Copenhagen – building towards a better future

A focus on legacy has become increasingly important for international association events in recent times. Yet few have been as successful as Copenhagen’s hosting of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2023, which has produced long-term positive change on a local and global scale, generating international environmental and social commitments and extensive local events to engage with the public

Long recognised as a world leader in innovative and sustainable architecture and urban development, Copenhagen has a reputation for designing and building on a human-scale with a strong focus on environmental and social sustainability. In July, the city hosted the UIA World Congress of Architects, bringing together 6,000 participants from 135 countries. The theme of the congress – ‘Sustainable futures - Leave no one behind’ – ensured the focus was on how architecture and the built environment can contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.