The fourth edition of Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award) will be held from Dec 6 to 8. Five urban initiatives will be selected from a total of 15 candidate city management initiatives.

The Guangzhou Award is co-sponsored by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the World Association of Major Metropolises (Metropolis) and the city of Guangzhou. It aims to recognize innovation in improving social, economic and environmental sustainability in cities and regions and, in so doing, advance the prosperity and quality of life of their citizens.

The fourth edition of Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation will kick off in the Guangdong capital of Guangzhou on Dec 6. [Photo by WeChat Account GZWS411665430]

Presented biennially, the award is open to all cities and local governments with successful initiatives in urban innovation. The initiative that is entered for the Guangzhou Award should be an ongoing or recently completed (within the past two years) project, measure or policy that produces a practical effect or substantial influence, boasting originality, exemplariness and transferability.

The Guangzhou Awards have been held three times and more than 150 cities in more than 50 countries and regions have registered for past editions, with nearly 700 initiatives in areas such as social inclusion and gender equality, resilience, infrastructure and public services having been presented and assessed. 

Guangzhou Award is co-sponsored by UCLG, the World Association of Major Metropolises and the city of Guangzhou. [Photo by WeChat Account GZWS411665430]

The assessment of each cycle's Guangzhou Award is conducted by independent international experts. The technical committee selects up to 15 shortlisted cities and lists no more than 30 deserving cities from approved applications. From the shortlist, the jury then makes a final selection of up to five award winning cities. Each winner is granted a $20,000 cash prize, a trophy and a commemorative certificate.