The highly anticipated UIA World Congress of Architects 2023 will take place in Copenhagen from July 2nd to 6th. The congress will explore and highlight architecture’s potential to shape better societies and create a more sustainable built environment. The programme is filled with keynote dialogues, presentations and exhibitions in Bella Center – and guided tours, social events and experimental pavilions all around Copenhagen.
Sustainable Futures – Leave No One Behind
The overarching theme of the congress is “Sustainable Futures – Leave No One Behind”. The content will revolve around the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the speakers will highlight how architecture can be an essential tool to achieving the goals.
With participants from more than 135 countries, the UIA World Congress of Architects offers a unique platform for sharing knowledge and creating new professional connections across countries and continents. Architects and industry professionals will have the chance to interact, exchange ideas, and build collaborations that can drive positive change in the architectural landscape worldwide.
“We believe that a decade from now, participants of the congress will reflect on how this event in Copenhagen became the catalyst for redefining their practices. Our mission is to encourage the built environment to discover new ways to design and build what is not only environmentally sustainable, but also socially sustainable. It's about redefining the paradigm and building a future where the planetarian boundaries, inclusivity and biodiversity are at the core of every project”, says Mette Lindberg, CEO of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023.
More than 400 speakers are contributing to the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023.
Leading global voices and thought-leaders
Speakers of the congress include leading global voices and thought-leaders, who have been selected for their strong contributions to architecture, science, business and politics. Here are a few of the more than 400 speakers:
Bjarke Ingels (BIG), Carlo Ratti (MIT And Carlo Ratti Associati), Christian Benimana (MASS Design Group and The African Design Centre), Dorte Mandrup (Dorte Mandrup A/S), Diébédo Francis Kéré (Kéré Architecture), Jan Gehl (Gehl), Jeanne Gang (Studio Gang), Jesica Amescua Carrera & Mariana Ordóñez Grajales (Comunal), Junya Ishigami (Junya Ishigami + Associates), Kjetil Traedal Thorsen (Snøhetta), Kunlé Adeyemi (NLÉ), Margrethe Vestager (EU Commission), Martha Thorne (The Obel Award), Martha Schwartz (Martha Schwartz Partners), Mette Skjold (SLA), Nathalie De Vries (MVRDV), Nyasha Harper-Michon (Archtivist), Oleksandr Kubrakov (Deputy Prime Minister For Restoration Of Ukraine), Reinier de Graaf (OMA, Office For Metropolitan Architecture), Sandi Hilal (DAAR), Xu Tiantian (DnA _Design and Architecture), Yasmeen Lari (Heritage Foundation Of Pakistan), Yoshiharu Tsukamoto (Atelier Bow-Wow), Yvonne Farrell & Shelley McNamara (Grafton Architects).
Explore all speakers
A nature trail of soil, trees, and decaying wood will wind through the Bella Center. The installation is an invitation and reminder to include nature in all our actions, decisions, and plans, designed for the World Congress by SLA in collaboration with Malmos Landskaber, Johansen Planteskole, and JR Stilladser. Image credit: SLA.
What to expect
The vast congress programme spans across keynote dialogues, scientific paper presentations, Next Gen sessions, workshops, exhibitions of new materials, political talks and more.
Explore the full programme
Photo credit: Rasmus Hjortshøj.
Unique tours and events in Copenhagen
The UIA World Congress of Architects and its partners have arranged for an array of architecture themed tours and events taking place every day after congress hours end in Bella Center. It is a unique opportunity to experience Copenhagen from a new angle. For example, through the DAC Architecture Run on Sunday July 2 where attendees can meet the locals on a run through buildings and alleys, in gardens, parks and grand museums – and get special access to buildings that are normally closed to the public.
The congress days provide 70+ side events and activities hosted by partners of the congress. Find tours, expos, talks, networking sessions, dinners and more.
Explore all Side Events
'From 4 to 1 Planet' is one of the SDG Pavilions in Copenhagen. Photo Credit: Itchy Copenhagen.
Architecture pavilions
Visitors in Copenhagen can explore 15 architecture pavilions around the city during the congress. The pavilions are called the ‘SDG Pavilions’ and are 1:1 experimental projects for the World Capital of Architecture and the UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen. The explorative constructions will greet visitors on selected locations in Copenhagen, including the city’s iconic harbor area.
Each pavilion is the result of a collaboration between architects, engineers, material producers, science institutions, associations, and foundations, all relating to one or more of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
A diverse group of young and established Danish architecture studios have designed the SDG Pavilions, including Schmidt Hammer Lassen, EFFEKT, Architects Without Borders Denmark, ReVærk, LOKAL, Leth & Gori, Rønnow Architects, GXN, FORMA, Terroir, AART, Mangor & Nagel, NOAA Architects, Studio Coquille, Tan & Blixenkrone, ATENASTUDIO, and MAST.
Find the pavilions here
UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture
In parallel to the UIA World Congress, the City of Copenhagen has been officially designated as World Capital of Architecture in 2023 by UNESCO and UIA.
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Press Release Courtesy © UIA World Congress of Architects 2023
Cover photo: Copenhagen. Credit: Rasmus Hjortshøj
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