Cities everywhere are rethinking their relationship with water. How can this transformation process be successful? Where will the water-oriented urban spaces of tomorrow emerge, and who will bring them to life? The international conference “WATER_CITY WHERE NEXT?” will gather experts from the fields of planning, research and practice on 28 and 29 September 2026.
Waterfront areas as a driving force for urban development
In Hamburg, waterfronts not only shape the cityscape, they also play a key role in the further development of the Hanseatic city. To mark this occasion, the City of Hamburg is inviting planners, (landscape) architects, students and administrative staff from other ‘Water Cities’ to meet and discuss challenges in urban and open-space planning.
Speakers, amongst others
Basel Barbara Buser, Baubüro in situ; Bratislava Petra Marko, Metropolitan Institute; Copenhagen Lars Jensen, City Architect; Geneva Kristian Borret, Cantonal Urban Planner; London Patrick Scally, Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust; Marseille Vincent Fouchier, Aix-Marseille-Provence Region (tbc); Milan Prof. Paola Viganò, StudioPaolaViganò; New York Sanjukta Sen, fieldoperations; Prague Petr Janda, petrjanda/brainwork; Rotterdam Prof. Adriaan Geuze, West 8; Zurich Prof. Günther Vogt, VOGT Landscape
Discover Hamburg’s waterfront areas!
Public guided tours on the first day of the conference invite to explore HafenCity, the Bille basin, the Grasbrook and the inner-city canals on foot, by boat or by bike.
Further information and registration
- Opening: Monday 28 September from 7 pm
- Presentations and discussions: Tuesday 29 September from 9 am to 5 pm
- Location: Gleishalle Oberhafen, Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Register for free and now at www.hamburg.de/go/watercity