Which city was designated as the World Capital of Architecture for the year 2020 by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA)?

Introduction / Context:
UNESCO, in partnership with the International Union of Architects (UIA), designates a World Capital of Architecture for specific years to highlight cities with rich architectural heritage and ongoing urban development initiatives. For the year 2020, this title drew global attention to a particular city. This question checks awareness of that designation and of global cultural heritage initiatives.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The title in question is “World Capital of Architecture”.
• The year is 2020.
• The options list four globally important cities: Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne, Tokyo, and Paris.
• Only one of these was formally given the title for 2020.

Concept / Approach:
This is a world affairs and cultural heritage question. UNESCO and UIA selected Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as the first World Capital of Architecture for 2020. The city was recognised for its unique blend of natural landscape and built environment, as well as its role in hosting major international events. The approach is to recall this specific announcement instead of selecting one of the traditional architectural centres like Paris or Tokyo solely based on reputation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key phrase “World Capital of Architecture 2020”. Step 2: Recall that UNESCO and UIA launched this initiative and named Rio de Janeiro as the first city to receive the title. Step 3: Review the options and find Rio de Janeiro listed as Option A. Step 4: Verify mentally that there were news reports about Rio combining architecture, culture, and urban planning under this programme. Step 5: Conclude that Rio de Janeiro is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a cross check, remember that Paris has served as a host city for many cultural events and UNESCO headquarters, yet it was not named World Capital of Architecture 2020. Tokyo and Melbourne are also renowned for their cityscapes but did not receive this specific title for that year. Only Rio was repeatedly mentioned in connection with the UIA World Congress and the World Capital of Architecture designation for 2020, reinforcing Option A.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Melbourne: A vibrant Australian city, but it did not receive the World Capital of Architecture title for 2020, so it is incorrect here.
Tokyo: Famous for modern architecture and urban density, yet it was not the chosen city for this particular designation in 2020.
Paris: A historic centre of art and architecture, but in this context the official title went to Rio de Janeiro, not Paris.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes pick Paris or Tokyo simply because they are widely known architectural capitals. Another pitfall is mixing up different UNESCO titles or cultural programmes. To avoid such confusion, it helps to tie the phrase “World Capital of Architecture 2020” specifically to Rio de Janeiro, remembering that it was the first city to hold this new title under the UNESCO–UIA initiative.

Final Answer:
Rio de Janeiro