The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (the Guangzhou Award) is co-sponsored by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the World Association of the Major Metropolises (METROPOLIS) and City of Guangzhou. It aims to recognize innovation in improving social, economic and environmental sustainability in cities and regions and, in so doing, to advance the prosperity and quality of life of their citizens. The Guangzhou Award, presented biennially, 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 practical effect or substantial influence, boasting originality, exemplariness and transferability.