AND THE GUANGZHOU AWARD GOES TO… KOCAELİ 22.11.2012

The Guangzhou Awards Ceremony was held in Guangzhou, China between 14-17 November 2012 on the occasion of Metropolis Board of Directors. The first edition received a total of 225 initiatives of application from cities of 56 countries and regions throughout the world and the awards were handed out to five winners representing each Regional Section. From Middle East and West Asia Region Kocaeli (Turkey), from Afrika Lilongwe (Malawi), from Asia Pasific Saoul (South Korea), from North America Vancouver (Canada) and from Europe Vienna (Austria) gained the prizes. Kocaeli Municipality won the prize with its “Prepare before it’s too late: Learn to live with earthquake” Project.

30 Projects were also declared as “Deserving Initiatives” and Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kadıköy (Turkey), Mashhad, Tehran (Iran) and Zouk Mikael (Lebanon) are the cities in this category from MEWA Region.   

The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award), which is defined by Mr. Kadir TOPBAŞ, President of UCLG, as “the Nobel Prize of UCLG” and will be delivered biennaly, is co-founded by the City of Guangzhou, the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis), and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), with the aim of promoting the sharing of urban innovation experiences, recognizing the successful practices of cities and local governments on urban innovation, and advocating scientific approach to urban innovation, thus pushing forward the compherensive, harmonious and sustainable development of cities around the world.