Copenhagen has become the second city
in the world to hold this triennially awarded title designated to the UIA World
Congress of Architects host city.
The congress, which is expected to attract
up to 10,000 delegates, will take place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen from
2-6 July 2023. Copenhagen was awarded the congress after presenting an ‘ambitious
Nordic bid’ with the theme ‘Sustainable futures’.
“We are very excited to see Copenhagen
take on the title of UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture, which is a nod
to the city’s strong architectural legacy and its focus on sustainable
solutions and human-centred design,” said Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO at Wonderful
Copenhagen, Copenhagen’s official tourism organisation.
“The title is also the result of
Copenhagen hosting the 2023 UIA World Congress of Architects. Being a popular
congress destination, Copenhagen won the bid to host the UIA congress by
focusing on sustainability and the role of architecture in realising the UN 17
Sustainable Development Goals.”
As the World Capital of Architecture,
Copenhagen will host a series of events and exhibitions showcasing the city's architectural
landscape. These events aim to highlight the work of local architects and urban
planners, as well as the contributions of international designers and firms.
Copenhagen’s architecture is often praised
for its human-centric approach and focus on sustainable solutions. This can be
seen in landmarks such as CopenHill, which is a power plant with a ski slope on
its roof and the Bicycle Snake bridge, which is a bike-first urban design. This
particular focus on including and engaging its citizens remains a key element
in the various World Capital of Architecture activities and exhibitions taking
place throughout 2023.
Copenhagen will hold the title of World
Capital of Architecture until 2026 when it passes on the baton to Barcelona.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
