The dangers of nuclear tests


The Neutral Space - Uno City

The UN city reveal the way Vienna perceivesorganizations and Austria's role within the
itself as a platform for internationalUnited Nations. The exhibition was
meetings at the heart of a united Europe. Ainaugurated on by Michael Häupl, the mayor
long-standing tradition by the way, as muchof Vienna, and Antonio Costa, director
of the world's history has been and continuesgeneral of the United Nations in Vienna.
to be made-up here. Three different culturesMichael Häupl in his address pointed out
intersect here whose idiosyncrasies havethat the city's international and
created a distinct atmosphere at the centrecosmopolitan character was largely due to the
of Europe to which numerous summit meetingsexistence of UN City. As a young man he had
and international congresses held in Viennabeen proud to learn that Vienna had been
since the mid 20th century bear vividawarded such an important landmark role and
testimony.to this day he was proud to see how many UN
institutions the city was hosting.
The Vienna International Center, also knownCooperation with the UN was good he stressed
as the UN City, is one of the four officialand he hoped that international staff at the
locations of the United Nations, in additionUN  City  felt  at  home  in  Vienna.
to New York, Geneva and Nairobi. Multilingual
guides from different countries inform youThe VIC which has been designed by Austrian
about the work of the United Nations and thearchitect Johann Staber, was built between
many tasks of the organizations located here.1973 and 1979 just north of the river Danube.
In it six Y-shaped office towers surround a
The creation of the UN City in the mid-1970scylindrical conference building for a total
made Vienna the third seat of the Unitedfloor area of 230,000 square meters. The
Nations after New York and Zurich. Popularhighest tower stands 120 meters tall, having
wisdom held that this was an important part28 floors. About 5,000 people work at the
of Austria's defense strategy during the ColdVIC, which also offers catering, banking,
War: though Austria was officially neutral,postal and shopping facilities. Larger
it was believed that Warsaw Pact troops wouldconferences can be accommodated in the
be less likely to invade a city with a largeneighboring Austria Center Vienna a
international  population.conference and exhibition centre with a
capacity of 6000.The VIC is an
To commemorate the "25 years Viennaextraterritorial  area.
International Centre" has staged an
exhibition in the arcades of the Vienna CityComplementing the ongoing Asbestos removal
Hall which grants a general idea of the VICsworks in the VIC, a new conference building
origins and day-to-day business whileto be opened in 2008, is being constructed
providing information on residentnear the southern perimeter of the campus.



1 A B C 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90