The European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation have announced the list of 340 projects competing for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2009.

Initiated in 1987, the 60,000 € prize is the highest award in European architecture and is awarded biennially to works completed within the previous two years. The principal objectives are to recognise and commend excellence in the field of architecture and to draw attention to the important contribution of European professionals in the development of new ideas and technologies. In addition to the Prize, there is an Emerging Architect Special Mention of 20,000 €, which is granted to young professionals starting out on their careers.

Projects of all sizes ranging from the East Beach Cafe in Littlehampton, UK to Zaha Hadid's Nord Park Cable Railway in Innsbruck, Austria are included amongst the list. A jury of 8 members from across Europe, headed by Francis Rambert will decide upon the eventual winners.