Changhua County Mayor Wang Hui-Mei led a delegation to Austria and the Czech Republic to study urban governance and advanced waste management technologies. On May 7, the group arrived in Vienna, where they were warmly received by Ambassador Liu Suan-Yung and engaged in discussions on local urban governance. The delegation then visited the renowned Spittelau Waste Incineration Plant operated by Wien Energie. Energy consultant Thomas Dover and his team presented an overview of the facility, followed by an exchange of experiences. The Changhua delegation shared its recent initiatives in waste reduction, while the Vienna team highlighted its globally leading policies on “waste-to-energy” and the “aestheticization of NIMBY facilities.” A striking example of transforming NIMBY into YIMBY is the Spittelau plant itself, redesigned by world-renowned artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Once perceived as a purely industrial site, the facility has been transformed into a vibrant city landmark.  
 
Wien Energie employs over 2,000 staff members. The plant, once considered a nuisance facility, has become a tourist attraction thanks to Hundertwasser's artistic vision. Vienna aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, with an estimated investment of €3 billion required. Managing household waste without causing air pollution, ensuring sustainable resource use, and advancing carbon neutrality are critical challenges. This visit underscored how art can transform a once-unwanted facility into a celebrated urban landmark. 
 
Changhua is currently at a critical stage in upgrading its environmental infrastructure through smart technologies. The success of Spittelau demonstrates how public art and cutting-edge environmental technology can reshape public attitudes toward waste facilities, turning them into sustainable spaces that coexist harmoniously with local communities. The energy generated from incineration at Spittelau supplies heat and electricity to more than 60,000 households in Vienna, offering Changhua a valuable model for optimizing waste-to-energy processes and improving energy conversion efficiency. 
 
Environmental quality is the cornerstone of urban competitiveness. To establish Changhua as a livable, sustainable, and exemplary green city, the Changhua County Government will continue to introduce smart environmental technologies, enhance its waste management systems, and incorporate aesthetic design and transparent governance practices.