austria have the opportunity to improve and heighten communication with their citizens via DigiLight,.an outdoor digital information system.
DigiLight columns are placed at busy, high traffic.public areas including pedestrian zones and waiting areas to provide passers-by with information on news, events, weather, local community information, and general advertising. The technology is digital and therefore allows the municipality to change the columns' message and react immediately to any given situation, so as to inform its citizens as efficiently as possible.
Municipalities of 10 000 residents or more can procure and install DigiLight free of charge. Municipalities of less than 10 000 are also eligible to use DigiLight, which offers to share the cost based on traffic frequency and its population.
The town of Klosterneuburg, a member of the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns and of the Austrian Association of Municipalities, is among those municipalities having already installed DigiLight columns.
Austrian local authorities and CEMR
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has two member associations in Austria: the Austrian Association of Municipalities (ésterreichischer Gemeindebund) and the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns (ésterreichischer Städtebund).
Both associations have the constitutional right and obligation to take part in the decision-making process at the national and European levels.
Together, the two associations represent the interests of local government in negotiations over the sharing of budgetary funds and taxing rights, known as revenue sharing, between the federal government, the provinces and the local authorities.
The Austrian associations also advocate reinforced local self-government in their country and across Europe, all-the-while influencing national and European legislation of interest to local authorities.
The Austrian Association of Municipalities represents 2 345 local authorities, which excludes the country's biggest cities. Indeed, 'given the Austrian landscape with its many mountains and valleys, our clear focus lies with municipalities in rural areas," explains Helmut Moedlhammer, President of the Association of Municipalities since 1999 and Mayor of the Municipality of Hallwang. 'Rural development goes hand in hand with modern technology and active citizenship. In rural Austria, enterprises and innovative businesses are as important as tourism, agriculture and the service sector."
The Austrian Association of Cities and Towns has 246 members, including cities of more than 10 000 inhabitants. Its President is Michael Häupl, Mayor and Governor of Vienna and President of CEMR from 2004 to 2010. As CEMR President, Häupl notably fought for the full recognition of local and regional authorities at the European level, and notably with regards to the recently adopted Lisbon Treaty.
Local and regional government in Austria
Austria is a federal republic composed of municipalities (Gemeinden) and federal states (Bundesländer). There are a total of 2 357 local authorities and nine federal states.
Austria's sphere of local government is composed mostly of towns and municipalities as there are few communities with more than a few thousand inhabitants.
rn
Climate, Sustainable Finance Officer
